Victoria, British Columbia, Phone: 250-744-1731

NFs and Change

NFs and Change

By Donna Dunning

Change is all around us and to thrive in times of constant change can be a challenge. Not everyone experiences change in the same way, but all people can bring valuable contributions to the change process.

This post describes the change perspective of those who have NF personality type preferences. Although N and F are letters associated with personality type theory, these two preferences also align to an older theory, which describes four basic human Temperaments.

You may be familiar with Temperament theory from one of the following authors or models. David Keirsey calls this NF Temperament Idealist. Don Lowry uses the color Blue in the True Colors® model. Denise Hughes in Personality Dimensions ® uses the term Authentic Blue, and Linda Berens names this temperament Catalyst.

The NF Change Perspective is Promoting: Champions of the People

No matter what model and label you use, people who share this temperament tend to take a personal and developmental approach to change. Mostly interested in how change will help and affect people, NFs will question change that does not support the needs of the people involved. People with these preferences will seek growth and will initiate and support changes to benefit others.

Questions Promoters (NFs) want answered:

  • How will this change improve things for the people involved?
  • Who will be negatively affected by the change?
  • How will the change be supported?
  • How will this change support the identity and integrity of the organization?
  • Will this change affect atmosphere and morale?

Individuals of all temperaments have something to offer during times of change. People who prefer N and F often bring in the following strengths to facilitate the change process.

Strengths the Promoting perspective brings to change:

  • Ensuring the change adds value and is meaningful to the people involved
  • Considering the affects of the change on the individuals involved
  • Making sure all perspectives are being considered
  • Aligning the change to values
  • Maintaining positive working relationships throughout the change
  • Acknowledging, respecting and accommodating individual needs
  • Focusing on developmental opportunities for others
  • Monitoring climate and morale during the change
  • Working with others to deal with negative affects of the change
  • Supporting and encouraging people as they move through the change

Share your experiences and insights

Do you have any other ideas, tips, or stories to share about interacting during change with people who have NF preferences?

More information about change and Temperament can be found in the Quick Guide to the Four Temperaments and Change.

Resources

Want to learn more about personality type and how to use it to understand yourself and others?

Introduction to Type and Communication describes in detail how personality preferences influence communications.

If you live in the USA, Introduction to Type and Communication is now available on Kindle.

Introduction to Type and Learning can help you find your motivation for learning and help you learn more effectively.

If you live in the USA, Introduction to Type and Learning is also available on Kindle.

Looking for a practical resource to help you plan your ideal career? Check out my book, What’s Your Type of Career?: Find Your Perfect Career By Using Your Personality Type

Want to use your personality type to excel at your career? Check out 10 Career Essentials: Excel at Your Career by Using Your Personality Type

Share
This entry was posted on Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 9:11 am and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply


MBTI, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Introduction to Type are registered trademarks of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Trust in the United States and other countries.