MBTI in Agile teams: Improve your Retrospective with an MBTI Workshop

Every retrospective feels the same. The same frustrations, the same obstacles – and yet, nothing changes. Your team just can’t seem to get into flow. How do you break this pattern and create real dynamism? Continuous learning just doesn’t take off. It remains a struggle. How do you bring energy into an agile team? And how do you ensure that your team learns more and improves retrospectives? As Lencioni described in his book “The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team”: no team will perform without trust. This is especially crucial for activities that require creativity and collaboration. Every team needs social capital to innovate, learn, and create together. An MBTI workshop can help build this trust quickly!

In the previous four blogs, we explored the MBTI dimensions and their impact on team dynamics. Now, let’s take it a step further: How an MBTI workshop drives change!

MBTI and Trust: The Key to a Strong Team

Many models describing organizational cultures assume that trust develops at different levels. Edgar Schein’s model, for example, outlines ‘underlying assumptions,’ ‘values,’ and ‘artifacts.’ (Read more about this model in this excellent article by Psychological Safety). The underlying assumptions and values are the least visible but form the foundation of culture and shape its visible elements. These values and assumptions strongly influence how we interact with each other. They are unspoken but determine how we process information, the conclusions we draw, and the decisions we make as individuals.

In previous blogs, we examined many of these assumptions. Take, for example, the focus on details versus the big picture from the blog on Intuition/Sensing. Some people think in details, others in broad concepts. These differences exist but often go unspoken, leading to frustration and misunderstandings.

Understanding where the other person is coming from and implicitly knowing how to interact with them builds trust. Often, having a lens through which to view a situation is incredibly helpful. During a workshop, we explore the dimensions, discuss their impact, and examine their origins. MBTI does not describe behavior but rather underlying primary preferences. These mental models help understand how someone reasons while still allowing room to develop new behaviors.

Applying MBTI for Immediate Impact on Team Collaboration

This insight often helps immediately. True change occurs when insights are applied directly. Through various case studies, we divide the group based on preferences, making the impact on group dynamics immediately tangible. Suddenly, differences become palpable and visible. Most importantly, they become discussable! The team learns through reflection and practice.

By actively engaging in exercises, participants experience their own preferences, recognize others’ preferences, and, most importantly, learn how to adjust their communication to achieve better results. How do you persuade someone? How do you make decisions together? How do you resolve conflicts? Through practical case studies, we practice and discuss these topics as a group. This often provides a new perspective on your team, allowing you to see colleagues in a different context. We take everyone out of their comfort zone—relaxed yet intentional.

From Insight to Action: A Plan for Lasting Improvement

An MBTI workshop is just the beginning. The goal extends beyond attending a single session. That’s why it’s crucial to apply the lessons learned immediately after the workshop. We conclude the session by developing a personal and team development plan with clear goals and milestones. Together, we plan how to review progress, set next steps, and define where we want to be in a year. Regular follow-ups and discussions are essential. Mark Your Progress supports this journey!

Ready for the Next Step? Plan Your MBTI Workshop!

A team that struggles to get into flow often lacks the foundation of trust and an understanding of each other’s thought processes. In this blog series, we’ve explored the impact of MBTI preferences on collaboration and retrospectives. An MBTI workshop is your first step toward a stronger team: gaining insight into unconscious assumptions, directly experiencing the impact of different mental preferences, and learning how to communicate more effectively. By combining reflection, practical exercises, and a concrete action plan, these insights lead to immediate results.

Ready to truly energize your team? 🚀 Book an MBTI workshop and experience the difference! Schedule an MBTI workshop now and discover how your team can learn, innovate, and perform more effectively! 👉 Schedule an introductory call or email info@markyourprogress.com.