EVERYONE HAS A STORY: Know Thyself, Understand Thy Neighbor (September Blog, 2026)

Communication breakdown can occur at any time and in many different settings.

There's Group Project Anxiety: everyone has great ideas at discussion meetings, but you feel like the only one with a sense of urgency to get any actual work done.  There's Discussion Frustration: whenever you engage in a discussion with your group, you feel as if your thoughts and ideas are not valued or brushed aside with no regard to your feelings.  And finally, there is just sheer information overload: why is it that after a full day of school, you feel completely zapped of energy, consumed by an overwhelming need to be where people are not?

We all realize that we are social creatures.  We seek out and thrive within interpersonal relationships.

We long to be heard and appreciated, to create and explore.  This is probably not new information.  Rewarding as they may be, however, relationships of every type are complex and not without their difficulties.  People are different.  Where we come from, our experiences, our beliefs, and our DNA all go into who we are, how we see and interpret the world, and how we communicate.

Many corporations have invested large sums of money in consultants with one goal in mind:  to improve inter-office communication and efficiency.  Where do you begin?  The communicators, themselves! Knowing who you are helps you to better understand how and why you communicate the way that you do.  Knowing who your co-workers are can help you better understand how to communicate with them more effectively and efficiently.

So, as Aristotle taught centuries ago, we will begin by seeking the wisdom that comes from knowing ourselves.  Here is a link to a personality inventory:  http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test. Once you complete the test, you can have your results emailed to you, and you can read all about your personality type: how you relate to others, how others see you, how you work, etc.

The test takes about 20 minutes, but it provides a wealth of information as it analyzes four distinct areas of personality and then adds a fifth area that analyzes overall identity.  It is created from a combination of the infamous Myers/Briggs and Carl Jung's Theory of Psychological Types.  The four areas are explained as follows:

1.  Introversion vs Extroversion: (I vs. E) This is more than just "shy" vs. "outgoing."  In fact,

according to Jung, it is really not about that at all.  It has to do more with where you get your energy.  Do you find yourself getting energized when you are around others, or do you find that you need to be away from people to re-energize?

2.  Intuitive vs. Sensing: (N vs. S) Intuitives are creative, imaginative, and curious individuals who are open-minded.  They tend to go with novelty over stability and see/feel possibilities.  They tend to have strong discernment in new situations.  Sensing or Observant individuals are practical, pragmatic, and down to earth.  They tend to have strong habits, and rather than going with their gut, they are more focused on what has happened or what is happening.

3.  Feeling vs. Thinking: (F vs. T) Feeling individuals are sensitive and emotionally expressive.  They are more empathetic and tend to be less competitive than Ts.  They tend to focus on social harmony

and cooperation.   Thinkers focus on objectivity and rationality, prioritizing logic over emotion.  They tend to hide their feelings and value efficiency over cooperation.

4.  Judging vs. Perceiving or Prospecting: (J vs. P)  Judging personalities are decisive, thorough, and highly organized.  They value clarity, predictability, and closure, preferring structure and planning to spontaneity.  Perceiving individuals are good at improvising and spotting opportunities.  They are flexible, relaxed, non-conformists who prefer to keep their options open.

Identity Variables of Assertive vs. Turbulent: (A vs. T)Assertive types are confident, self-assured, and pretty resistant to stress.  They do not push themselves too hard.  The turbulent types are self-conscious and sensitive to stress. They are perfectionistic types who experience a wide array of emotions.

So, test away, and POST!

1.  IDENTIFY YOUR FOUR LETTER PERSONALITY, then put a dash, and A OR T   http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

2.  COMMENT ON ANY SURPRISES OR EXPECTATIONS.

3.  NOW,  click this link, and find out if you are more left or right-brained, and let me know your results!  https://www.arealme.com/left-right-brain/en/

4.  Finally, here is a quiz to determine your Harry Potter House.  https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/discover-your-hogwarts-house-on-wizarding-world

 For example, I am an INFJ - T.   This was absolutely no surprise to me, but a big surprise to those who know me, as I come across as an extrovert (SO not true!)   I think this is because I am also an empath and deeply care about and love people!  I am also a J, but BARELY.  I need to feel organized in my environment, but DO NOT open any of my desk drawers--although with the inspiration of Mrs. Cassidy, I have become MUCH better!  For a long time, I would score as right-brained (although it would be pretty close!).  This year and the last two, I am testing as 50/50!  A balance of both (Hurray!).  Finally, I am (still and always!) firmly in the House of Gryffindor.  Now, it's your turn!

(Blog Response is due: September 30 by midnight!)

*Images by:  Kim Anderson Photography,  All rights reserved.