…and Answers

AusIDentities is presented as a fresh, dynamic alternative to existing models of type, such as the Myers-Briggs (MBTI), DISC and many more. The program, the characters and the resources are all visually appealing, rich in content and solutions, and low on the overly complex theories that often accompany such instruments.

AusIDentities has been introduced to numerous business organisations and educational bodies (around 350 schools at the last count), professional bodies, community groups and families and individuals since its release in 2005. Even so, why would people choose to engage with us and not with another organisation using one of the more ‘established’ profiling tools?

In this section we attempt to answer that question, and a whole lot more, in an attempt to clarify any misconceptions regarding what we do. If you have any specific questions of your own that you would like to ask, we invite you to contact us using the form below and we will do our best to get back to you within 48 hours.

Question: “Our organisation has already done a workshops using the Myers-Briggs, so why should I consider using AusIDentities?”

Answer: Because we use the same foundation as the Myers-Briggs and DISC, it is a seamless transition into the world of AusIDentities. The real benefit is that the vast majority of people who attend an AusIDentities workshop will still remember their type months later, and what it means to be a certain type. With the Myers-Briggs especially we find that if you ask people what their four letter type is even a short time after a workshop, only a handful* are able to tell you and even fewer recall what it means.

Question: “Our organisation is going through significant changes so wouldn’t it make sense to use something like DISC or Myers-Briggs that have been around for a long time, so we know we are going to get the results we are looking for?”

Answer: If you are seeking to make a lasting change, wouldn’t you want to use a model that people can identify with and actually use going forwards? By using the metaphors of animals, we are able to create a model of how the types behave and interact, especially during times of stress, and apply this to the situation at hand which in this case is change. People readily identify with their type, and also find it easy to appreciate what others are going through, especially when the program is used in conjunction with some of the world-class products we have created.

Question: I actually prefer the complexities of the Myers-Briggs over the more simplistic approach that DISC and AusIDentities takes. Doesn’t it really depend on the quality of the presenter how much information is actually retained by participants.

Answer: Not really. If you understand the Myers-Briggs in depth, then you will know there are approximately twice as many ‘S’ types as there are ‘N’ types in the general population, and that pretty much everyone associated with the creation and evolution of the Myers-Briggs theories are ‘N’ types. AusIDentities was originally created with this in mind, to make the program more accessible to more people. We find the vast majority of people we work with really enjoy this more straightforward approach as it is not just the presenter that makes the difference, it is the way in which the audience ‘receives’ the information.

Question: Is there any evidence to support  the use of personality types in schools?

Answer: Yes. Dr. David Keirsey used personality type in schools for over 30 years and discovered many apparent truths about type and education. Certain types tend to do better, and certain types tend to do worse, as a broad generalisation. One of the biggest indicators of a student’s success though, was whether their type matched or conflicted with the type of the teacher. If it matched, the likelihood of success in that class went up.

Question: Are teachers more likely to be a certain type.

Answer: Yes. After nearly 20 years of introducing type to schools, and typing over 20,000 teachers, we have discovered nearly 70% of teachers are Wombats. This result also matched the results they found in the USA.

Question: Are certain students more at risk because of their personality type?

Answer: Yes. After typing around 30,000 students, including more than 5,000 students at risk of disengaging from education, we have discovered around 90% of the students at risk of disengagement are in fact Kangaroos. This result also matches the numbers that come out of the USA.

Question: Does personality type play any part in low self-esteem and/or self-harming in students?

Answer: Yes, or at least it would appear so. In the study conducted by Marisa Crawford and Graham Rossiter (Reasons for Living – 2006 – Australian Council for Educational Research), three significant factors that contribute to healthy self-esteem and engagement are: Meaning, Identity and Spirituality. AusIDentities was named such because it addresses Identity, and to a slightly lesser degree, Meaning.

Question: Have any professional educational organisations accepted or endorsed AusIDentities and the theories that underpin the program?

Answer: Yes. The Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), The Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELI), The Department of Employment and Training (DET), Indigenous Education Leadership Institute (Stronger Smarter), Catholic Education, University of Central Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Education, Scripture Union, Salvation Army, Foster Care Association of Australia and TAFE have all used and embraced the AusIDentities program.

Question: Is the program difficult to teach or explain?

Answer: No. We can teach the basic concepts to students as young as 7 or 8 in around 2-3 hours. We also run half-day and full-day training programs for teachers, who are then able to use the program in their classrooms.

*In our experience