Extroverts Unite

More on the subject of Myers Briggs. So there were about 15 of us this session this morning. We all shuffle in at 8:30, grab coffee and sit at one of the tables around the room. We had a really interesting presentation on Jung and the test and so on. We also did some worksheets to see what we thought were are preferences in the four areas of the test. Finallly they gave back our profiles -- lovely packets with lots of graphs and snippets of "this is you" types of information. They then talked about how extroverts and introverts are pretty evenly distributed in the population and said they wanted to begin by having each type group together and talk about being extroverts and being introverts. Pause. No one moves. Why, because we have already segregrated ourselves. All introverts on one side of the room, extroverts on the other. That was a good laugh.

Understanding your triggers

So, the leadershiIp development workshop that I attend every three weeks or so on a Friday morning today focussed on Myers Brigg's analyses of the participants. It was a riot. The nickname for my particular personality combination: "life's adminstrator". So all you family members who suspected that I was born to chair.... you are right on the nose.
We also got tid bits on what are likely triggers or stressors for us- not a surprise to learn that people not willing to pull their weight was one of mine. And on that note, let me share an email from one of my colleagues. The background is the dept executive committee's proposal to state that basic merit (we evaluate everyone once a year for research, teaching and service) in the category of adminstrative service requires that a faculty member: 1) attend monthly department meetings; 2) attend the annual department retreat; 3) serve on 2 committees per year.

"One additional thought: if we make attendance of meetings & such a
condition for basic merit (conversely, if non-attendance is penalized
by "demerit"), we may find ourselves astray from the regulations of
the Faculty Handbook & under potential legal scrutiny from those who
want to challenge such procedures."

The latest is his threat to dig up his yellowing, ancient contract -- 'legally binding' he is quick to assure us -- and prove that nowhere does it say that he has to attend faculty meetings. Did I say that I love my job!