Unveiling Personality: Comparing MBTI and the InterStrength Approach

Beyond Personality Types

ℹ️ Introduction

Welcome to another episode of Beyond Personality Types, where we invite you to journey past the surface-level results of popular personality assessments and into the deeper processes of self-discovery. In today’s conversation, your host Olivier Caudron sits down with Dr. Linda Berens—an internationally renowned expert in typology—to explore the contrasts and connections between the widely recognized Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the more holistic InterStrength approach.

Have you ever wondered if there’s more to personality than just test results? This episode peels back the layers, moving beyond labels to reveal the complexity and richness of individual patterns. Linda shares her decades of experience, illustrating how personality types are best unveiled through multi-faceted exploration, personal reflection, and open dialogue, rather than by simply relying on assessments.

Whether you’re a seasoned type practitioner or just beginning to explore personality theory, you’ll find practical insights into guiding clients—and yourself—toward greater self-awareness. With an emphasis on ethical practices, multiple data points, and tools for true discovery, this episode empowers you to support others with more clarity, depth, and respect for human diversity.

If you’re ready to rethink how you approach personality and help others discover what truly fits, settle in. This discussion is about moving from tests to insights, from indicators to real understanding, and ultimately, unveiling what lies beneath the surface.

Transcript

HERE

📚 Timestamped overview

00:00 Beyond Personality Podcast

06:08 Myers-Briggs Reliability Questioned

07:03 Misinterpretation of Psychological Assessments

13:15 "Mindset's Role in Instrument Accuracy"

14:23 Motivation Patterns vs. Myers-Briggs

20:05 "Skill, Temperament, and Job Suitability"

23:59 Understanding Interaction Styles in Work

25:46 Beyond Labels: Personalized Self-Discovery

28:23 "Stay Curious Until Next Time"

❇️ Key topics and bullets

1. Introduction to Personality Type Frameworks

• Host introduction and podcast mission.

• Overview: comparing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the InterStrength Approach.

• Importance of moving beyond surface-level personality type results.

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2. Historical Background and Popularity of MBTI

• Linda’s personal journey with temperament and MBTI.

• Early experiences with type instruments in the 1980s.

• Community and organizational context: Association for Psychological Type vs. MBTI.

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3. The Nature and Limitations of Self-Report Instruments

• Issues with relying solely on MBTI or self-report results.

• Concept of “best fit” vs. test-assigned type.

• Anecdotal evidence: the story of Andrea and reconsidering her type.

• Discussion of test reliability, validity, and common misconceptions about MBTI being a test vs. an indicator.

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4. The Evolution Towards Self-Discovery and Holistic Assessment

• Transition from instrument-driven to self-discovery approaches.

• Processes for identifying best-fit pattern using multiple data points.

• The role of group dynamics and feedback in self-discovery.

• Use of stories, analogies (like shoe shopping), and experiential activities.

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5. Differentiators of the InterStrength Approach

• Moving beyond test confirmation: using multiple lenses (essential motivators, interaction styles, etc.).

• Emphasis on holistic, contextual, and iterative self-discovery processes.

• Ethical considerations in assessment—avoiding profiling or prescriptive labeling.

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6. Methodology and Materials in the InterStrength Approach

• Description of booklets and written resources for Guided Self-Discovery.

• Step-by-step process for finding preferences using self-reflection and feedback.

• The interview process and ongoing verification.

• Encouraging living with and revisiting type patterns instead of a one-time assessment.

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7. Ethical Use and Misuse of Type Instruments

• Original purpose of MBTI as a job-matching tool in WWII—clarifying current ethical practices.

• Prohibited uses (hiring, firing, selection).

• Comparing MBTI’s ethical standards with the broader, open approach of InterStrength.

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8. Application to Career and Life Choices

• How self-knowledge can inform career decisions without confining individuals to roles.

• The value of understanding “falling off the log” skills and stress points.

• Linda’s personal story of career change and environmental fit.

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9. Multi-Lens Framework of InterStrength

• Explanation of core lenses: essential motivators, interaction styles, cognitive dynamics, intentional drivers.

• Real-life application: how different lenses provide a richer understanding.

• Importance of context—when and how patterns emerge or change.

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10. The Value of Time and Openness in Self-Discovery

• Encouragement to take time and revisit self-discovery.

• Living with type patterns and the iterative nature of best fit.

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11. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

• Moving beyond labels and quick assessments.

• Integrating multiple data points, dialogue, and feedback for ethical and effective practice.

• Empowering practitioners to trust the process and respect complexity.

• Invitation to listeners for continued learning and engagement with the podcast.