Hi Adam! Thank you for taking the time to write this. People often ask me, as an organizational psychologist what I think about the MBTI. I think it’s a great example of how what is most popular is not necessarily the most useful.

One instrument I did not learn about in my PhD program was the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO), and specifically the Elements Behavior (B), Feelings (F), and Self (F). This is not to be confused with the FIRO B — FIRO Element B is different (confusing, I know). What I love about this instrument is how it is used — where the belief is that humans can change anything about their behavior that they want to change, and that each person populates their own “why” for their own data. It’s a tool to dig deeper in self-awareness, and I regularly ask: “In what one case in your life, is this true?” — and that brings a new insight every single time. It’s pretty contrary to my training on psychometrics (although the FIRO assessments are psychometrically validated), because it’s all about each person developing ownership for their own behavior — what it is and what they want it to be. I’d love your thoughts on this!

Cheers!
Laura