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When I was a master's student, I underwent testing for my MBTI "type". I kept coming up as an ENTJ, a profile consistent with entrepreneurs and leaders, but inconsistent with the "helping professions". I was devastated. Everyone else in my class had a strong Feeling component. How could I possibly be a good marriage and family therapist if I wasn't an Intuitive-Feeling- Perceiving type? Did that mean I didn't feel or have empathy? As a Judging type, was I not objective enough? I felt like a pariah.

Later, when I left counseling to enter the world of e-business,
I was convinced my ENTJ preferences would suit me well. However, I'd spent a great deal of time developing my Feeling and Perceiving components, and now I was too emotional and too
objective to be a confident, take-charge leader! Herein is the danger in labels. They can reinforce the belief that what we
are isn't enough or isn't right.

It took me many years
to overcome the belief that I was ill-suited to helping others and
later the belief that I couldn't lead. For this reason, I shy away from categorization tools because
of the power they have to
limit us in our thinking.

--Wendy Jameson

QUALITATIVE, INTERACTIVE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

Why We Like NetTPS™
We use NetTPS™ as part of our coaching toolbox, as we find it provides a clear, comprehensive and non-judgmental means of determining one's values, habits and competences. It provides a powerful foundation for personal and professional growth planning and implementation.

Unlike most other tools, NetTPS™ won't try to put you into a category of any kind. Most assessment systems have built-in expectations, norms or categories, and they can see only what fits these theoretical models. Instead of dealing with reality, however unexpected or unusual, they replace it with a version that fits the picture they've fabricated in advance.

In categorization systems, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the only aspects of reality that can be seen are those that match fixed, pre-fabricated categories (such as INTJ, ESFP, etc). Theory forces reality to fit its own expectations. When used as part of a leadership development program, participants are given information that fits their "type" and unfortunately, that becomes one's label. The problem is that most individuals don't fit well into any one category consistently. For example, our founder could be described as 8 of the 16 MBTI categories, depending on the situation!! When you can only be one "type", you begin to see yourself that way, others begin to label you that way, and your choices become limited. It becomes a self-fulfilling, and frequently depressing, scenario.

In normative systems, like CPI, 16PF or OPQ, a similar thing happens. There is a set distribution -- the bell-shaped curve -- to which all results must conform. This expectation provides a "take" on reality, dividing it into positions above and below average against a set of norms. Whether these norms are based on research or not, they remain entirely theoretical.

So, how is categorical personality information helpful for anyone in developing their potential? The fact is, it isn't. Categorization and normative systems provide a quick data point that is useful in certain time-limited situations (such as workshops), but that information is not particularly useful for developing leadership skills or creating a plan for personal growth.

Whenever we see the world through a set of prior expectations or preset norms, we can only perceive whatever aligns with our chosen viewpoint. Anything else will be either ignored or rationalized away. In NetTPS™, we always strive to see exactly what's there, whether or not it fits some theoretical pattern or set of expectations.

The Tool Itself
NetTPS™ is based on The Potentia System™, a complete strategic framework for leading, managing and developing organizations. It is based on two principles--deliberate choice and working from strengths. The deliberate choice lies in deciding to view the organization and it's people in the context of future possibility, not past events.

Working from strengths demands that you turn away from continual rehearsals of weaknesses and failures to focus instead on what people can and will do, given the opportunity.

NetTPS™ focuses on understanding and maximizing potential in individuals, teams and organizations as an essential element of leadership and an effective and proven approach to creating positive change. Those who channel the whole of their energies into what they do best will be the leaders and achievers in their chosen fields. NetTPS™ helps reveal where the least effort will produce the most reward.

NetTPS™ consists of six web-based modules that can be used singly or in combination. They explore (requires Adobe Acrobat™):

1. Values (pdf sample results)
2. Habits of Thinking and Action (pdf sample results)
3. Patterns of Competence (pdf sample results)
4. Role Profiling for Individuals
5. Role Profiling for Organizations
6. Development Planning

NetTPS™ techniques have been in development and use for more than 15 years. Certified consultants worldwide have used The Potentia System™ with their client organizations, including:

Key Elements of Potential

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© 2001-2003 Potentiate. All rights reserved.
NetTPS™ and The Potentia System™ are trademarks of PNA, Inc. and are used with permission.