Madison’s Question to Matthew: How do you see Personality Assessments such as Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram beneficial in your life? In your walk with God?

I became interested in personality assessments in the early 2000’s, so much so that I took two separate weeks of training to become certified to administer the Myers-Briggs assessment. As a family, we have had a lot of fun talking about this at home and I believe it has helped us to honour each other in deeper ways. Interestingly, I married the complete 4-letter Myers-Briggs opposite of me so many discussions have ensued over this. (I have ENTJ tendencies and Jan has ISFP tendencies)

Recently I have been introduced to the Enneagram personality process. This has further enhanced my desire to continue to embrace the insights that these theories provide.

In reality, I engaged it on a deeper level not only for myself but because of the dynamics of teams. I wanted to understand how I could more effectively allow each person’s personality distinctives to benefit the entire group and not allow certain personalities to dominate the discourse.

In the context in which I lead, we use personality language all the time and I believe it is being used to respect and honour each other which is amazing to watch. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle to help a team do the best work possible – we ignore the pieces to our peril.

It has given me insight into how to respect other peoples’ work preferences. A great example is how I connect with those who have introverted tendencies. In working alongside introverts, I have recognized their preference to be given an agenda for a meeting as well as pre-reading. This allows them to reflect prior to meeting and add greater value. As an extrovert, I can engage in a meeting on the fly, however it is never as efficient since I typically talk things out to come to a conclusion while an introvert reflects internally and speaks once they can articulate their conclusions.

Additionally, big picture thinking personalities versus detailed thinking personalities has led me to lean into certain people’s natural tendencies at specific times depending on the need – I believe that I am a better leader as a result of this understanding.

Personally I have become much more self-aware of my tendencies and how I react in different circumstances. For example, my personality has a specific way of responding to stress – at its extreme it never looks good. Once I became aware of this, I reflected back on my life and was enlightened on why I reacted in a certain way in stress induced situations. This has made me aware of my inclinations when being in stressful conditions and I believe that I am able to respond in a better way knowing where I could go if I don’t counteract my natural response.

Spiritually, I have recognized that my personality will naturally engage with God in a certain way. I am a group person. I like to talk things out, I enjoy praying in groups. However, I have recognized the need for me to embrace the spiritual discipline of solitude from time to time. In doing this, I know that it will be tough and even tiring (something that would not be part of by wife’s experience), and yet I believe that it is good for me to embrace solitude. Knowing that my natural tendency will be to fight it and perhaps give up and make the excuse that it just isn’t for me, I can enter into these moments of solitude fully aware of how I may feel yet still lean into these moments – and God has shown up in beautiful ways that I would never have enjoyed.

It has been interesting in speaking with people about personality assessments over the years. I have often had people respond in a negative way. They reject any assessment as someone trying to “peg” them. They believe that they can be whoever they need to or want to be in any circumstance.

I really don’t know how to respond when these conversations come up. All I can say is that it has been life-giving for me. In many ways it has been a spiritual experience. Knowing that we are all created uniquely and have been given gifts for the sake of the church is amazing. Knowing some of the intricacies of my natural tendencies has freed me to enter into aspects of ministry that I am more naturally inclined to. I have seen too many people live life in frustration. They take on tasks that they know need to get accomplished yet you watch at how much it drains them, it just doesn’t fit how God has made them.

I know that I will continue to lean into this learning. I want to live in my sweet spot more and more. And I want to allow others the same privilege. I believe that we will all be better off as a result.