Leadership Development using Myers Briggs Type Indicator Step II

Understanding the DNA of Personality Type and Leadership Development for Doctors

I've just returned from the annual Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) Leaders in Heathcare 2016 conference. A key message from many of the speakers was that leadership development starts from within. Couldn't agree more - but how do you do this if you haven't the time or the resources to go on an expensive leadership development programme? Senior Doctors told me at the conference that their leadership roles are often characterised by:

• Not enough time to do it well
• Imposter syndrome (feeling that you are promoted beyond your skill/capabilities)
• Feeling isolated with insufficient support
• Having to learn on the job (no or little training offered)
• Expected to deliver far too quickly
• Expected to deliver on things that are outside of your direct control
• Lack of clarity over the role and scope of role much larger than anticipated

Through coaching doctors over the years I have found that enabling doctors to understand themselves (and the people around them) helps to manage some of these difficulties encountered in leadership roles. A great way of understanding behaviours, strengths and weaknesses is by using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It supports self awareness and strengthens leadership practice. MBTI Step II takes self undestanding to a deeper level.  With step II you learn how your preferences for the Extrovert - Introvert, Sensing - iNtuition, Thinking - Feeling and Judging - Perceiving functions are affected by specific behavioural facets. Under each of the function pairs (e.g. E-I) sit ten facets of behaviours and Step II measures you against these. This allows people to see the subtly and complexity of what makes them tick and build a richer view of why they prefer different ways of doing things. This enables you to be more specific about how you want to develop. You can read more about this when I wrote a blog for OPP (European administrators of MBTI) late last year HERE. I've been using Step II for over a year now and have seen how the model can support people to review their approach to leadership and adapt their strengths to work more productively within the context they are operating in.

I'm delivering an open access course on the 6th December 2016 in London for FMLM. To find out how to book click HERE.

  If you would like to talk over developing your leadership skills with MBTI Step II, call me on 0754 0593476 or email me at alexishutson@yahoo.com.