A highlight of my experience with Women In Charge was being invited to facilitate a session with the WIC women to explore personality preferences using the Myers Briggs Type Inventory.
The MBTI tool is based on the work of the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung and is the most widely used and recognized personality tool in the world. Everyone took the inventory in advance of the session. Through exercises and small group discussions we reflected on the challenges and opportunities associated with different types. For example someone with a preference for introversion expressed the observation that this helped her understand why she was exhausted after a day of working with other people, while another woman in the group whose preference was for extraversion found that same day very energizing. Both can be equally successful but one will benefit from time to “recharge her batteries.” Several expressed how useful it was as they thought about important relationships in their lives. MBTI is about “know thyself first” and then explore and value differences in others.
The class ended with a quote from William Bridges: “…the best work that is being done today is being done by people who are working with (and not across) the grain of their temperament.”
I have served on boards before and every organization is very worthy. What sets Women In Charge apart though is the commitment to the whole person. I came away from our time together so impressed with the curiosity and intelligence of the women. I so enjoyed their company and am grateful to Women In Charge for supporting them in achieving what they are capable of and deserve.
