Is MBTI Effective for Team Building? Organizational Management through Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Yoichi Ito

──Were you aware that the personality test known as MBTI has become popular among the younger generation?

Yoichi Ito: Yes, I've noticed that students nowadays invariably mention four letters when introducing themselves. I myself took the MBTI test over a decade ago. I don't remember the exact results, but I recall thinking, 'Wow, this is quite accurate.' Of course, there's a risk of being stereotyped, but because it categorizes people into detailed types, it indeed feels persuasive.

──A while ago, animal fortune-telling was popular because it was considered accurate. Why do you think such diagnostics are popular among young people?

Ito: When meeting someone for the first time, it's actually quite challenging to explain your personality and traits from scratch. Young people often haven't yet developed the conversational skills to articulate themselves well, and yet they frequently encounter new people. That's why using personality diagnostics can significantly reduce the cost of initiating communication. I understand why it's popular.

I also took a self-diagnostic test called StrengthsFinder when I was younger. It helped me explain my characteristics to team members, making communication easier.

──I see. Recently, some companies have been considering adopting MBTI in their hiring processes. What are your thoughts on using self-diagnostic tests like MBTI for recruitment?

Ito: Like academic credentials, it's aimed at streamlining recruitment—essentially cutting costs. 'This type of person would suit our job,' they think, using it as a tool to gather people with specific tendencies. Frankly, I find it rather tacky. It's as if HR is saying, 'I don't have the eye for recognizing people's potential.'

At LINE Yahoo Corporation, where I previously worked, we have already adopted a policy of not considering a candidate's educational background.

Recognizing differences between oneself and others is important. However, humans don't fit neatly into types.