As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are all reminded of the uphill climb it takes to appreciate differences authentically. We are all vulnerable to making the mistake of believing that our own way of thinking is the only way. Acknowledging our need to study personality preferences is more prevalent today than ever. A commitment to studying more than just our own preferences, but studying the preferences of others will make the largest impact.
As my kids attend a local virtual MLK breakfast, I enjoy using this day to help them understand the history and countless sacrifices made for the freedom we experience today. We live in different generations, so I enjoy having my kids learn from others. This allows them to learn from different perspectives about the importance of MLK day. We are also planning interview questions with grandmother and great-grandmother that I hope will remain in my kids memory for a lifetime.
There is work to be done as we continue to celebrate personality differences to become less frustrated and more fascinated about why people do what they do. Here is a look at personality preferences through the lens of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The Myers Briggs is one of the most widely used instruments in the world. Through research and development the Myers Briggs assessment is designed to identify a person's strengths, weakness, likes and dislikes.
If you are an extravert, take time to study what an introvert prefers and vice versa.
If you are a sensor, take time to study what an intuitive prefers and vice versa.
If you are a thinker, take time to study what a feeler prefers and vice versa.
If you are a judger, take time to study what a perceiver prefers and vice versa.
I have so many favorite MLK quotes, but when I think about my passion to encourage people to appreciate differences in each other, this MLK quote stands out to me the most.
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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