MBTI in Agile Teams: Intuition vs Sensing in Retrospectives

Intuition vs Sensing

Teams that continuously learn perform better. But how can you adapt retrospectives to support this growth? Understanding your team members’ personality types and adjusting the retrospective format accordingly can significantly improve team collaboration and learning.

This is the second blog in the MBTI and Retrospectives series, focusing on the Intuition vs Sensing dimension and how this difference can help facilitate more effective retrospectives.

The Influence of Intuition vs Sensing on Retrospectives

The Intuition vs Sensing dimension describes how people perceive and process information.

People with an Intuition preference start with the big picture, focusing on concepts and theories. Those with a Sensing preference begin with specific details and prioritize personal experiences over abstract ideas. This does not mean that people with a Sensing preference cannot see the bigger picture, but they will naturally start with concrete details.

This difference can have a significant impact on how teams reflect on a sprint.

During a recent retrospective, I asked a team, “How did this sprint go?”

One group immediately responded, “It went poorly.” Others strongly disagreed.

After discussion, it became clear why. One part of the team saw clear progress toward the sprint goal, even though it was not fully achieved. The other group acknowledged this but focused on a few incidents that had caused frustration. Once both perspectives were shared, the team recognized the nuances in their experiences.

Having a structured retrospective format helped ensure that everyone’s perspective was heard, leading to a more balanced evaluation of the sprint.

Three Practical Tips for Better Retrospectives with MBTI

• Set the scene: Before reflection begins, clearly state the overall sprint goal and provide a sprint summary. Intuitive team members may have already moved on and forgotten key details, while Sensing team members might be so focused on specific moments that they lose sight of the bigger picture. Establishing this perspective at the start helps align everyone.

• Encourage discussion: Not everyone’s preference is immediately visible. Some team members may begin with conclusions without explaining how they reached them. Ask targeted follow-up questions to ensure both perspectives are explored, encouraging team members to articulate their thought processes.

• Focus on facts: When a Sensing preference is dominant, personal experiences can be more persuasive than theories or concepts. This can sometimes make change difficult. Retrospectives often bring up emotionally charged topics. In these cases, ask whether the current situation truly reflects past experiences or if previous events are amplifying the reaction. Making these distinctions helps the team approach issues more objectively.

Improve Team Collaboration with an MBTI Workshop

Do you want your team to collaborate more effectively and improve learning? Are you looking to make your retrospectives more impactful?

Book an MBTI workshop today to gain deeper insights into team dynamics and uncover practical improvements that can be applied immediately.

Get in touch now to schedule your session.