Type and Stress

• Our type preferences can give us information about how we will react in times of stress

• This can be valuable to identify the early signs and maybe do something about it!

Dominant Functions

• According to the theory, each type has a favourite part• This typically forms the core of our identity and motivation

Dominants for the Dominants for the Introverted Introverted types:types:

ISTJ and ISFJ – SensingISTJ and ISFJ – Sensing

INTJ and INFJ – IntuitionINTJ and INFJ – Intuition

ISTP and INTP - ThinkingISTP and INTP - Thinking

ISFP and INFP - FeelingISFP and INFP - Feeling

Dominants for the Dominants for the Extraverted Extraverted types:types:

ESTP and ESFP – SensingESTP and ESFP – Sensing

ENTP and ENFP – IntuitionENTP and ENFP – Intuition

ESTJ and ENTJ - ThinkingESTJ and ENTJ - Thinking

ESFJ and ENFJ - FeelingESFJ and ENFJ - Feeling

Dominant Functions

• Looking at your report – or your booklet

• Identify:• your strengths

• what you are proud of

• what may cause you a challenge

• Looking at your strengths –• What would it be like if you overdid them?

What’s stress like for you?

• What causes you to get stressed?

• What is your initial reaction to stress?

• What happens if the stress continues?

• How can you (or others) help in times of stress?

Type Exaggeration

ENFPNormal functioning

ENFPSome stress

ENFPPretty out of control

ENFP

Described as ‘off the wall’ by ENFPs

INTPNormal functioning

INTP

Some stress

INTP

Pretty withdrawn

INTP

Is anyone there?

INTP

How it feels inside

First Stage of Stress

ISTJ and ISFJ in stress

At their best, they

• Are selective – choosing right facts

• Have excellent recall of facts and events

• Are sure and certain

• Reflect before acting

• Communicate perspective

In exaggerated state, they

• Can become fixated on finding the ‘right’ fact

• Are obsessed with minute detail

• Are dogmatic

• Can become paralysed

• Shut down

ISTP and INTP in stress

At their best, they

• Engage in a persistent search for the truth

• Exhibit depth of concentration

• Are logical

• Are objective

• Are self motivated

In exaggerated state, they

• Engage in obsessive search for truth

• Become lost in concentration

• Accept nothing but logic

• Become totally detached

• Become driven – like a machine out of control

INTJ and INFJ in stress

At their best, they

• Are problem solvers

• Are visionary

• See connections not obvious to others

• Find patterns

• Provide in-depth theory

In exaggerated state, they

• Are arrogant – have ‘the’ answers

• Visions detached from reality

• Are over complex – everything is connected

• Force data to fit

• Driven inward: won’t ask for help

ISFP and INFP in stress

At their best, they:

• Are empathisers

• Think people matter, including themselves

• Are independent

• Are sensitive

• Are idealistic

In exaggerated state, they

• Are rescuers

• Carry the weight of the world on their shoulders

• Isolate self

• Are hypersensitive

• Are demagogic – only their ideals matter

ESTP and ESFP in stress

At their best, they:

• See, then think, then do or say

• Are active

• Are talkative, sociable

• Are straightforward and clear

• Pay attention to detail

In exaggerated state, they

• Speak and act without thinking

• Are hyperactive – jogging around the office

• Talk nonstop without listening to others

• Are blunt and curt

• Are pedantic

ENTP and ENFP in stress

At their best, they:

• Form global pictures

• Are innovative

• Are enthusiastic

• See possibilities

• Are flexible

• Maintain a fast pace

In exaggerated state, they• Obsessed with links between things• Want to be different for the sake of

novelty• Are frantic• Dither – so many options, can’t

decide • Have irrational sudden changes• Are unable to concentrate or focus

ENTJ and ESTJ in stress

At their best, they:

• Are cool headed

• Are rational

• Are clear and concise

• Are logical

• Are analytical

In exaggerated state, they

• Are cold and detached

• Insist everything must be rational

• Oversimplify for the sake of clarity

• Insist on logic

• Dominate by dissection

• Are very critical

ENFJ and ESFJ in stress

At their best, they:

• Are encouraging

• Are interested in others

• Seek to create harmony

• Are outward looking

• Are people and relationship motivated

In exaggerated state, they

• Can be insistent – you will enjoy this

• Can be intrusive

• Ignore problems to keep surface harmony

• Lack focus

• Feel overburdened: over identify with others

Second Stage of Stress

‘In the grip’

Experiencing Stress

• ESTP/ESFP/ISTJ/ISFJ• Doom and gloom attitude; end of the world, no possible way out;• "The sky is falling“ - Hopelessness or denial

• ENFP/ENTP/INTJ/INFJ• Detail-bound; stubbornly preoccupied with irrelevant facts, fine print• Overindulgent; "Eat, drink, and be merry“

• ENTJ/ESTJ/INTP/ISTP• Little things set them off; emotions are out of control and

inappropriate to stimulus; may be hyperactive• Feel worthless, guilty; take failure personally

• ENFJ/ESFJ/INFP/ISFP• Demand that blame be allocated; criticize; "You should have...“• Dominate and railroad others; treat people as pawns, mere numbers