Judgers and Perceivers at Work

MBTI or Myers Briggs Type and Preferred Working Environments

Mar 31, 2007

The work place environment that employees find the most productive is determined by the forth letter in a Myers Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI; judger or perceiver.

The last letter in the four letter Myers Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI determines whether an employee prefers a highly structured or more relaxed climate to work in.

Judger Defined

Judgers require a very structured, ordered and predictable environment to be happy. If Judgers are working in an unorganized environment, Judgers will either try to organize it or they will constantly complain that things are a mess, nothing is in its place or that the disorganized workplace environment affects their productivity. Judgers thrive in union or highly regulated environments. Judgers work first and play later.

Perceiver Defined

Perceivers like a more laid back approach. Perceivers focus on the experience and so perceivers prefer things to unfold as they will. Perceivers do not like to limit options and thrive in dynamic, ever-changing workplace environments. Perceivers can work in a mess; in fact, they prefer to work in chaos as it stimulates creative thinking when predictability is removed. Perceivers seek employers that offer flexible working arrangements. Perceivers love to play, therefore if work is playful and unconventional, they are happy.

JUDGERS AND PERCEIVERS WORKING TOGETHER

Working with Policies and Procedures

Perceivers are non-conformists. Perceivers abhor rules and regulations and tend to bend and stretch them every chance they get. Judgers love rules and regulations and will gladly recite them when the opportunity arises. Perceivers will question the need for rules and emphasise the need for flexibility around change.

Decision Making

Judgers are experts at decisive thinking. A judger takes things seriously and analyzes and sums up the pros and cons of a situation quickly and easily. Judgers are frustrated by perceivers that seem to take a life time to make even a simple decision. Perceivers are afraid to make a decision that will limit the experience or the possibilities so they can drag their feet in protest. Judgers get the job done, Perceivers are the idea people that start the project but need the Judgers to see it through to completion.

Punctuality

Judgers are clock watchers. Perceivers don’t own a watch. Judgers love schedules and time lines as it helps them to manage their time and stay organized. Judgers like a nine to five work day whereas Perceivers are far happier coming and going as they see fit and praise the employer that allows them to take a break mid-day and work until midnight one day, and then work 7 am to 3 pm the next day, and work from home the next.

Change Management

Judgers like things planned and react strongly to change that happens without forewarning or discussions. Judgers need to see the rationale and the decision making process behind the change. Perceivers get excited by change and see all the great new options that the change brings. Perceivers will forget to plan ahead when change is coming and rely on Judgers to prepare, plan and gather resources.

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The copyright of the article Judgers and Perceivers at Work in Soft Skills Development is owned by Joni Rose. Permission to republish Judgers and Perceivers at Work in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.