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Being an ISFJ Leader

In leadership, who you are can influence how you lead. According to the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, I am an ISFJ (Cherry & Morrin, 2023). This essay is a journey through my experiences as a leader, father, and son. I moved to Canada with my wife, two-and-a-half-year-old son, eighty-three-year-old mother, and two little dogs. I invite you to explore my takeaway on how being an ISFJ helped me navigate the complexities of diverse cultures and different leadership roles.

1.      Comparing the overview of the “Protector” (Keirsey, 1998) personality type with my background.

1.1.           My leadership challenges:

I assumed the Managing Director Role for a Multinational Company in Venezuela in adverse economic and political conditions. I was asked to shut down branches and reduce the payroll to half. I had to lay off colleagues, some of them my mentors, while ensuring the remaining team was motivated and engaged.

As per the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Guide, some of our strengths are reliable, practical, and sensitive (Cherry & Morrin, 2023). So, I could overcome challenges such as asking for guidance, delivering to my boss, and being close to the team. My approach was to be honest and transparent. Whether things were going north or south, I never sugarcoated reality.

Three years later, I was promoted to the CEO Role in Chile. Contrary to Venezuela, Chile had a positive political and economic outlook. “While people with this personality type are introverted and tend to be quiet, they are keen observers” (Cherry & Morrin, 2023). This explains why I immediately noticed an adverse organizational climate. The management comprised seven individuals with solid management competencies who needed to work as a team. So, I took a different leadership approach. I implemented an open-door policy; I stressed the benefits of becoming close leaders and addressing the ideas and needs of our front-line employees. Consequently, we balanced strategy, structure, talent management, environment, and staff evaluation, framed in a process of cultural transformation with particular emphasis on HR initiatives, such as training focused on communication skills, responsibilities, and alignment. It was a long journey, which taught me that “More Diverse Personalities Mean More Successful Teams.” (Wilde, 2010).

My commitment to building meaningful relationships through trust, my tireless efforts to make everyone feel valued, and my determination to promote “highly structured and consistent environments, generating clear expectations” (Cherry & Morrin, 2023) is a unique leadership skills combination for successful reorganizing, streamlining and turnaround processes.

2.      A guide to my fellow ISFJ people.

2.1.           Being an introvert:

Going to large social gatherings exhausts me. I consecutively observe, listen, and connect with the group during an event. "People sometimes misinterpret this as standoffish behaviour.” (Cherry & Morrin, 2023),

I had to participate in many regional meetings and attend social events. This has always been stressful for me. In one of these dinners, I had to sit right next to the company's global CEO. I was reticent, and the CEO asked me if I was ok. My reaction was, "Sir, I am a good listener; I am learning from the conversation; introversion is part of my identity." He smiled and continued. Acknowledging my introversion, I developed strategies for managing social events. How? I prepare my presentation thoroughly and with enough time in advance. I also researched the names of participants via LinkedIn and used this information to elaborate on a list of questions to promote more engaging and meaningful conversations.

2.2.           Do you dislike abstract concepts?

It has been said that "People who prefer sensing pay a great deal of attention to reality. We tend to focus on facts and details” (Cherry & Susman, 2023). When gathering information, I focus “on the present” (Cherry & Morrin, 2023). I learn by doing. My wife is the opposite, so we enjoy being together. She is always dreaming, imagining, and going with the flow. I need to see things happening. I need to review my checklist daily and know that I am moving forward and creating value. Being too structured makes me tired and sometimes overwhelmed. I now complement concrete facts and my reliance on details with occasional openness to risk and adventure.

2.3.           Decision-making – The never-ending struggle for people like me.

A coach once told me, "There is no room for emotions in the corporate World.” I have always struggled with this because my decision-making is based on feeling rather than thinking.

When I assumed my first leadership role, I became aware of the importance of decisions and the logic behind them. At that time, I was not comfortable with my personality type. I felt I was too nice and needed to be a demanding boss.

I over-analyze and delay decision-making because I tend to be “very well-organized and need to utilize logic and gather much information” (Cherry & Morrin, 2023). I also consider everyone’s opinion before deciding. I want everyone to be pleased, happy and valued. Nevertheless, experience has taught me that this is only sometimes the right approach, especially when being on the burning platform; teammates are expecting the leader to decide and move forward, no matter what the outcome will be. Therefore, there must be a combination. I must identify when to bring everyone to the table and when to make the tough calls.

I let my team know that decisions must be made based on what is good for the team. It may not be good for someone or me, but if it is good for the team, we must make the decision and carry on.

2.4.           Daring to cross borders for a fresh start

“Those who lean toward judging thrive in highly structured and consistent environments where step-by-step instructions and clear expectations are given.” (Cherry & Susman, 2023).

I was born and raised in Venezuela, where people rarely follow the rules. I have wanted to emigrate since I was a kid. I moved to Chile, where things improved but still needed more structure. I feel better in Canada but would be happier living in a more structured society like Germany or Switzerland.

My preference for structure and clear expectations influences my leadership approach because most decisions are based on facts. I encourage open, straightforward communication and direction based on the company policies, rules and procedures.

3.      Conclusion

After taking this personality test, I can confirm that I enjoy being myself. Being a “protector” (Keirsey, 1998) and practical, making decisions based on concrete facts and promoting structured and consistent environments have been significant in my personal and professional achievements.

I appreciate the strengths my ISFJ personality brings to my leadership style. Moving forward, I plan to enhance self-awareness, balance logical decision-making with consideration for emotions, and foster authenticity in communication.

References:

1.      Cherry, K., MSEd, & Morrin, A., LCSW (2023, February 24). An Overview of The Protector Personality Type. Verywellmind. Retrieved February 9, 2024, from https://www.verywellmind.com/isfj-introverted-sensing-feeling-judging-2795990

2.      Cherry, K., MSEd, & Susman, D., PhD (2023, October 31). Part of Myers type indicator guide. Verywellmind. Retrieved February 9, 2024, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583

3.      Keirsey D. Please understand me. II: Temperament, character, intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis; 1998.

4.      Wilde, D. (2010, December 22). More Diverse Personalities Mean More Successful Teams. Asme Setting the Standard. Retrieved February 9, 2024, from https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/more-diverse-personalities-mean-more-successfulcombine to create a unique leadership skills combination for successful reorganizing, streamlining,