In previous posts we’ve discussed various aspects of type, and in this post we cover another aspect called the Temperaments Lens. We examine how knowledge of this Lens, which focuses on what keeps people motivated, can help you find your rhythm after service so that you can order your reintegration process to best meet your needs. The Temperaments Lens uses two letters from the four-letter type code like the other Lenses we’ve discussed; however, its combinations are distinctive and don’t follow a standard pattern. The Temperaments Lens’ four groupings are: Sensing and Judging (SJ), Sensing and Perceiving (SP), Intuition and Thinking (NT), and Intuition and Feeling (NF).
How can an awareness of the Temperaments Lens help you? The Temperaments Lens offers insight into your natural rhythm as well as pointing to situations that could throw you out of sync. This information can help you let loved ones, colleagues, support professionals, friends, and others know what keeps you going strong during a transition and what may derail you.
During the reintegration process, people with SJ preferences need others to understand their need for:
Traditional strategies that incorporate proven techniques
Life feels uncomfortable and out of sync for people with SJ preferences when there is a lack of:
Security and stability
During the reintegration process, people with SP preferences need others to understand their need for:
Practical strategies that incorporate fun and humor
Life feels uncomfortable and out of synch for people with SP preferences when there is a lack of:
Freedom and flexibility
During the reintegration process, people with NT preferences need others to understand their need for:
Logical strategies that incorporate the latest ideas
Life feels uncomfortable and out of synch for people with NT preferences when there is a lack of:
Objectivity and information
During the reintegration process, people with NF preferences need others to understand their need for:
People-centered strategies that incorporate caring and warmth
Life feels uncomfortable and out of synch for people with NF preferences when there is a lack of:
Empathy and imagination
Your time in service required you to fall in line with the military’s pace—and rightly so—yet now it’s time to march to your own beat. Understanding what you need from others to operate optimally, as well as recognizing what may leave you feeling out of step, can help you create a life that is in harmony with who you are.
Elizabeth and Katherine Hirsh are coauthors of several publications, including Introduction to Type® and Teamss, MBTI® Teambuilding Program: Leader’s Resource Guide, Introduction to Type® and Decision Making, and the MBTI® Decision-Making Style Report.