I always say that we spend our lives looking for people just like us so we can talk about how everyone else is crazy. “Can you believe he said that?!” “What was she thinking?!” “Who does that?!” Well, apparently there is someone who does that. And thank goodness.
In the past, this phenomenon has worked out really well for veterinarians. Chances were that you would end up learning from and working with veterinarians who were just like you. As it turns out, according to the Myers-Briggs or Keirsey personality theorists, most veterinarians have traditionally fallen under the ISTJ/ESTJ categories. A larger majority are ISTJs, who tend to be introverted, data-loving, logical decision-making, list-checkers. There might be an occasional ESTJ – an outgoing, data-loving, logical decision-making, list checker. The ESTJs tend to be more comfortable in the exam room with clients and buddying up to the team while the more introverted ISTJ might prefer to unwind in the peace and quiet of the surgery suite. Because of the fundamental similarities in vets personalities, potential communicative conflict only occurred with clients because all veterinarians thought the same or nearly the same way.
Nowadays, not only do you have to deal with significant generational and gender differences working with other veterinarians, but you’ll have to learn to deal with “different” personalities on your side of the table as well. The fundamental personality of veterinarians is shifting to ESFJ/ISFJ. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education shows evidence of a significant shift in veterinarian student personality from 2004 to 2007 (click here to read a related article). Move over logical decision-maker, there is a new vet in town. The ESFJ/ISFJ is influenced more by feelings than logic. “What?!” You say. That’s right, these new vets use their values and client’s feelings to help make decisions. I’m with you E/ISTJs, “Who does that?!”
So, what will this new veterinarian add to the profession? E/ISFJ vets are more suited towards communications and relationship-building. This paired with more E/ISFJs in the general population will certainly lead to improved relationships with Pet owners. Understand that although they might value individuals over systems and data, that does not mean they are lacking in knowledge and skill.
What if you are one of these new-fangled veterinarians? Know that you add value in empathizing with others and addressing the emotional impact of a Pet’s health. Still, your logical decision-making colleagues might help you out when feelings need to be pushed to the side to make a decision. But, don’t mistake their focus on facts and figures for a lack of caring.
The bottom line is that people are different; not right or wrong or good or bad, just different. There is a lot of evidence that mere diversity in the workplace adds value. Different perspectives provide new ideas and improved problem-solving. Understand that differences are a part of our world and the more we can understand and acknowledge these differences (maybe laugh about them a little), the better for our own work experience, our practices, and the care of the Pets we see each day.
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