Why I Stopped Letting My MBTI Type Hold Me Back
Discover how I learned to separate my MBTI type from my personal growth. Stop using your type as a crutch and take control of your life.
The article details the author's journey from letting their INTP MBTI type define and limit them to taking responsibility for personal growth. It argues against using type as an excuse for behaviors or avoiding challenges, instead advocating for using MBTI as a tool for self-awareness rather than a cage. The author shares how they overcame perceived limitations, like leading as an introvert, by actively challenging their type-based assumptions.
- Using your MBTI type as an excuse for behaviors or perceived limitations, such as an INTP's bluntness or an ESFJ's avoidance of conflict, can significantly stunt personal and professional growth.
- MBTI types may lack structural validity and consistency upon retesting, as noted by Adam Grant and a meta-analysis, suggesting they should inform personal understanding rather than rigidly define or justify actions.
- The author, an INTP, successfully embraced a leadership role by taking responsibility and learning new skills, demonstrating that type does not dictate capabilities or career choices.
- To reclaim growth, reframe limiting beliefs tied to your MBTI type by asking what someone outside your type would do, and commit to small, proactive actions that challenge those perceived limitations.
Two years ago, I would have told you that my type defined me. I was an INTP. To me, that was everything. It explained my quirks, my bluntness, my love for logic. I thought I could let my type dictate my actions. I was dead wrong.
The First Mistake: Blaming My Type
I remember a coaching session with a young professional, Sarah. She was brilliant, but her conversations often went downhill. One time, when a colleague suggested an emotional tagline for a project, Sarah immediately shot back, 'That's logically inconsistent with our brand's value proposition.' The energy in the room died. 'It's just who I am,' she said, 'I'm a thinker.' It frustrated me.
I tried to reason with her, but she kept using her type as a shield. 'I can't help it,' she'd say. I realized later that I had made the same mistake.
In his 2013 LinkedIn post, 'Say Goodbye to MBTI,' organizational psychologist Adam Grant pointed out that many MBTI participants receive different results on retesting. If our types were so solid, why were we so inconsistent?
I learned that using my type as an excuse was a trap. It stunted my growth. So I stopped.
The Turning Point: Taking Responsibility
My epiphany came when I faced a significant career decision. I was given a leadership role. My immediate thought? 'I can't lead; I'm not an extrovert.' That old excuse reared its ugly head.
But I paused. I recalled a paper by David Pittenger from 1993 on MBTI limitations. I realized my type shouldn't dictate my choices. I decided to embrace the challenge, not shy away from it.
I stepped into the role. I learned to communicate differently. I accepted feedback. I pushed through discomfort. I discovered I could lead, despite my type.
The Dangers of Stereotyping
I saw others around me roleplaying their MBTI types. A colleague, an ESFJ, constantly insisted that her feeling nature meant she should avoid conflict. It was exhausting. It became her crutch.
Each time she dodged tough conversations, I could see her growth stagnating. I realized she was using her type as a convenient excuse, just like I did.
I came across a meta-analysis that reaffirmed my observations. While MBTI showed internal consistency, it lacked the necessary structural validity. This meant our types could explain aspects of our behavior but not justify them.
Reclaiming My Growth
I committed to using my knowledge of MBTI differently. Instead of allowing my type to define me, I let it inform me. I began to see it as a tool, not a cage.
I held myself accountable. When I felt tempted to lean on my type as an excuse, I asked myself: 'What would someone outside of my type do in this situation?'
This mindset shift changed everything. I became proactive instead of reactive.
What Happens When You Break Your Type?
As I write this, I still grapple with the remnants of my old beliefs. There's a temptation to revert back. But I strive to remember: my type is not an excuse; it’s a piece of the puzzle.
The journey of self-improvement is ongoing. I now embrace challenges. I refuse to let my MBTI type hold me back.
So, to anyone reading this: next time you catch yourself saying, 'I can't help it, I'm an INTP,' pause. Here's what you do:
- Write down that limiting belief. 'I can't lead, I'm an INTP.'
- Reframe it. Think about how you can learn to lead in a way that suits your introversion.
- Commit to one small action within 24 hours. Maybe it's volunteering to lead a brief project check-in. This is how you reclaim your growth.
The editorial byline for MBTI Type Guide. How our articles are researched, written, reviewed and translated is described on our Editorial Methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the author decide to stop letting their MBTI type define them?+
The author realized that using their INTP type as an excuse for behaviors like bluntness or avoiding leadership roles was stunting their personal growth. This epiphany came when facing a career decision, prompting them to take responsibility and embrace challenges instead of hiding behind their type.
What evidence does the article present against rigidly adhering to one's MBTI type?+
The article references organizational psychologist Adam Grant's observation that many MBTI participants receive different results on retesting, questioning the type's solidity. It also cites David Pittenger's 1993 paper on MBTI limitations and a meta-analysis indicating MBTI's lack of structural validity, meaning types can explain behavior but not justify it.
How did the author overcome the belief that their MBTI type prevented them from leadership?+
When offered a leadership role, the author initially thought their INTP type meant they couldn't lead because they weren't an extrovert. However, they recalled research on MBTI limitations and decided to embrace the challenge, learning new communication skills and accepting feedback, proving they could lead despite their type.
What actionable advice does the article offer to break free from MBTI limitations?+
The article advises writing down a limiting belief, such as 'I can't lead, I'm an INTP,' then reframing it to find ways to adapt (e.g., leading as an introvert). Finally, commit to a small action within 24 hours, like volunteering to lead a brief project check-in, to reclaim personal growth.
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Comments(3)
Okay, this article hit home hard. I literally used the 'I can't lead, I'm an INTP' line so many times in my head when promotion opportunities came up. Reading about your turning point and the advice to reframe it and commit to a small action? That's exactly what I needed to hear. Been stuck in that trap for too long.
I liked the advice about asking 'What would someone outside of my type do?' That's a solid way to break out of the bubble. I've found focusing on the actual skill needed, rather than the type, helps me too. Thanks for highlighting how type can be a crutch if you let it.
Wow, the part about the ESFJ colleague avoiding conflict? That's me. I've definitely used my 'feeling nature' as an excuse to dodge tough conversations, like your article says. It's so much easier than pushing through discomfort, but you're right, it totally stunts growth. Need to remember that structural validity point.
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