The real contribution of psychological type and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® instrument is the emphasis on understanding and valuing differences between people. Those who learn about type learn first to appreciate their own strengths, value their own instincts, and use these strengths to manage their lives. In addition, type teaches people to understand and value the way other people see things.

The essential message is that one person's way is not the only way; it is not even necessarily the best way. The strengths of all types are needed to live and work together effectively.

Certain principles are critical to understanding and using type:

• Type is believed to be inborn.
• No one type is better than another.
• Type does not predict skills or success in any endeavor.
• Type should not be used to choose a mate, a career, a school, or make other important decisions. Type is information that contributes to making these decisions.
• People may ignore their preferences because of pressures (subtle or overt) from family, work, or close relationships.
• People use both preferences in each pair, but tend to rely more on one than the other three.
• With practice, people can better learn to use nonpreferred approaches, but this often takes energy and effort to do so, especially at first.
• Only the individual can determine his or her best-fit type.