What is your Personality?
www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp#ESTJ
ment. This assessment asks a series of questions and
provides an individual with a four-letter personality
type. Each of the 16 personality types have researched descriptions that review the details of the
particular combination. For example, someone that
is an ESTJ can be described as: matter-of-fact, quick
to make decisions, organized; focused on getting
results quickly and forceful (Myers & Briggs Foundation, 2014).
Understanding your own personality type can
help you predict your natural tendencies. In turn,
you can identify the ways in which you are likely to
communicate with others. Conversely, understanding
the personalities of others can explain their communication style. This type of assessment and understanding is key to team cohesion when collaborating
and communicating on a regular basis. Consider the
following scenario:
The practice council on a medical-surgical unit is
tasked with reviewing current data on patient falls
and developing a plan to help decrease them. As the
council begins to discuss current fall rates, members react:
Member 1: No matter what is done, the patients will
still fall.
Member 2: The night shift does not do hourly
rounds like they should. That is why patients fall.
Member 3: There might be a small difference that
can be made if the council focuses on change of
shift report.
As a facilitator of this council meeting, it is
important to realize that various personalities react
differently. Member 1 thinks there is no solution and
may be reacting with emotion. Member 2 looks to
blame the night shift and may react by looking at the
actions of others. Without understanding the individuals that make up the team, and expecting such
reactions, the job of facilitator could be quite overwhelming. Beyond that, what about the members
who have not said anything? Those members whose
personalities are introverts may have great ideas but
may not feel comfortable sharing them unless directly asked. The success of such a meeting depends
on the ability of the facilitator to understand each
personality.
What About Day-to-Day Communication?
It is nearly impossible to assess the personality
of every person you communicate with each day.
There is the offgoing nurse, the rounding physician,
your five patients and each of their family members
… and the list goes on and on. Follow these five steps
to use an understanding of personalities to enhance
your communication?
1. Remember that each person is unique. In the
profession of nursing, we are taught to consider
the diversity of our patients and colleagues.
Do not forget that diversity extends to how we
communicate. The timid, shy patient may not
open up to you right away. They may need you to
ask more specific questions or give them time to
organize their thoughts. The patient that yells at
you while you assist them to the bathroom may
be reacting to the emotion of not being able to
move independently.
2. Consider situational awareness. The popular
TeamSTEPPS approach to safety and communication identifies situational awareness as a key
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