Observers are precise, cautious and disciplined, and are painstaking and conscientious in work which requires attention and accuracy.  They have highly developed critical perception abilities and emphasise the importance of drawing conclusions and basing actions on factual data.  Observers are objective thinkers, who combine intuitive information with the facts they have gathered in a most effective way.  They avoid making a “fool” of themselves by meticulous preparation.  They tend to select people like themselves who are more effective in a peaceful environment and may be reticent about expressing their feeling.

Observers are concerned with the “right” answer and may avoid making decisions.  They may hesitate to acknowledge a mistake and immerse themselves in researching for materials to still support their mistake.  Observers tend not to trust strangers and worry about outcomes, their reputation and their job.  They can read situations well and be both sensing and intuitive.  They can be seen as unresponsive, cool and uncaring by some.  The Observer is Jung’s Introverted (or Empirical) Thinking type.

• Inner Drive:  Doing things right, rejecting interpersonal aggression.

• Goal:  Correctness, predictability, the need to perceive and understand.

• Judges others by:  Mental functioning.

• Influences other by:  Logical arguments, factual data.

• Value to the organisation:  Tests, clarifies and evaluates.

• Over uses:  Analysis and tests, past processes.

• Under moderate pressure becomes:  Worried, gets bogged down.

• Fears:  Ridicule; abrupt change.

• Would be more effective with more:  Flexibility of decision making, understanding, understanding of people, enthusiasm.