Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Email & introversion & Myers Briggs

[Michael D (ohanamd]

> Extrovert: This is the most wonderful party I've ever attended. I wish it
> would last forever!
>
> Introvert: This is the most wonderful party I've ever attended. How soon
can
> I go home?

Funny.  And true.  Or, you'll find the introverts in the corner at the
party, deep in conversation with one other person.  Or dancing alone.

> I live on the second floor and often go look out to watch what is going on
> in the piazza or on the green or in the commonhouse and then go back
inside
> perfectly happy to know that people are having fun (without my help).

Yes.  I go to large gatherings (for example, a convention or a baseball
game) and feel like I put a psychic bubble around myself to keep from being
drained of energy.  It's almost as if I'm an observer from within the middle
of the crowd.

> Have any of your groups done Myers Briggs tests and discussions as a
jumping
> off point to understanding each other better?

I'll be doing that with my community (and in consulting with other
communities).  We're just in formative stages now.  I think an understanding
of this kind of individual differences is extremely important to community.
Extraverts often misunderstand introverts and think there's something wrong
with us.  For example, one extravert told me recently that she didn't think
introverts live fully because we aren't always out being involved in a lot
of activities.

The difference between those who like quick decisions (J on the MBTI) and
those who like to hang out with the options for awhile (P) is also
significant in community.  So is the difference between those who make
decisions based on logic and rules (T) and those who make them based on
human relations and values (F).  And so is the difference between those who
are focused on hard facts and details (S) and those who focus on ideas and
the big picture (N).

All types are valuable in community.  No one type is better than others.
For example, a bunch of visionaries (N) will have great plans, but never get
anything done.  A bunch of Ss will get a lot done, but it won't be very
creative.  Learning to honor other people's gifts is, in my opinion,
essential to the wellbeing of a community.

Namaste,
Michael
Heart Song Community
Santa Fe, NM


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