How the MBTI Took Over the World: From Living Room to Corporate Boardroom

The Incredible Rise of a Homemade Test—and Its Lasting Impact on Work Culture

Picture this: a tool invented by two women in their living room becomes a must-have for Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. military, and schools around the world. That’s the unlikely story of the MBTI, as told in Merve Emre’s The Personality Brokers. The book reveals how a simple questionnaire, born from curiosity and persistence, became a global industry worth billions.

The MBTI’s appeal to business was immediate. It promised to unlock the secrets of team dynamics, help managers hire the right people, and resolve workplace conflicts. Educational Testing Service gave the test academic legitimacy, and soon it was everywhere—from boardrooms to classrooms. The MBTI’s language even seeped into pop culture, with personality types showing up in everything from dating apps to TV shows.

But as Emre documents, the test’s popularity came with controversy. Critics argue that the MBTI lacks scientific rigor and can lead to pigeonholing employees. Yet, for many, it remains a valuable tool for self-reflection and communication. Its story is a testament to the power of narrative, marketing, and the universal desire to understand ourselves and others.

Whether you love it or loathe it, the MBTI’s influence is undeniable. The Personality Brokers invites us to reflect on why we crave simple answers to complex questions—and what happens when those answers shape the world around us.

References: Slate, The New Republic, Psychology Today