What's your MBTI?: Analysts

Every week in February we'll be posting a discussion on one of the four big personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - a collection of 16 different personality types that can help you figure out what you're best inclined towards in work or life! Figuring out whether you're a decision-making leader a number-crunching analyst or a kind-hearted mediator can help you slide right into your role and feel comfortable doing what you love.

All done? Great! Now read on to find out more about this week's featured personality type: the Analysts!

Innovation and imagination are the words of the day for the Analysts, who like to go at any new situation with as much information in their hands as possible. The Architect (INTJ), Logician (INTP), Commander (ENTJ) and Debater (ENTP) are bonded by their Thinking (T) and Intuitive (N) nature, meaning they're clever and like to use their own personal intelligence to figure things out. They're out-of-the-box thinkers who can come up with fantastic but practical solutions for any problem; though they're always down to earth when it comes to interpersonal relationships and affairs of the heart, when it comes to grand ideas and schemes they can let their wild imagination run free. If you've got a friend who's always got some zany plan in mind that they're trying to rope you into, chances are that they're an Analyst. If you're reading this and thinking, 'Well, it's probably not that crazy, I could make it work'... Then you're probably the Analyst.

Let's take a look at each of them in further detail!

The Architect doesn't just have a plan B, in case something goes wrong. Oh no, the Architect has plans B through to Z, and probably extra plans in case those plans go wrong - plan B.2! They're always thinking through every option before they go anywhere - they know all the exits, all the train timetables, and all the backup power outlets. Still, it's not that they're anxious worrywarts: they're actually very in control of the situation. They just like to know, so that they can have a strategy in place that gets the most out of what they're doing. No point going to the movies and getting there late if that means they can't get good seats and have to pay for expensive popcorn, right?

Being planners, Architects would do very well in situations where they can put that careful practiced attitude into their work. Working as a campaign manager for a political candidate, a lawyer or an accountant for a big firm, or even working as a personal assistant / executive assistant for a big business would suit their organised minds. However, they also thrive on a challenge, so perhaps work as an architect (perfect!) or a civil engineer would get you going? You'd also do well with a career in the military, especially in the security sectors. Have you ever considered a career as a spy?

We're going to hazard a guess, Commanders, that you already know what you want to see in here before you've even read it. You're decisive people, who don't really think too long on things before you jump right into them - but you're also willing to take the fall when things go wrong, and you recognise that high risk comes with high reward. You're authoritative, the kind of person that others just naturally gravitate towards even if you don't purposefully take on that role. Determined, driven, and sometimes a little bit mean to get to where they want to go, Commanders are people who get things done, even if they have to break a few eggs to make the omelette.

Even though you don't naturally like taking command, Commanders, you're good at it, so you'll thrive in institutions where your expertise and authority is respected. You'll be great in business or finance, economics, marketing or other traditional office cultures as you have the drive and the dedication to keep climbing that ladder. You'd also consider a career in the military perhaps! You love a challenge, so why not try a start-up business for something you really care about - or work as a project manager in the building or architecture sector. Or what about trying being a singer or actor's talent manager for size?

Debating has gotten a bit of a bad rap lately, with a lot of negative press surrounding some big-name personalities saying whatever they feel they need to say without worrying about the consequences. But we think that gives our Debaters a bit of a bad name, since they're the kind of people who discuss through every point to find the best solution. You're a look before you leap kind of person, who doesn't like to rush into things, and though you sometimes say you have to act as the 'Devil's Advocate', it's only so that you can make sure that every possibility is being considered, that every angle is covered. You hate to have blindspots and love to have all the information you can at your fingertips so that you can be sure that your opinion is well-researched and informative - so you can help others be informed as well.

Curious, inventive people like Debaters should head towards careers that engage them with people and allow them to flex their cleverness and ferocity. Protective, fast-thinking people could do well as a police officer, paramedic or firefighter, since you're cool under pressure and do everything you can to help other people. By that token, you'd be great as a lawyer or advocate for social causes, and you'd also be great as a politician. Have you ever considered being a speechwriter, if you like being a little more out of the limelight? Since you love researching, you'd be great doing that or writing a blog or other soapbox where you can get the information out to the masses. Try being a journalist!

The Logician (not to be confused with the Logistician in the Sentinel camp) is a bit unconventional and sometimes can be seen as a little bit strange. They were described by their teachers and coworkers as always solving problems a little outside of the box, and while they can be a little hard to get along with - they do enjoy being by themselves and sometimes normal people can get to them - they're great to have in a pinch since their creative solutions to things can really come in clutch. A little kooky, a little spooky, a little strange, they like to experiment and almost never do things the "easy" way.

It's hard to recommend a job path for someone who's so accustomed to bucking trends, but we'll do our best: consider roles that allow for creativity, change and something new every day, like being an inventor or a web developer or a product tester. Engineering could definitely suit this mind, considering they don't mind being on their own for long hours until they have that 'Bingo!' moment. Philosophy would be great, or anything that requires researching and understanding people: anthropology, market research, or even being a podcaster or Youtuber doing interviews would be amazing. Whatever you do, Logician, you'll always keep us on our toes!

Interested in how the other MBTI groups stacked up? Check them out here: