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‘Type’ Casting by Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar

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Categories: Practice Management, HR and Accounting;
‘Type’ Casting

Being familiar with your and your team’s MBTI personalities could help you become a better leader

by Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar

“Each of us tends to think we see things as they are, that we are objective. But this is not the case. We see the world not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open our mouths to describe what we see, we in effect describe ourselves, our perceptions, our paradigms.”
— Stephen R. Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
If I were to ask what the most frustrating aspects of modern orthodontic practice are, I’m willing to bet your answer would include something along the lines of “dealing with people.” Orthodontists are among the most highly educated people on the planet, seamlessly integrating academic knowledge with hand/eye coordination and artistic flair, yet the behaviors of people we depend on for success often elude us. The fact is, each of us lives in our own reality, projecting our biases and paradigms on those around us to explain their behavior in terms we can understand. This leads to an immense amount of confusion and frustration when we invariably misinterpret intentions, causing us to respond in inappropriate ways. As leaders, our dysfunction gets magnified the more authority we have, so it’s imperative to study our biases and, by extension, those of the people who trust us to lead and treat them. I’ve discovered a powerful tool that has helped me to become a more empathetic and self-aware leader: the Myers- Briggs Type Index (MBTI).


History
Any discussion of the MBTI must start with a reference to Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology in the early 1900s. Jung’s work involving the main archetypes and shadow self were made more accessible through the work of Katherine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Myers, who organized the archetypes into 16 personalities with a corresponding test, known as the MBTI, around 1944. The test was originally intended for women to match themselves with suitable wartime jobs, and remains today as a tool for growth and self-identity rather than clinical diagnosis. (For further reading on the history of the test, see The Personality Brokers by Merve Emre.)


The MBTI code
The 16 personalities of the MBTI are identified by a four-letter code, such as ENTP or ISFJ. The first letter pertains to direction of focus and will either be E or I, standing for extroverted or introverted. The second letter pertains to how one gathers information and will be either N or S, standing for intuitive or sensing. The third letter represents how one makes decisions and will be either T (thinking) or F (feeling), while the fourth letter stands for how one deals with the outer world and will be either P (perceiving) or J (judging). The full roundup is in Table 1.
‘Type’ Casting
Table 1

The four-letter combinations are codes to help determine one’s cognitive functions, as well as the order in which one relies on them. Cognitive functions are essentially mental processes involved in the acquisition of knowledge, manipulation of information and reasoning. There are eight possible cognitive functions, composed of extrovert and introvert versions of the four possible middle letters: S, N, T and F (Table 2).
‘Type’ Casting
Table 2

Each of the 16 personalities has four of the eight cognitive functions in a unique order. For example, my cognitive function stack, as an ENTP, is seen in Table 3. This implies that, as an extroverted intuitive, I prefer to be oriented toward the outer world in the form of curiosity, exploring possibility and connections between things. Because this is backed by introverted thinking (logic) as my secondary function, this takes the form of debating and challenging ideas to arrive at a logic-driven conclusion.
‘Type’ Casting
Table 3

Contrast this with an ENFP, who shares my same primary function of extroverted intuition but has introverted feeling (personal values) as their secondary function. Their outward-focused curiosity takes the form of passion and persuasion through emotion rather than logic.

One’s tertiary and inferior functions identify the functions we are in conflict with. We tend to draw on them only in times of stress and can do so in dysfunctional ways. For example, with an inferior function of introverted sensing (storage and organization of information), I tend to resist tradition in favor of novelty while relying more on improvisation than past experience.

In Table 4, I have identified the cognitive function stacks for each of the 16 personalities. Next, we’ll do a deeper dive into how these are expressed in the personality types. For a full description of each of the 16 personalities, I recommend browsing them on 16personalities.com. This is also where you can take the test for yourself and learn about your own personality type. The types are divided into four main “roles.”
‘Type’ Casting
Table 4

Analysts: INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP
Making up about 10% of the population, this is the least common of the four roles. Each of the analysts has some form of intuition and thinking for their first two cognitive functions. This means they are independent, open-minded, strong-willed and imaginative. They are intrigued by controversy and challenging the status quo. Because they are more interested in what works than they are about people’s feelings, they can sometimes come off as lacking empathy. These types thrive on creativity while becoming bored or uninterested in details they find tedious and tend to delegate. You will typically find analysts in roles that require problem solving and improving or creating systems. They tend to make good managers or visionary types of leaders as they are excellent at extrapolating the future, but many will struggle in environments that deny them the autonomy to problem solve and do things their own way.
  • INTJ: The Architect. Using their N(i) backed by T(e), this type is oriented toward strategy and implementation. (Think “strategist.”) Examples: Dr. Kyle Fagala, Thanos, Walter White, Batman.
  • INTP: The Logician. T(i) backed by N(e) drives this type to develop logical models for how things work. (Think “experimenter.”) Examples: Dr. Scott Frey, Bill Gates, Neo.
  • ENTJ: The Commander. T(e) > N(i) makes this one similar to INTJ; however, their emphasis will be more on directing others. (Think “visionary leader.”) Examples: Dr. Jamie Reynolds, Dr. Strange, Steve Jobs.
  • ENTP: The Debater. N(e) > T(i) is similar to INTP, but with greater emphasis on extrapolating concepts while challenging those around them. (Think “inventor.”) Examples: Ben Franklin, Tony Stark, Saul Goodman. (This is also my personality type.)

Diplomats: INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP
Making up 16% of the population, these types all have some form of intuition and feeling as their first two cognitive functions. Like the Analysts, they will be imaginative and creative; however, they make their decisions based on feelings and values more than logical reasoning. This makes them warm and altruistic optimists with a strong sense of idealism. They thrive in social settings and tend to be the glue that holds their communities together. Diplomats can struggle to implement plans that are more practical than passion-driven. Their central challenge is balancing their need for authenticity with their desire to belong. These types will thrive in any position that involves people, and tasks that require isolation should be kept to a minimum.
  • INFJ: The Advocate. N(i) > F(e) makes this type very idealistic and focused on making things better for those around them. (Think “savior.”) Examples: Dr. Heather Stone Hopkins, Dr. Grant Collins, Danaerys Targaeryan, Jesus, Gandhi.
  • INFP: The Mediator. F(i) > N(e); deeply in touch with their personal values, with a curious and free-spirited demeanor. (Think “imaginative and passionate explorer.”) Examples: William Shakespeare, Frodo Baggins.
  • ENFJ: The Protagonist. F(e) > N(i) makes this one similarly altruistic to INFJ, but with more focus directed on influencing those around them. (Think “inspiring leader.”) Examples: Dr. Stuart Frost, Mufasa, Oprah, Martin Luther King Jr.
  • ENFP: The Campaigner. N(e) > F(i); similar to INFP but with greater enthusiasm for exploring the abstract world around them. (Think “puppy dog.”) Examples: Dr. Chris Teeters, Dr. Brian Anderson, Peter Parker, Robin Williams.

Sentinels: ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ
At a whopping 47% of the population, Sentinels are by far the most common role. Each of the Sentinels has introverted sensing, S(i), as one of their top two functions, with either extroverted feeling or thinking as the other. They are united therefore in their sense of tradition, order, stability, detail and security, all of which are features of the S(i) cognitive function. They tend to be hard-working and prefer clear hierarchies and rules. They are excellent with follow-through and can become frustrated by inconsistency or change. In direct contrast to the intuitive analysts and diplomats, these sensing sentinels tend to avoid the theoretical in favor of what has worked in the past. They usually find themselves in positions with great clarity of expectations, where they uphold the status quo and implement clear instructions.
  • ISTJ: The Logistician. S(i) > T(e); not to be confused with the “logician” (INTP), this type is very organized and meticulous with follow-through. (Think “accountant.”) Examples: Dr. Greg Ohanian, George Washington, Jason Bourne.
  • ISFJ: The Defender. S(i) > F(e); similar organization as ISTJ but with a greater sense of empathy. (Think “nurse.”) Examples: Dr. Jenny Sun (my wife), Kate Middleton, Captain America.
  • ESTJ: The Executive. T(e) > S(i); tend to be very direct, like ENTJ, but with a greater respect for what has worked than what could work. (Think “CEO.”) Examples: Dr. Chad Foster, Darth Vader, Dwight Schrute.
  • ESFJ: The Consul. F(e) > S(i); very in tune with the comfort of those around them, stylish. (Think “event planner.”) Examples: Dr. Jonathan Nicozisis, Daphne Bridgerton, Hugh Jackman.

Explorers: ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP
Comprising about 27% of the population, this role is united by having extroverted sensing, S(e), as one of their first two cognitive functions, along with either introverted feeling or thinking. This may seem like a subtle difference compared with Sentinels, but remember this is like having different isotopes in the same molecule and as such, their personalities are very different. Extroverted sensors focus on their outward physical environment rather than their internal organization structure (like the introverted sensing Sentinels), making them far more spontaneous and less detail-oriented. Where Analysts tend to be good intellectual improvisers, Explorers tend to be excellent physical improvisers; as such, they can be quite restless and need outlets for physical expression. They are quick-thinking, practical and flexible. They thrive in physical pursuits such as art, sports, performance and the use of tools. They prefer to work in teams and thrive on change; however, they tend to be not especially detail-oriented, preferring what works over perfectionism.
  • ISTP: The Virtuoso. T(i) > S(e) means they will be driven from a place of internal logic, like INTP, but this will be directed toward physical practicality rather than extrapolating meaning. (Think “mechanic.”) Examples: James Bond, Michael Jordan.
  • ISFP: The Adventurer. F(i) > S(e); where ISTP is logic-driven, this type will be driven by personal values and loyalty, like INFP and ENFP. Unlike the latter two, they will channel their personal values into physical pursuits, like art and design. (Think “artist.”) Examples: Dr. Robert Gire, Britney Spears, Jesse Pinkman.
  • ESTP: The Entrepreneur. S(e) > T(i); very good physical improvisers focusing their logical minds on outer physical pursuit. (Think “jock.”) Examples: Aladdin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
  • ESFP: The Entertainer. S(e) > F(i); like ESTP, they will be dominated by physicality, but it will be driven more by emotion than reason. (Think “dancer.”) Examples: Dr. Dovi Prero, Dr. Akash Pandya, Harley Quinn, Adam Levine.

Applying MBTI as leaders
Some great resources on 16personalities.com can help you learn about leadership styles for each of the personalities, which I encourage you to read up on. In lieu of doing a deep dive into each of these, I will offer some recommendations on how to apply this information to your own team.
  1. Take the test for yourself. Read through your free profile and consider some of the paid resources for more in-depth analysis. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, to understand how we see others, we must first understand ourselves objectively. The MBTI is a powerful tool for recognizing our own biases.
  2. Share your results with your team and encourage them to do the same. In an atmosphere of trust, this can go a long way to enhance communication and understanding, the absence of which are primary drivers of conflict. Empathy often stems from an understanding of how others think and perceive the world.
  3. Avoid judgment and “overidentifying” with your personality type. It is going to be very tempting to use this as a screening tool—or, worse, as an excuse for perceived shortcomings. Our personality type is not who we are, merely a façade we develop in response to our environment. As such, it is best seen as a tool for growth and development rather than a static judgment of who we or others are as people.

    4. Author Bio
    Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar is a board-certified orthodontist in private practice with his wife, Dr. Jenny Sun, in the greater Phoenix area. He attended dental school at UCLA before earning a master’s degree in orthodontics from Columbia University in 2013. Sarpotdar is a co-founder of the Orthodontic Pearls Facebook group, along with its corresponding annual meeting, the Mother of Pearls Conference, and is a strong advocate for collegiality and shared learning within the profession. In his free time, he enjoys traveling the world with his wife, working out and spending time with his twin puggles, Chief and Lexi.

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