This is kind of random, but some of you might find it interesting.
I’ve been thinking a lot about self-awareness; specifically about how self-awareness is such an important factor in intercultural relationships. A lot of the conflict/stress originates from not being aware of your own culture, and therefore you are unable to identify what you find stressful about interacting with another culture. But this raises an interesting question: How do we become aware of our own culture? One way, of course, is through experience and reflection. This is probably the most effective method; i.e. actually building relationships within another culture, but usually this involves a lot of trial and error. Often it can be a painful process. There’s no formula to it, but I think the more we are aware of our own culture, the easier our intercultural relationships will be. Something I’ve been thinking about/researching lately is, “what kind of tools are out there that are helpful in making a person more culturally self-aware?”
The same principle applies not only to culture, but to personality as well. As the ancient Greeks said, “Know thyself.” Because if you don’t, you can expect to live with a lot of stress and probably conflict.
So how do we become aware of our own personality? Again, I think time+experience+reflection is a major factor. But there are a lot of other resources out there. One such resource is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
Now, I’m not the type (no pun intended) to put much stock in a personality test, and I doubt I would have explored this on my own. But some of our staff development during our time in Australia involved personality testing, so Becka and I both took the Meyers-Briggs. I tested as an INTJ, she as an ISFP (although I think she’s more of an ESFP). I read a profile of an INTJ, and my doubt turned into surprise: it was eerily accurate. In fact, I actually learned a lot about myself; it put into words what I had experienced, but up until that point had never been able to articulate. For the first time, I felt a bit relieved about my obsession with research and strategy, my perfectionism, and my tendency to think so differently than everyone around me. Then I read Becka’s profile, and she read mine, and we both agreed it was reasonably accurate. Not perfect, but still close enough to make it useful.
I’ve found it to be occasionally useful in helping me to relate to other people, but I’m weary of using it for this purpose because at best it gives a rough portrait, and it’s too tempting to put people into a box before really getting to know them. Besides, it’s not like people walk around with thier four letters displayed, so unless you ask, it’s not much use for casual relationships. But in certain environments, especially where interpersonal relationships are key to seeing a certain objective achieved, it can be an invaluable resource.
But mostly I think it’s useful for gaining some self-awareness.
If you’re interested, you can take the test here. Then you can google your results; read a few of the different profiles that come up and you’ll have a good idea of what your type is. Leave a comment if you want and tell us what you are (if you think it’s accurate-I’ve met a few people who think it’s total nonsense)!
