Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #165308 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

From Library Journal
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is ubiquitous. Businesses use the MBTI at training seminars, employment counselors use it to decide on careers for their clients, and college professors foist it off on their classes to compare and contrast their students' traits. A shortened version of the test is even posted on the Internet. The authors have decided to capitalize on the MTBI's popularity by putting together a book they claim will help you understand and make the most of your own type, as well as the types of those in your workplace. They offer checklists for each type that mentions ways to enlarge on that type's strengths and to minimize its weaknesses. They also offer scenarios such as meetings or group projects where type preferences might come into play, and they mention ways to adjust to the natural friction that might ensue. Although some of the material is interesting and well presented, most of it has already been published elsewhere in better form. Most libraries would be better off with a book more along the lines of Otto Kroeger's Type Talk at Work (LJ 1/92).?Pamela A. Matthews, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The problems with the almost ubiquitous corporate business use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)--as with every form of psychological construct--are two: one, the inability to apply "types" knowledge for work benefits, and two, the tendency to stereotype all people into specific personalities. Kummerow and her team solve the first issue in this successor to LifeTypes (1989). Within eight common office situations from communications to stress, each of the 16 MBTIs displays a true-to-type reaction, then has a chance to modify behavior after an objective look at individual strengths and weaknesses. Analysis of the fictitious event--say, a rapidly disintegrating meeting--is the team's strong suit, as are their clear instructions and suggestions for improving actions and negotiating for best performances. The acronyms peppering each page annoy; plus, those not enamored with the MBTI will soon disregard the frequent, good advice. Nonetheless, a companion guide for changing business behavior. Barbara Jacobs

Customer Reviews

A Solid Effort!
Worktypes can be a very useful tool for understanding how your personality affects your efficiency at work. Strategies for maximizing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses are offered as well as tips for dealing with personality types other than your own. Unfortunately, the book offers only a brief description of personality types. For readers to get the full value from this book, it is suggested that they read a book with more detailed descriptions of the 16 types. (The authors suggest the 1989 book, Lifetypes, but any number of books focusing on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and psychological type will do.) Without a clear understanding of the 16 psychological types, it is difficult to apply most of the information in the book. However, with an appropriate companion book, Worktypes can be instrumental in your quest to improve your effectiveness at work. We [...] recommend this book to a wide range of readers, since the personality breakdowns can be of value to anyone from the most powerful leaders of corporations to their front-line employees.

User-Friendly Reading
As someone very familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I found WorkTypes to be a very useful tool. As we learn about type in the workplace, it's important to emphasize that type shouldn't limit the kind of work or activities we choose.The explanations "Using Type Knowledge at Work" and "How not to use Type at Work" should be required reading for any employee whose workplace in undergoing restructuring. The preference combinations used narrow down the kind of information shared. An individual who is new to type, and wants to learn more about it on a casual basis, won't be bogged down in temperament or dominant function theories. Scenarios illustrating workplace issues--Leading, Meetings, Change, Communications--are very realistic. Many readers can identify with these situations. The suggestions given to improve these situations are effective and written in a language that is easily converted to actual application. I wish that I had access to this book earlier in my planning process. Since that time, I have recommended the book as part of my workshops. Type notwithstanding, I have also found its applications useful in other environments outside the office.