What your Myers-Brigg personality type says about you as an event organiser: Part 3

The MBTI framework is a great tool to better understand our natural inclinations as an event organiser. Rather than defining certain traits for a successful event planner which is really limiting, why not understand how each and every one of us can contribute what we do best naturally. It is not about finding out whether our personality is suitable for event planning. Rather, it is about understanding how we work best.

 

ISTJ: Logistician

Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted.

Strengths: The conscientious ISTJ event planner is that event planner you can count on to deliver a smooth-running event. Detail-oriented and logical, the ISTJ event planner’s systematic way of operation will make event planning more efficient. Working with the ISTJ event planner is also slightly more predictable, as they know how to set clear expectations.

Weaknesses: Although it is easier to work with the ISTJ for most event planners, those that fail to work up to expectations of the ISTJ event planner can find themselves in a highly unpleasant situation. Also, working with the ISTJ event planner can get dull socially due to their lack of sensitivity. ISTJ event planners should try to be more aware of the dynamics around them. This can help them understand the needs of their clients and the event better, mitigate subordinate’s displeasure and conflict, as well as improve working relations with suppliers.

The ISTJ event planner would also do well to be more creative and open in their thinking. Their penchant for doing things according to the books may cause them to be inflexible and short-sighted, which is disastrous for event planners who need to be able to respond to the inevitable last-minute problems. Don’t expect the ISTJ event planner to be the idea generator of the group, but rather the event planner to foresee disaster from miles away.

 

ISFJ: Defender

Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones.

Strengths: ISFJ event planners gain the greatest satisfaction from seeing the first-hand effect the event had on the event attendees and their clients. They don’t need to be rewarded by a higher authority for their work. This makes them more likely to focus on the needs of the clients and the larger purpose of the event, rather than to seek to achieve certain externally set goals. They tend to have a better understanding of the event needs and how to make it better than what the clients expected.

Their helpful nature means they get along well with the people they work with, and for an event planner, this is extremely important as the number of partnerships and reliance on external suppliers and people are countless. Being able to sustain a frictionless environment can do wonders to the efficiency of event planning.

 

Weaknesses: Their helpful nature can go overboard and ISFJ event planners tend to be the most stressed event planners out there. They are constantly worried of the well-being of their colleagues and subordinates, which is added pressure on top of the daily stresses of event planning itself.

ISFJ event planners are also slower to accept changes, making them less dynamic event planners. ISFJ event planners should work on pushing the envelope in their profession if they want to achieve distinction.

 

ESTJ: Executive

Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing things – or people.

Strengths: Like the ISTJ, ESTJ event planners know how to create order and and clear expectations in the workplace but their extroverted personalities mean that ESTJ event planners tend to take the lead more and communicate better with people around them. In event planning, this can help to reduce miscommunication and help the ESTJ’s subordinates follow through on their plans better.

ESTJs don’t take shortcuts and will do things the right way (at least according to the books) and these event planners can be relied upon to deliver what they promise. They give their event clients a better peace of mind and thus, can form long-lasting business relationships.

Weaknesses: ESTJ event planners tend to micromanage, leading to a pileup of stress that event planners should all strive to minimise. However, unlike the ISFJ, ESTJ event planners know how to delegate their work and cooperate with the people around them.

ESTJ are also an inflexible bunch and this can hinder great event planning, which requires being creative in solving solutions and coming up with great event ideas. ESTJ event planners need to surround themselves with very creative colleagues and subordinates. In this environment they will thrive by being the natural leader, keeping ideas in order and alignment with client needs and being the devil’s advocate.

 

ESFJ: Consul

Extraordinarily caring, social and popular people, always eager to help.

Strengths: ESFJ event planners have no problem navigating rules, hierarchy and people. They know how to make these work for their benefits, but are still careful not to push them. For ESFJ event planners, following the rules can help to reduce miscommunication, make navigating the workplace easier for subordinates and minimise unexpected developments.

People are always happy to work harder and better for an ESFJ. But this is only because ESFJ have helped them in the past and shown to be worthy of their respect. Teamwork and social harmony prevails where an ESFJ event planner is and this makes event planning that much smoother.

Weaknesses: ESFJ’s sensitivity to people around them as well as their need for social harmony mean that they can get unduly stressed when things go awry. They fare worse when they are working with people who dislike them. Their sensitivity of their status and popularity will cause them to shy away from conflict. For event planners, this may mean shying away from problems that have to be solved, causing these problems to magnify until it is too late. While ESFJ event planners work hard and are conscientious, their sensitivity can cause them to prioritise their personal issues over their clients’ professional needs.

 

Of course, event planners do not exclusively fit into neat categories. They can span different personality types. Furthermore, personalities do not demonstrate skills which are even more important for event planners. Personalities are great for telling us our natural inclinations and what we need to work on.

 

Stay tuned to Part 4 for more analysis for other personality types and read up on Part 1 & 2!

Credits to 16personalities.com for the general analysis of each personality type