When ancient mariners needed to determine their location at sea, they used a method called "triangulation." Simply finding the North Star was not enough—they used two additional compass points to determine their precise location. One point on its own was unreliable.
Personality type is similar. All too often people rely on one “star”—usually their MBTI® results—to determine their best-fit type code. They do not take into account that the MBTI and similar instruments are accurate only about 70% of the time. They may not realize it’s important to have other datapoints to draw on before deciding which type code fits them best.
Our unique approach utilizes "triangulation"—relying on multiple models to get at and reveal a person's best-fit personality type code.
When we explore type from more than one angle, we increase the likelihood of getting a best fit. Using triangulation, we can pinpoint our position with greater accuracy if we rely on multiple reference points. Thus, our triangulation method scrutinizes different aspects of personality via three models: temperament, interaction styles and cognitive processes. (The MBTI® instrument is an additional datapoint related to the cognitive processes.)
Triangulation helps people discover aspects of themselves reflected differently through each model. You see, we human beings possess the unfortunate habit of generalizing whenever we categorize, and these generalizations soon begin to resemble limitations. By using multiple models, we prevent people from getting pigeonholed or put in a box, which all too often happens with personality type.
See "Using Multiple Models to Explore Psychological Type" by Dario Nardi.
"Multiple Models" diagram copyright Interstrength Associates. Used with permission.
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