How To Capitalize On The Strengths Of Your Personality Types As A Couple?

To succeed in any of the areas in life, you must first be able to identify and capitalise on the strengths of your personality type. The most popular and trusted theory of personality types is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) personality framework. 

MBTI®) uses a self-report questionnaire that categorises people into different psychological preferences based on how they perceive things and make decisions in life. 

It will also help you to make a strategy to strengthen your weak areas.

Understanding personalities and capitalising on their strengths can also be instrumental in forging stronger relationships. 

It is not that you should always try to find people who have similar personality traits as you. People with differing personality traits can be extremely beneficial as they allow us to view situations from a different perspective altogether.

It also means that your partner may not be trying to drive you crazy on purpose. It is just that they see the world in a different way.

Let's discuss the preference pairs over here in the light of how they think and approach things.

Couples and Basic Personality Types

Basically, there are 8 personality preferences in the MBTI® framework:
1. Extraversion (E)

2. Introversion (I) 
3. Sensing (S) 
4. Intuition (N) 
5. Thinking (T) 
6. Feeling (F) 
7. Judging (J) 
8. Perceiving (P)
   
   

These 8 preferences are further arranged into 4 pairs of opposites. Now, think about the preferences that you can identify with more readily. You’ll find that performing acts that relate with your preference types come naturally to you, whereas the corollary is also true.   

The flow of your energy is often directed to the tasks that are closest to your preference type.     

Haven’t you heard the terms Extraversion (E) and Introversion (I) being used so frequently during social conversations?

Extraversion is a stereotypical consideration when referring to loud and talkative types of people. Introversion is quite the opposite.   

But, in the MBTI® framework we call it stereotypes and hence inapplicable. For each of us, there are certain tasks that come naturally. These tasks energize us, whereas there are certain tasks that drain energy out of us. Identifying these basic differences in our approach can be quite helpful as a couple.   

Extroverts and Introverts as couples
People with Extraversion  (E) preference are often action oriented. Their strength lies in engaging with tasks head-on and communicating freely.  While discussing problems with their partners, the Es would want to talk things over as soon as possible. And this particular personality trait is quite helpful in proactively dealing with a potentially explosive situation.  

People with Introversion (I) preference are more into reflection and introspection. So, in contrast, an Introvert may need some time to process the information internally before acting upon it.  

Hence, for better communication, the extrovert should give his/her introverted partner some time to reflect before wanting a reply or action. This would also ensure that the final action or decision is better thought through.  

So, if we have a closer look both these types have the complementary strengths needed for a successful life.   

However the sensing types push for reality checks on their partners’ inspirations. They may also make their intuitive partner choose a course of action with necessary “attention to details”. 

On the other hand, the sensing partner may feel uneasy and frustrated by the endless discussions of possibilities by their intuitive partner especially when very few of their ideas are actually realistic.

The people with thinking type preference generally like straightforward communication. They don’t like ambiguity and a tendency to deliberately avoid something that’s difficult or unpleasant. 

The feeling types on the other hand are mostly tactful and careful with their communications. They will not appreciate a cold and harsh approach, rather they are put off by it.  Again, both the partners can capitalize on their individual strengths based on the situation and context. 

The Thinking and Feeling type couples

The Thinking type will always stress on something that is logical or consistent. However, the Feeling type is more focused on nurturing the atmosphere and keeping their values. As a couple, they are good at decision making that involves both personal values and logical thinking. 

To the outsiders, they come as a diplomatic couple as the Feeling type can help the Thinking type to present their ideas and opinions in a softer and articulated manner. It makes their communication more appealing for the common folks.  

On the other hand, the Thinking type will help their Feeling type partner in dealing with the harsh outer world and take a tougher stance if needed.      

Sometimes thinking types have the tendency to criticize.  It may lead to a  conflict like situation as the feeling types have a tendency to take criticisms personally and they are often hurt by it. 

However, once they get to know about their personality types and communication styles through a combined report, it can be the beginning of a positive cycle in the relationship.  

The people with judging preference types enjoy careful planning. They have a proper to-do-list and follow a well-designed strategy to complete their projects. While, the perceiving types are the people who love to be in the process. They will manage as the things unfold and evolve.

Again a seasoned professional will say that both these approaches are required to deal with the complex situations in life. You can’t always bank upon a rigid to-do-list. Sometimes, you have to wait and watch to decide which strategy to implement to successfully address the issue at hand and move on. 

The Judging and Perceiving Type couples

The relationship between judging and perceiving type individuals can be quite interesting because it calls for a healthy balance between work and entertainment. 

The perceiving partner will push for gathering all the necessary information that can be helpful in decision making, whereas they provide ample time to the judging partner to relax and entertain in the meantime.

However they have some opposite qualities as well. For example, a judging type will stress more on planning and controlling tasks whereas the perceiving partner will look for more autonomy.

Sometimes the perceiving partner may feel trapped by the judging type with an orientation towards detailed planning. The impatience the judging types exhibit while waiting for a perceiving partner to complete a task can also lead to a conflict like situation. 

In a conflict like situation, the judging partner may accuse the perceiving partner as being irresponsible and lazy, whereas the perceiving partner may accuse the judging partner as being rigid and inflexible.  

Final thoughts
So, you can see that nature loves diversity and it has created us in this fashion. If you are able to understand and appreciate these differences, you’ll most likely live a happy and successful life. 

At VedArdha, we help you understand your strengths as a couple including similarities and differences as per the MBTI® framework. The comprehensive MBTI® reports that we generate will help build stronger and better relationships making life happier than ever.