JVR Psychometrics distributes both the MBTI assessment as well as the TypeCoach communication-platform. JVR has a long history with Type and more specifically the MBTI assessment, and we believe the new addition of the TypeCoach platform compliments the MBTI in meaningful ways. In short:
- The MBTI answers the question: What is my type/my team’s type? And why is my Type important to understand?
- TypeCoach answers the question: How can I entrench Type in my organisation / team? How can I effectively communicate with other people using Type? (Especially if I don’t have a lot of capacity to do so.)
- Both the MBTI and TypeCoach require certification training to access, however, if you’re already MBTI trained, you automatically qualify to use the TypeCoach platform.
- The MBTI is a psychological assessment, and as such may only be used by HPCSA registered professionals in South Africa. This helps to regulate the ethical use of Type data but, may also at times constrain its scalability, especially in organisations operating in South Africa. TypeCoach provides a great solution here, allowing coaches / L&D staff / HR practitioners (not just psychologists) a means to provide employees with always-on, Type-based content, coaching opportunities, and insights.
If you would like to learn more about the MBTI/TypeCoach, or how you can use them in conjunction, please email info@jvrafrica.co.za, or call 011 781 3705.
Background
JVR Psychometrics, previously known as Jopie van Rooyen and Partners, was granted distribution rights to the MBTI in 1994. There is a wonderful story as to how this came to be- after retiring from an executive position at the NIPR for the second time, Dr Jopie van Rooyen planned to start her own business. Having been introduced to the MBTI by the very well-known Prof Johann Schepers, she could not think of any more enjoyable business, than to do research with, train on, present on, facilitate with, use, and make the MBTI available to the Southern African market. She believed- and still believes- that the MBTI is an absolutely, unique assessment, based on Jungian theory, to enhance personal and interpersonal insight.
The MBTI has been, and still is, one of the very important assessments distributed by JVR for the last 28 years. We have certified hundreds of people, we conduct numerous certification events every year, we continuously do research, and also use the MBTI for coaching and team facilitation, with great benefit. One of the central benefits of the MBTI is the language provided to understand core differences amongst people. As the well-known saying goes, “what you know, you can manage”. In this regard, being able to understand the differences amongst people goes a long way to enable the management of relationships.
There are those who want to criticise the MBTI for not being a personality trait instrument, or that the MBTI does not cover all human differences, or that the MBTI “boxes” people. Although such risks do exist if people have not been appropriately certified or misunderstand type - the vast majority of people use and value the MBTI for providing a language by which human differences can be respected and understood. In this regard, at JVR we regard the theory of Type and the MBTI assessment as “one of a kind” and incredibly valuable in a world where self- and interpersonal awareness and management are essential in the new world of work.
Given the large body of knowledge on the 4IR and the essential role of teams in making organisations more agile and client-focused, the role and value of type is of particular importance. Not, as a tool to select competent and knowledgeable team members, but specifically to optimise the interaction of team members and their ability to communicate, negotiate, and interact constructively. In this regard the TypeCoach communication platform has immense value as it provides lifelong access to an online platform which brings deep, Type-related understanding and learning to a team.
We regard the use of the TypeCoach communication platform together with the MBTI as two equally valuable ‘tools’ to be used for ongoing interaction with Type, both with unique and valuable features which Type users can benefit from greatly.
