Using the Eight Functions to Prepare and Give MBTI® Step II One on One Feedback Sessions
by Marci Segal

In a recent Step II education program, our class of six decided to use the insights from each of the eight functions to help them feel more confident, comfortable, competent and commited to experiencing success when giving MBTI Step II Feedback to individuals. The excitement this generated, as well as the new learnings accrued, motivated the group to suggest the type community at large may benefit from knowing their results. Although this was positioned as a preparation for delivering Step II feedback, connections to other counselling scenarios can also be made.

Extraverted Sensing (Se) - pay attention to the environment, make sure it's quiet and that privacy is assured. The look of the handouts is important, so print off the reports in colour. Be prepared to use current examples of each of the facets relevant to the context of the Client. Provide water and mints and be aware of the temperature of the room so it is comfortable for the session. Pay attention to the body language - both yours and the Client's to gauge how the information is being received and processed. Pace the delivery of information to suit the Client's comfort and provide adequate time for interaction and story telling.

Introverted Sensing (Si) - pay attention to the Client's past history with other assessments and with the MBTI® instrument and be prepared to support new learning. Relate the information that will be shared with what the Client already knows. Feel comfortable with the materials - and know which dichotomy is which, and which facet is which. Do your homework and remember that the facets are interpreted within the context of full type. Pull from past experience with other clients to gauge appropriate and inappropriate methods of feedback delivery. Remember your own successes as a feedback giver and strive to have more success with each new Client. Have a clear outline of the feedback process and share the step by step procedure with him/her. Ask the Client for his/her impressions of the information and their learnings.

Extraverted iNtuiting (Ne) - pay attention to the relationships and patterns the Client may make from learning about the Step II facets and allow time for this connection making to happen. Challenge yourself to imagine the best way to get the concepts across in meaningful ways. Ask the Client about the potentials they perceive for using their Step II knowledge at work and at home. Have information available on other instruments and interest areas in relationship to the Step II facets.

Introverted iNtuiting (Ni) - pay attention to the internal visions the Client may have and how the Step II information may be related to further those visions. Ask the Client how they predict this information may be of use for them and their work or home life. Allow time for the Client to daydream and probe for symbolic connections for their learnings. Suggest the Client use a mind map as a way to articulate new connections that would be meaningful to their purpose for learning the information. Use symbols as a way to probe and to explain aspects of the facets.

Extraverted Thinking (Te) - pay attention to the structure, agenda, objectives and outcome for the meeting and clearly state these. Be organized and appear confident. Speak to the research rather than extrapolate freely. When using personal insights, point out these are your findings rather than what the research has shown. Bring the manual along and provide pithy handouts to support their using the information later. Allow time for talk and story telling. Ask them how they plan to use this information to support their objectives and goals.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) - pay attention to the categories and stay in type rather than trait language. Be aware that many people will assume you are using a trait instrument and be clear about the definitions of type vs. trait upfront. Continue to keep the Client aware of the positive value of each preference and placement on all the facets. Be clear on the definitions of the dichotomies, the facets, midzone and out of preference scores and how type development may show in Client responses. Ask questions to understand the framework your Client is operating from and relate the Step II information to that in relevant ways. Ask what other frameworks the Client is familiar with. Demonstrate how other variables, such as culture, age, education, lessons from childhood, learnings from work and other situational factors can impact how a person behaves.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) - pay attention to starting and maintaining a positive and welcoming environment. Affirm the natural energies your Client has. Ask them how they are feeling and what would make them more comfortable. Prepare for the session by asking how they might be feeling when filling out the instrument and in seeing you for their session. Consider how they will want to feel by the end of the session and plan ways to help that feeling to be real.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) - pay attention to your own needs and wishes for the session. Ask yourself, what do I want and how do I want to feel? Tune into your own experience during the session by recognizing how you feel and how you want your Client to feel. Be aware of your own hot buttons so that if pushed, you can choose to professionally continue on in the session suiting its overall purpose with alignment.

As these lists were generated, individual class members experienced new learnings and considerations for their work with Step II and in other areas. They are trusting that you will make similar new connections and you may have other suggestions to make for each function focus.