Work - Intuitive Business Analysis - Part 1

Like many who enter the workforce, my early "careers" were unimpressive.  I worked in retail, I worked as a waitress, I worked as a fast food restaurant cook and cashier.  Some jobs were better than others... I made a terrible waitress and actually feel sort of bad for those who were unfortunate enough to have me as their attendant.  I had no sense of haste about me, no ability to anticipate their needs and frequently forgot things that were requested.  My mother tells me that I once told a person who asked for ketchup that they didn't need it.  (I don't remember doing it, but she insists that I did... and it isn't really that unlikely.)  

My first real job was as an accounts receivable clerk, making outbound calls to collect on unpaid accounts.  While my manager saw potential in me and recommended me as his replacement when he moved on, my lack of inter-personal skills cost me the final votes to actually gain the position, even after serving in that capacity in the interim.

A murky career as a car salesman/office administrator brought me at long last to the beginnings of my IT career at the age of twenty six.  Over the next five years I accumulated a vast amount of experience in a multitude of areas.  I had no idea how much I was learning.  The company was small when I was first hired, and more than doubled in size while I was there.  A constantly changing work environment where everyone has to wear every sort of hat imaginable was a dream come true for someone with the curiosity that I carried in me.  My ideas for improvement were often implemented and I was exposed to and participated in many facets of the company.  Technical documentation, business analysis, data analysis, development, system testing, project management, release planning, public speaking, training, help desk support, forums management, newsletter editing, contract management... the list of things that I learned is very long.  My successes though eventually lost their luster because I still did not understand the impact that my words could have.

While my list of successes grew and the size of projects that I tackled became more complex... I believe I also managed to become a thorn in the side of upper management.  My tendency to always point out the things we were "doing wrong" was surely wearisome after a time.  The language that I used to describe problems was often out of proportion with the true scope, and I frequently used strong words so as to be taken seriously, perhaps.  I could clearly see the things we needed to change, and I could not easily describe to those around me why I had arrived at my conclusion.  Instead, I used emphatic language to convince my audience of the importance of the change so that they would support my ideas.  The behavior was juvenile and I was rarely aware of this tendency in myself at the time.  Looking back, I hope that I had some sort of positive influence and lasting impact on the business, but if I had a chance to do it again I would go about it differently.  The lesson was learned only as I was on the verge of leaving.

When I finally resigned and moved on to the next step in my career, I was well prepared to meet the challenges of my new career path of Business Analyst.

I distinctly remember my first interview.  Four people sat across from me and asked me questions at what seemed to be a breathless pace.  I barely finished responding to one question when another was asked.  This went on for an intense hour and my head felt as if I had whiplash from redirecting my attention from one end of the table to the other.  Finally, one of them gave a small smirk to another and I knew they had a trick question incoming.  The woman finally said "Is there anything we should have asked you today that we haven't already asked?"

My brain short circuited... this wasn't a fair question!  I was now on the spot, under pressure and frazzled from an hour long barrage of interrogation.  I could barely even remember what they had asked me anymore.  My mind could not think, and I literally had no words.  I scanned my notes.  I felt the heat rising in my cheeks and it seemed like an eternity ticked by.  Just as I began to raise my eyes to the questioner and began forming the hopeless (interview killing) response of "I have no idea." my brain suddenly flew into action and the words that came out sounded like this:

"It seems, from your questions, that experience with mainframe systems is a critical requirement for this position.  While I do not have any experience in this area, I think that perhaps if you had asked me how quickly I can learn a new system I could have told you that I am extremely good at understanding new things.  I am not afraid to research things that I don't understand.  I believe I could learn and be up to speed in this area in a very short time."

I got the job.

In the moment that I stopped thinking about the problem, my intuition identified the one major gap in my credentials and reassured my interviewers that it wouldn't be a problem.  

This phenomenon of instinctively falling into a solution is not unique to INTJ's... everyone has the potential to use their natural abilities and become successful analysts.  For me, being placed in the B.A. role fit my natural tendencies in a very fulfilling way.  I felt like a fish who had been gasping for air on dry land and then suddenly finding itself tossed into a lake.  I am at home in the analysis world, and hopefully this blog can provide some insights that are helpful to others in the B.A. world.  

Part 2 of this entry will provide some specific examples of intuitive understanding, and how it can be harnessed by others as well.

Stay tuned!

Introductions Are In Order!

Welcome to the INTJ Analysis blog.  Whether you are an INTJ or you know an INTJ... or have no idea what an INTJ is, you will surely find something to interest you here.  I plan to cover a broad range of topics including some insights into the mind of an (I)ntroverted, I(n)tuitive, (T)hinking, (J)udging personality, although this will not always be my main focus.  There is much more to life than analysis of the human mind and behaviors, but this happens to be a favorite hobby of mine.  Most of what you will find here deals with more tangible pieces of my world, including work, family, friends and hobbies.  All of those things are influenced by my personality preferences and I will do my best to point out those indicators and times when I felt that my INTJ personality directly impacted the situation.  Perhaps, in this way, others might gain some insight into the rationale (or lack thereof) that brings about decisions.

If you are not an INTJ yourself, but have one in your life, I offer my condolences.  My family struggled to figure me out for years (and vice-versa) but I hope that my practiced improvements in communication, empathizing and expression have broken down some of those barriers over time.  It wasn't until my late 20's that I finally understood the importance of interacting with others.  At times, I still find it difficult and even envy those who seem to have that natural ability to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger.  I can force myself to do it, and may even enjoy myself at the time, but it seems to take a ridiculous amount of energy.  

I will offer one bit of advice, if I may, for those of you who are here seeking to understand an INTJ in your own life.  Delving into the minds and motivations of those around you is dangerous business.  It is difficult (and unsatisfying) to know that we can never truly understand another human being.  Resist the urge to stereotype, and more importantly... resist the urge to manipulate based on your knowledge.  Use your powers for good!

Welcome to INTJ Analysis!