Me and Myers-Briggs

I’ve heard a lot about human relations skills but I never sat down and actually studied them before. As a communications undergraduate student I brushed over the topic perhaps once or twice and my professors threw in the Johari Window and how to read body language into the mix for good measure, but I never really delved into the topic. However, yesterday I began a deeper submersion of said skills and found it fascinating and quite illuminating.

But let me back up and explain why I have such a sudden love and interst for this topic now. This term, I’m taking a Human Relations Skills course. It fit perfectly into my schedule and it sounded very interesting in the course catalog. (And I think my communications background kicked in a bit too).

However, interesting is just one word to describe my first class yesterday. The class topic for the day  was Intrapersonal Skills and it was quite eye opening. Even though most of it was common sense, it took someone else to bring it to my attention and how those skills impacted my personal and professional life. During class, we focused on ourselves and examined traits and characteristics such as likeability, values, time management skills, personal priorities, and our Myers-Briggs Type Indicators.

Wow…let me tangent for a second. Myers-Briggs opened my eyes up to a lot of things. I think if I had type tested myself a few years ago, I would have been able to understand my work environment, and myself much more and been able to make more significant and productive situations and relationships. Just to put it out there, at this point in time I’m an ENFP. Which I think is pretty accurate for myself at this point in time.

Now, when I first had heard about Myers-Briggs, at my previous position, I thought they were referring to a law firm or something. So if you’re like I was a few years ago and not sure what it is, here’s a link about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators from the ever sourceful Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator.

Anyway, going back to my original topic, as we progressed through the class yesterday, it became apparent that intra- and interpersonal skills are key to Student Affairs. However, for myself, and what seemed many of my fellow practitioners, we tended to focus on the interpersonal skills. Honestly, how often do we, as professionals, work on communication styles, team building, and professional ethics? How often are professional development workshops being offered to better us at our functional areas? Almost on a daily basis. 

Now, on the flip side, how often do we reflect and make sure our own values, time management, health, and views are in order? Just think, how many times do I skip lunch or do a “working lunch” to make sure I’m available to the students, or come in early or stay late over hours for a student organization and event or maybe answer emails and texts from students and co-workers at 2:30 AM? I do all these on a daily basis, putting the students and job as a priority. I think it’s the inherent nature built within Student Affairs professionals.

Going through those exercises and readings yesterday really made me realize that not only should there be work on the interpersonal skills but also the intrapersonal skills. We need to hone the skills in both areas in order to be able to help, lead and advise others. If you are not able to take care of yourself and understand yourself then there’s really no way you can truly help others. It’s common sense honestly, but most of us avoid it or put it to the back burner for a later day.

So a recap:

We need to focus on Intrapersonal skills just as much as Interpersonal skills: YES

Is this common sense?: YES

Is this said many times?: YES

Have you heard this before?: PROBABLY

Do we actually adhere to it?: NO

Will you hear it this time?: HOPEFULLY

I sure plan on making more of an effort of a healthy balance and honing both sets of skills.