The authors’ theory “is that the dichotomy in which people have the greatest difficulty using their nonpreferred function is Judging-Perceiving. This creates recognizable tension that can lead to conflict. This tension, coupled with a difference in decision-making process (Thinking or Feeling), is accentuated in conflict, leading to the development of differing expectations and misunderstandings. We believe that understanding the interplay of the last two preferences is crucial to seeing our way through conflict effectively.” (pg. 10) (I have used the authors own words as I find it is always a tongue twister to discuss type preferences.)
Conflict occurs in the T-F functions and response occurs in the J-F preferences. It also relates to the individual’s limited use of the inferior function. The booklet is meant as a handout for a conflict management workshop, and has lots of charts and explanations for participants to take home. These take up the first half of the booklet. The later half looks individually at how each of the sixteen types reacts to conflict and how best to extricate oneself from it. These descriptions are set out a parallel point-form format making it easy compare one to the other. Each page has a small type table showing where the specific type is on the table. There is a snapshot of the blind spots, vision and hierarchy of the functions for that type. Then again in point-form it looks in more detail: what the type contributes, what they need from others, how others may see them, how under stress they may react, the kinds of things that trigger conflict for them, their blind spots, and areas they need to develop.
The booklet concludes with a series of steps for each individual to build an action plan for managing conflict. It asks the individual to look at his or her clear vision or blind spots and come up with a conflict situation that resulted in a satisfactory outcome and an unsatisfactory outcome, and analyse them. Then olan what action steps to take in the future to cope more effectively with conflict when it occurs.
This is a valuable booklet on applying Jung/Myers theory to this topic. As far as I can tell, while other books may have a chapter devoted to dealing with conflict, this is the first to deal exclusively with the topic. Focusing on preference pairs I find gives a structure that is easier to mentally remember and use while under a stressful situation. There is sufficient material here for a type knowledgeable practitioner to use to lead a conflict management workshop. I can just visualize the PowerPoint slides in my head now!