Using Improv with Myers-Briggs

[Terrill Fischer]

I have to give a short training soon to show how the different myers-briggs personality types affect group communication. I'm interested if anyone has done this before or something similar. If so what improv games did you find useful? I'm open to anyone's input on it.

[Terrill Fischer]

Hi Sue, Great post you on this topic. Great ideas I'll try out. THANKS! - Terrill...ific!

[Sue Walden]

Hi Terrill... using the language of M-B, improvisers are generally ENFPs... I liked Paul's idea about playing the opposite type, tho would keep it to conversations (since they would have little experience creating a "scene"; in other words play themselves, just a little differently than habit/preference.

How about a conducted story with 4 people, each assigned either Intuitive, Sensate, Thinker, Feeler, and have them progress the story further with that "language".

One significant way I make use of what I learned about preferences from this system, is that in designing programs, I plan some written debriefs that give people a chance to capture some thoughts, observations, etc. before the group discussion/debrief. Having ALL group debriefs happen immediately and spontaneously gives the "Extroverts" an edge, and those "Introverts" who like to think things thru before responding are slow to get involved... and may even miss the discussion while in their processing mode.

The idea of respecting different styles (M-B or otherwise) could definitely be an issue in group communications... especially if the group leader keeps assuming every one is like him, and evaluates them accordingly. Which is one of the things I like about these type-ologies... wakes people up that we are all different.

I'm rambling...
Good luck,
Sue

[Terrill Fischer]

hi Remy,
Thanks for your input. I will post what I learn from facilitating this group. It's mostly college students so I think it will be easier then a group in a corporation. I look forward to finding out what I discover.

- Terrill...ific!

[Paul Z Jackson]

Hi Terrill

Might be fun to have them play scenes/enact conversations in which they take the role of their MBTI opposites. Like Remy, I'm not a big fan of typologies, though they have their uses to get people talking and engaged with certain topics.

Cheers, Paul Z