Compare Myers Briggs Personality Types vs. Marlee’s analysis

So, what are the Myers-Briggs personality types?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a test that helps your entire team discover their strengths, weaknesses, and how they work with one another. It is the most widely used personality inventory in the world.

Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers developed the MBTI test after reading Carl Jung’s 1921 book Psychological Types.² The book analyzed the theory of personality types and proposed four psychological functions: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition.³

Isabel Briggs Myers was an early pioneer in psychometric testing. She participated in evaluating personality traits and cognitive abilities. Isabel felt Carl Jung’s book was too complex for the public, so she worked with her mother, Katharine, to make it more accessible. The mother-daughter duo developed a series of questions to help people analyze their personality types.²

Companies use the MBTI test to understand employees and improve performance. Managers also use the results to support direct reports in their career journeys. Employees use it to become more self-aware and for self-development.

The MBTI personality assessment helps companies:

• Hire the right people for different roles
• Understand employees’ personalities
• Prevent and resolve conflicts
• Build an engaged, collaborative workforce

What is Marlee?

Marlee is a collaboration and performance AI technology. It helps you better understand yourself and others so everyone can do their best at work and in life.

Michelle Duval founded Marlee (formerly Fingerprint For Success) in 2016. Duval has spent 20+ years researching the motivations of the world's top business builders and entrepreneurs. As a result, Duval uncovered 48 core motivations and attitudes that drive peak performance and fulfillment at work.

Since then, Marlee has helped organizations in 190+ countries to improve employee well-being and leadership development. These companies include:

• High growth companies
• Accelerators & VCs
• Universities
• Enterprises

Leaders use Marlee for employee onboarding and team development. Employees use Marlee to understand themselves and find more fulfillment in their careers and lives. Overall, Marlee helps hybrid and remote teams to:

• Improve cross-functional relationships
• Boost retention rates
• Improve team performance

Marlee's goal is to make coaching available to everyone. That's why the comprehensive motivational analysis and Marlee's AI-powered coaching, are free of charge.

The Myers-Briggs personality types features

There are four Myers-Briggs personality type traits that influence how we interpret situations and make decisions. The MBTI test helps you figure out where you fall.

How does the Myers-Briggs Personality Test work?

The test is a series of questions that assesses your preferences in the four areas:

Extraversion vs. Introversion: This measures where you get your energy from and how you prefer to interact with others in the workplace. An extrovert favors social interaction, while an introvert would rather be alone.

Sensing vs. Intuition: This measures how you process information. Sensors are more practical—they focus on existing data and facts. Intuitives are more abstract—they focus on the big picture and possibilities.

Thinking vs. Feeling: This measures how you make decisions. Thinkers have a logical and objective viewpoint, while feelers are more subjective and consider the impact on others.

Judging vs. Perceiving: This measures how you approach life. Judgers are more organized and like to have things planned and kept firm, while perceivers are more spontaneous and adaptable. They prefer to keep things open and flexible.

Based on your answers, you’ll be assigned a four-letter code that represents your personality type. Each letter represents a preference in one of the four dimensions. Your code shows how you process information and make decisions.

What are the 16 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) types?

The 16 Myers-Briggs (MBTI) personality types are:

• ISTJ: This means Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging. Those with the ISTJ personality type are realists who enjoy routine work and can manage their own schedules. This makes them a major asset in a remote working environment.
• ISFJ: This means Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. ISFJ types are natural managers with incredible attention to detail.
• INFJ: This means Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging. INFJs are principled creatives with an intuitive nature. They are also excellent judges of character with bags of ideas.
• INTJ: This means Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging. People with an INTJ personality are natural problem solvers with practical thinking skills who do well in a remote work environment.
• ISTP: This means Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving. ISTP types are logical pragmatists who perform better when they have day-to-day interactions with team members.
• ISFP: This means Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving. ISFPs are supportive but need to be reminded to shut off work mode at a reasonable time.
• INFP: This means Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving. Those with an INFP personality type are idealists who bring enthusiasm to projects but can’t stay motivated for long periods of time.
• INTP: This means Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving. ISFPs are renegade problem-solvers who enjoy remote work environments.
• ESTJ: This means Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging. ESTJ types are pragmatic decision-makers who are major tech assets in a remote work environment.
• ESFJ: This means Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. People with an ESFJ personality type are supportive contributors with a patient nature who spread positive energy. ESFJs make great project managers.
• ENFJ: This means Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging. ENFJs are compassionate natural leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.
• ENTJ: This means Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging. ENTJs are logical planners who enjoy working in organized environments. They are also one of the most common personality types in the workplace.
• ESTP: This means Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving. ESTP types are risk-takers who typically avoid longer-term projects because they have short attention spans.
• ESFP: This means Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving. Those with an ESFP personality are improvisers who bring persuasive energy to the team.
• ENFP: This means Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving. ENFPs are motivators who perform better at ​​idea generation and collaborative projects. They help bring ideas to reality.
• ENTP: This means Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving. People with an ENTP personality type are enterprising, charismatic intellectuals who enjoy finding creative solutions to problems. You can rely on them for the remote onboarding of new team members.

Would you like to learn more about MBTI? Help uncover the unique talents of MBTI using our evidenced-based motivational analysis. Marlee is conducting research to build upon the existing understanding of MBTI personality theory. Take our survey.

How do you take the test?

You can take the Myers-Briggs personality type assessment in multiple ways:

• Through a trained in-house professional (a human resource rep or counselor)
• Through a certified MBTI practitioner
• Online

After completing the test, you discover which of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types you are.

How to read Myers-Briggs personality types results

Interpreting your MBTI test results can help you understand your personality and behavior and how you interact with others.

There are many websites that let you take the test for free. This means you can easily read about your personality code online, often through the website where you complete the test. If you’re an ENFJ, for example, you can look up the description of your personality type and identify traits that align with your behavior and self-perception – like being energetic or team-oriented.

How long is the Myers-Briggs personality types test?

The official Myers-Briggs test takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes to complete online. Different tests contain varying numbers of questions, but typically you can expect to answer 90+. After you complete the test, you will receive your results immediately.

If you take the test in a paper format or with the help of a qualified professional, it may take longer to complete. You might need to schedule an appointment, and the professional will guide you through the test.

Is the Myers-Briggs personality types test accurate?

The MBTI test’s validity and reliability are a hot topic in the psychology community. Some experts say the theory doesn’t have enough scientific validity, especially given neither Isabel Briggs Myer nor her mother had any psychological training⁴.

Also, some people get different results each time they take the test. In fact, research has found that as many as 50% of people arrive at a different result the second time they take a test, even if it's just five weeks later⁵. 

Overall, the MBTI test can be useful in helping employees learn more about themselves. However, it reduces performance to personality types alone, ignoring other critical traits. You can learn more about the test’s accuracy here.

What will my MBTI personality types test results look like?

The MBTI test result shows your four-letter personality type.

For example, if you score high on Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging, you are an ESTJ type. Likewise, if you score high on Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging, you will be an INTJ type.

Apart from the personality code, the result includes a brief description of your personality traits. These descriptions often incorporate information on your preferred way of interacting with others, processing information, and making decisions.

How can I access my MBTI personality type results?

There are different ways to access your Myers-Briggs personality types test report.

If you took the test online, you could view your results immediately on the website. Some sites will also allow you to download or print a copy of your report. If you took it in person, the professional will provide you with a copy of your report and may discuss your results with you in more detail.

Some providers offer online courses or training on how to interpret your test results. This can help managers and team leaders understand how to work with different personality types within the team.

Can you access your MBTI results ongoing?

It depends on how you took the test and your service provider's guidelines.

If you took the test online, you might be able to access your report anytime you log in, or download or print a copy of your report. If you took the test with a qualified professional, you could ask for a copy of your report.

Also, some providers may have time limits on when the test results are available or when they are no longer accessible. So, it's always best to check with the provider directly if you have any concerns about accessing your report in the future.

Do the MBTI results change over time, or is the test completed once and stays fixed?

According to Myers-Briggs theory, personality types are inborn and don't change⁷. That being said, if the studies that have looked into the MBTI's validity are to be believed, your reported personality type can change each time you take the test.

Is there any coaching offered coming out of the report delivery?

Some MBTI providers offer coaching or consultation services after you receive your test results. These services can include:

• One-on-one coaching sessions
• Group coaching sessions
• Career counseling

Not all providers offer coaching or consultation services, so you should ask them to confirm if these options are available before investing.

Can I invite my employees or team to take the MBTI personality types test?

Yes! You can ask team members to take the Myers-Briggs personality types test.

You can invite your team members to take the test online or in person with an MBTI expert. For better results, ensure that the test is taken in a professional setting and that the test administrator is qualified to administer and interpret the test results.

Marlee features

Along with the free Marlee motivational analysis, Marlee offers AI and human coaching, as well as other features to help you build a healthy, highly engaged team.

Ask Marlee "What are my biggest strengths?"

Some of these features include:

• Gain insights about yourself: Ask Marlee questions like "What is my biggest strength?" for personalized insights based on your motivations.
• People analytics: Marlee is built on 25 years of global human data and evidence-based psychologies. It is now the world's largest global database of human motivations. Marlee's AI-powered technology helps managers and leaders to better understand, motivate, prevent conflicts, and communicate with team members.
• Benchmarking: Marlee allows you to compare your results against teammates, successful entrepreneurs, and many global workplace cultures.
• Online coaching: Marlee's AI and human coaching help you and your team develop new skills, improve existing ones and relationships, and perform better.
• Culture mapping: If you're part of a global organization, this feature helps you analyze the cultures of different teams and offices around the world. The result is improved cross-cultural collaboration and a more globally unified vision.

How long is the Marlee motivational analysis?

The Marlee motivational analysis has 40 questions and takes 15-30 minutes to complete. For each question, you must rank the statements (options) based on how they relate to you in the workplace.

The best part is that you don’t have to answer all 40 questions simultaneously. The platform saves your progress for when you return.

Is the Marlee motivational analysis accurate?

The Marlee motivational analysis boasts up to 98% reliability.

Duval launched Marlee (formerly Fingerprint For Success) in 2016 after investing 15 years in qualitative research. She also undertook formal studies in 2013 using the Inventory of Work Attitude and Motivation (iWAM) methodology. The study explored the motivations of the world's top business builders and entrepreneurs. Marlee uses these research insights to help people, teams, and companies discover what motivates them and how to collaborate and perform better.

Marlee uses accurate people analytics technology that gathers behavioral and cognitive data to help you understand how your employees think, act, and communicate. 

What will the Marlee motivational analysis look like?

The Marlee motivational analysis measures your score on 48 motivational traits and how your result impacts your personal and professional life.

After taking the free analysis, you’ll receive the report immediately.

The Marlee report reveals your unique motivational traits, including your motivations, talents, and blind spots that influence your actions. You also get tips on using your affinities and the power of difference to collaborate better with your colleagues.

Beyond self-awareness, Marlee offers free online coaching for you and your team.

AI Coach Marlee provides personalized insights into your motivations and blind spots. This will help you develop your natural talents and strengths and overcome workplace weaknesses.

The report also includes helpful insights into how you work as a team in hybrid and remote working environments. Marlee also offers self-paced coaching recommendations, so you don’t have to pay immediately to improve team performance. You start for free and bring everyone closer to achieving personal and organizational growth goals.

If your company wants to take coaching further, Marlee matches you with an expert human coach to help you achieve your goals.

How can I access my Marlee motivational analysis results?

As you start the Marlee motivational analysis, you must sign up for a free account.

Once you've signed up and taken the analysis, you can view your results and goals through your dashboard.

Marlee (Fingerprint For Success) dashboard

Your Marlee dashboard allows you to track your progress, take notes on your coaching experience, and reflect on your journey as you go. You can do all this (and more!) whenever you log into your account via the web and mobile.

Can I invite my employees or team to take the Marlee motivational analysis?

Yes, you can – and should!

Your personal Marlee dashboard has a 'Teams' tab. This is where you can learn more about your team after they have taken the test. You will see their unique motivational traits, shared traits between team members, differences that may create friction, and an overview of your team’s culture. You can either toggle between different teams or create one from scratch.

If you work in a department that assesses job applicants, you can use Marlee to find the best talent. Marlee has a helpful tool that ranks talent based on critical success factors. The tool is designed to help you make better hiring decisions.

What does the MBTI personality types test cost?

The cost of the MBTI can vary depending on the provider and the context in which it is administered.

The cost of taking the test online through a third-party provider can vary widely. There are multiple free tests, but paid ones can range from US$20 to US$50. The cost of taking the test through a qualified professional in a business or organizational setting can range from US$100 to US$300 or more. Additionally, some providers may offer group rates for administering the test to many people.

What does Marlee cost?

The Marlee model makes coaching available to everyone.

For individual employees, many parts of the Marlee experience are free. These include the free evidence-based motivational analysis and one free AI-powered coaching program.

Small teams of up to three people also have free access to the Marlee team experience. However, companies with more than three employees pay US$15.99 per month/user. See pricing plans for more details.

If you’re interested in human coaching or more in-depth, tailored enterprise packages, you can schedule a demo.

The MBTI personality types test reviews

Before investing in the MBTI personality types test, you should see what others say about them. Here are some reviews you may find useful:

• "Your profiles are a godsend for me in my role as a Learning & Development Advisor, helping me to build high performing teams in local government." (16Personalities Myers-Briggs test)
• "I think it's a fantastic tool to invest in no matter what you’re doing with your career or your life. And ultimately it changes and shifts your entire view on the world—at least that's what it did for me." (MBTIonline)

Marlee reviews

Marlee has driven tremendous ROI for teams. See a few reviews below:

• "Marlee is a central component of our people growth strategy at Canva. The tool empowers us to harness our unique culture and optimize performance as we scale." Cliff Obrecht, Co-founder & COO, Canva
• "Marlee allows you to analyze a person’s characteristics and natural fallbacks. All subjectivity is removed so we can focus on employees’ growth & foster an environment of inclusion, support, and belonging." Lorraine Longato, Business Innovation Strategist, SAP
• "Marlee has been crucial for our Baraja teams. We have a debrief every time a new team forms or we have new team members join existing teams. It gives us direction for team composition, hiring, and conflict resolution. There are so many 'AHA' moments." Reshmi Buthello, VP of People and Culture, Change Management Expert at Baraja
• "Marlee is an indispensable tool in any team’s arsenal. It is my most highly utilized and recommended business management tool with easy-to-understand insights." Heather Wilde, Strategic Innovation Officer, AFWERX

You can read more case studies here.

The MBTI personality types coaching jobs

Yes, there are coaching jobs that use the MBTI personality test to help teams understand themselves and others. You can actually attain MBTI Certification from the Myers & Briggs Foundation. Courses are offered virtually and in person, and teach you how to administer the test with clients. Currently, the course costs US$2995 for three days of learning.

Following certification, some career options include:

• Life coaching
• Career coaching
• Executive coaching
• Mental health services
• Organizational consulting

You can work in coaching firms, consulting agencies, internal human resources departments, educational institutions, and mental health clinics. Or, you could start your own coaching practice.

Marlee coaching jobs

If you love helping people, teams, and companies worldwide become more successful, you could consider a coaching job with Marlee.

Marlee always welcomes online coaches who want to learn and use the Marlee coaching method. If you use meta-coaching, the International Coaching Federation, and related methods, this could be an ideal path for you. But, if you have any kind of wellness background—nutrition, life coaching, or personal training–you can easily transfer your skills.

Working with Marlee has many benefits. These include competitive pay, a learning/development stipend, and flexible PTO.

If you’re ready to start helping people and build a fulfilling career, see how to become a Marlee coach.

Bottom line: The MBTI personality types vs. Marlee

MBTI and Marlee are useful assessment tools for boosting productivity in people and helping teams to perform better. However, Marlee does not equate a team’s performance to individual personality traits.

Instead, Marlee analyzes your team to identify their motivations and blind spots and how they affect the team's performance. You also get insights into the team's similarities and differences and how they can use the power of difference to collaborate better.

Marlee offers free AI coaching. For MBTI, coaching isn’t free, and the price depends on the provider. Marlee also has self-paced AI coaching programs that fit nicely into your schedule. Sessions take around 15 minutes every week and can have a huge impact. Your team can set a target and look to achieve their goals in 4-9 weeks.

Help your team make career progress and build a collaborative autonomous unit with the free Marlee motivational analysis.