PB_MBTI_Step I Exercise - Type and communication

Sep 17, 2026

MBTI Step I Exercise “Type and communication” uses a living type table to demonstrate how different type-process preferences relate to communication. Participants form process pair groups across four columns (ST, SF, NF, NT), ignoring E–I differences, then create posters targeting their opposite process pair. Groups present, the influenced group evaluates communication effectiveness, and debrief points explain how each process pair responds to information, experience, concepts, problem-solving, values, trust, and detail. Timing: 30 minutes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Type and communication

Living type table

Process lens and group setup

Instructions and timing

Poster activity and presentation

Debrief points

Further reading

MBTI® Step I™ Exercise Type and communication This exercise is drawn from an approach known as type lenses. A good way to bring these lenses to life is to set them up by marking out a type table on the floor and having people stand in their type area. This is known as a living type table. The exercise uses the process lens, focusing on the type table’s four columns: ST, SF, NF and NT. This way of looking at the type table fits most closely with type theory. These combinations are particularly important in looking at communication issues (ask people to ignore E–I differences) . Materials required - Flipchart paper and pens (one per group) Instructions Applications -Communication - Selling Type preferences studied -Sensing, Intuition, Thinking and Feeling Time required -30 minutes -Put one piece of flipchart paper in each corner of the room, labelled ST, SF, NF and NT. - Split people into these four process pair groups. | ST

SF

NF

NT | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Specific information | Specific information | Vision | Vision | | Logistical analysis | People/values
orientated | People/values
orientated | Logistical analysis | You can use these high-level description as clues on your flipchart paper, or refer your participants to other resources. -Ask groups to design a poster to appeal to their opposite process pair grouping: (ST NF) (SF NT) The poster might advertise something relevant to the group, or an organized social event, such as a company picnic. -Ask each group to present to their opposite group, at whom the communication is aimed. [www.themyersbriggs.com](www.themyersbriggs.com) MBTI® Step I™ Exercise | Type and communication -Ask the group that is being influenced to comment on the effectiveness of the communication. Ask what this ‘target’ group liked and what worked for them, plus one thing they would change to make the poster more appealing to them. Debrief Use the functional pairs posters and the following points to debrief the exercise. STs may: SFs may: -value specific information (e.g. Where/what is the event? What time? What will happen? How do I get there? Who do I contact? Are there any contingency plans?) -value Sensing experience (colour, food, attractive presentation will appeal – often overlooked by Intuition types!) -be annoyed by too much or false information (e.g. Intuitive types ‘grabbing’facts and figures out of the air) . -value specific information (as for STs, but with particular interest in ‘who’ questions) -value personal service where loyalty is emphasized -be annoyed by false information (e.g. Intuitive types ‘grabbing’ facts and figures out of the air), impersonal treatment or lack of trust and warmth. NTs may: NFs may: -value an appealing and intriguing concept -enjoy a problem-solving element or ‘puzzle’in communications -want the communication to reflect competence and not to insult their intelligence or competence -want to help design whatever it is and will want only enough information or intrigue to decide whether to involve themselves. -value an appealing and intriguing concept -enjoy human or personal communications -respond to a communication that appeals to their personal values and vision for the future -be annoyed by excessive detail and impersonal treatment. Further reading -MBTI Communication Style Report -Introduction to Type and Communication, Donna Dunning, 2003 -Using Type in Selling, Susan Brock, 1994 -FLEX Talk®: Practical Communication Skills Using Personality Type, Judy Allen, 2002 -TheArt of Speedreading People: Harness the Power of Personality Type and Create What You Want in Business and in Life, Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, 1998. [www.themyersbriggs.com](www.themyersbriggs.com) © Copyright 2016, 2020 The Myers-Briggs Company and The Myers-Briggs Company Limited. MBTI, Myers-Briggs, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Step I, t

FAQs

What is the goal of the MBTI Step I “Type and communication” exercise?

To show how type-process preferences influence communication, by having groups communicate using posters targeted at the opposite process pair and then evaluating what worked.

How are participants grouped in the exercise?

People are split into four process pair groups based on the living type table’s four columns: ST, SF, NF, and NT, and participants are instructed to ignore E–I differences.

What happens during the poster and presentation part?

Each group designs a poster appealing to their opposite process pair (ST–NF or SF–NT), then presents it to the targeted group, which comments on effectiveness and suggests one change to improve appeal.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Mercer