My Personality
My Myers Briggs Personality type is INTJ (there is a pretty good write up on INTJ’s here though I don’t have every characteristic of the personality type). Am I introverted, yes though people I work with probably would not guess it. I’m intuitive but generally only in a forward-looking manner. It’s a bit of a process. I am intellectually curious about pretty much everything but I have an intuitive understanding where to focus my energy and line of questioning. My goal is always to get from where I am today to a position of expertise quickly but without taking shortcuts so, you guessed it, I ask a lot of questions. I do a ton of homework, I triangulate the data and ask myself where the flaws in our thinking, because there is always bias and flaws and then when I get to some semblance of an 80/20 position, BAM! The intuition kicks in, the world in front of me lays out like the digits and symbols in the movie, “The Matrix” and this intuition that comes from the heavens takes hold. I’ve learned to trust it and those around me generally do as well - it’s usually right. How does it work? Something like this...
I’m a thinker, not a feeler but that is just where I go when I’m alone, down the ole’ logic hole though I am really good with empathy for others, particularly those in vulnerable life positions. I’m not so great at accepting excuses so like Yoda (wow this is becoming an action-adventure geek fest isn’t it?), “Try? There is no try. There is only do or do not.”
I am a “Judge” in Myers Briggs speak but I hate that definition, most people simply misinterpret it as meaning “judgmental,” but it does not - it means that my neurotic INTJ brain won’t rest until I have declared a position on something - I don’t love ambiguity though COVID-19 has taught a lot of us to live in the moment more and not get too tripped up on what hasn’t happened yet. It’s like that great superhero Tom Petty once said...
I am a “Judge” in Myers Briggs speak but I hate that definition, most people simply misinterpret it as meaning “judgmental,” but it does not - it means that my neurotic INTJ brain won’t rest until I have declared a position on something - I don’t love ambiguity though COVID-19 has taught a lot of us to live in the moment more and not get too tripped up on what hasn’t happened yet. It’s like that great superhero Tom Petty once said...
It was me and my sidekick
He was drunk and I was sick
We were caught up in a barroom fight
'Til an ______ shot out the lights
I'm so tired of being tired
Sure as night will follow day
Most things I worry about
Never happen anyway
Okay, we’re getting a little long in the tooth here so we’re going to advance to the rapid-fire round:
Okay Mr. Transparency, what are your weaknesses and blind spots?
I have a tendency to get wrapped up in time and lose track of the path I’m on. I am always perfecting my systems so they can be in different states of disarray. I went through like 30 backpacks before I found the perfect business travel backpack but once I did, I’ve not been tempted to shift from it in five years (I’m talking to you Blue Tumi, my constant companion, favorite inanimate object that I carry on my back! Shoutout!!! Tupi is not a sponsor but if they had half a brain they should be cause I could sell the $%@^ out of them)!
I don’t pull punches or, let me restate, sometimes I don’t pull punches. If you know me as this sweet, affable, good-hearted guy and suddenly I’m giving you a tongue lashing for that ridiculous thing you did, it may have a harsher impact than from somebody else. Look, the warning signs are there, I give plenty of notice that you are screwing up and progressively getting closer to that line I mentioned earlier.
There is never enough time, I try to squeeze too much in every minute of life. I can be exhausting. I’m a dreamer but that’s not a bad thing. I can be formal but I don’t like putting on airs of formality. I don’t like exhaustively long stories and can grow inpatient, get to the point man, I’m a doctor not a psychologist. I hate drama, I don’t avoid conflict but I get pissed when grown women and men act like children. I value stability - keep changing the course on me and I’m going to wander off and go my own way. I don’t like rude, mean-spirited people and don’t get me started on bullies so yeah, not a Trump fan.
If anyone can think of anything else, let me know and I will put it here... My goodness, this is more than enough - I guess my last annoying trait is I really want to be understood eh? :-)
- I’m an over-achiever, it’s annoying and drives me nuts but the truth is I’ve always been able to get really good at whatever I wanted to because I’m not afraid to do the work and I know that most people aren’t willing to do the work.
- I am confident in myself and my systems but I don’t carry around an exhausting ego - I have boundaries, don’t cross those but I’ll let you know if you’re getting close but generally, I’m chill.
- I can’t handle being around negative, pessimistic people for long doses, they rob me of my energy. I don’t need an artificial bubble of positivity but if something is wrong, let’s fix it and move on...
- It may not seem like it from this webpage or website but I’m a pretty decent communicator and an excellent public speaker unless I have to see a live video of myself on Zoom - yikes, that is panic attack inducing!
- I am hyper creative and flexible. Tie that with my intellectual curiosity for knowledge and information, that makes me a very dangerous strategist - it’s a great combo for product leadership!
- I’m principled, value-driven and have strong integrity. I am not a good liar and I always come from a position of integrity evaluation - it is an important filter to me. At times in my career, certain types of people totally misread me and it bugged me because if they knew this part of me then they wouldn’t have to wonder about my motivations.
- Speaking of motivations, I’m altruistic and not self-serving, I am at my best when I am serving someone, a Board, a partner, a boss, a Team, a customer - they bring out the best in me but bad bosses, I’ve had a few...
- People really inspire me, most don’t, just being truthful but some really do and they are magical to be around.
Okay Mr. Transparency, what are your weaknesses and blind spots?
I have a tendency to get wrapped up in time and lose track of the path I’m on. I am always perfecting my systems so they can be in different states of disarray. I went through like 30 backpacks before I found the perfect business travel backpack but once I did, I’ve not been tempted to shift from it in five years (I’m talking to you Blue Tumi, my constant companion, favorite inanimate object that I carry on my back! Shoutout!!! Tupi is not a sponsor but if they had half a brain they should be cause I could sell the $%@^ out of them)!
I don’t pull punches or, let me restate, sometimes I don’t pull punches. If you know me as this sweet, affable, good-hearted guy and suddenly I’m giving you a tongue lashing for that ridiculous thing you did, it may have a harsher impact than from somebody else. Look, the warning signs are there, I give plenty of notice that you are screwing up and progressively getting closer to that line I mentioned earlier.
There is never enough time, I try to squeeze too much in every minute of life. I can be exhausting. I’m a dreamer but that’s not a bad thing. I can be formal but I don’t like putting on airs of formality. I don’t like exhaustively long stories and can grow inpatient, get to the point man, I’m a doctor not a psychologist. I hate drama, I don’t avoid conflict but I get pissed when grown women and men act like children. I value stability - keep changing the course on me and I’m going to wander off and go my own way. I don’t like rude, mean-spirited people and don’t get me started on bullies so yeah, not a Trump fan.
If anyone can think of anything else, let me know and I will put it here... My goodness, this is more than enough - I guess my last annoying trait is I really want to be understood eh? :-)
Copyright 2020 - Dan Buell, Jr.