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Who is the egg thrower in your life?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

In the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, there is a scene where Kathy Bates is getting ready to pull into a parking space when two young girls pull up in a red convertible VW and take the space.  Kathy Bates tells them she was waiting for the slot, but they respond that they are "younger and faster".

Well, that didn't go over real well with Kathy Bates who begins ramming the VW until she has crushed the rear of it.  The girls come running out of the mall in horror.  Kathy Bates responds to their dismay by saying, "Face it girls, I'm older and I have more insurance." (Video)

That brings me to a conversation I had with a group of friends a few years ago.  I discovered that in nearly every couple, partnership or work team there is a what I call the "egg" thrower.  What that means is that if you were with your work partner waiting for that parking space rather than banging the car you would throw an egg at it.

In that group of friends there was one egg thrower in each couple.  My wife is the egg thrower in our marriage.  Now, she has never thrown one.  She's way to nice for that, but she has thrown dozens "in her mind."  Something else I learned about that group is that nearly (but not all) all of the egg throwers in the group were introverts according the MBTI

If you've never taken the Myers Briggs Type Indicator I would encourage you to do so.  It's fascinating.  You can actually do it online now days.  It discovers how you're internally wired.  I'm an ESTJ.  The first letter tells you that I'm extroverted.  What you learn with the MBTI is that extrovert and introvert doesn't mean that you like to be around people or you don't.  It means that you either get energized by being around people, or you get energized by being away from people.  Neither one is better.  They are what they are, and it really takes both to have a healthy balanced society. 

As Realtors, we need to be around people all the time.  For the introvert that means a lot.  If you're like my wife, you will change gears and do what you need to do to be around people for as long as you need to be, and then  you go home exhausted.   But, you soon get re-energized by being away from people.  Whereas, if I was out all day, I would be energized the whole time, but when I got home I would be totally exhausted.  

In the past, I tested all of my new office staff.  When I knew how they were wired, I knew how to relate to them.  It made for awesome office dynamics.  I wasn't trying to treat everyone the same.  Not everyone is introverted.  Not everyone is extroverted.  Knowing how to related to some one really did enhance our office relationships and we were much more productive.

When you know how people are wired you can work with them better. It can lead to a better marriage relationship, a better relationship with your boss and co-workers and even with your friends.  So, who is the egg thrower in your office, on your team or at your house? It may just tell you something about their temperament. 

 

Comments (57)

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Wow, 4% is amazing.  My wife is in that range, but not quite that low.  Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend.

Jul 22, 2011 08:25 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Super post...says a lot about you, too, such as being perceptive, thoughtful.....

Jul 22, 2011 09:09 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Li.  I appreciate that!!

Jul 22, 2011 09:11 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

I have literally thrown eggs before ... not so much these days. I think I'm afraid of that test too ...

Jul 22, 2011 09:37 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Cynthia, was that back in your rock and roll days?  Better to throw and egg or two rather than a TV out of the tenth floor of some hotel, ehh?  Have a great weekend!!

Jul 22, 2011 09:46 AM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

My mother (who was the CFO of a chain of mental health hospitals) is a pro at recognizing and understanding how people are wired. She doesn't take it personally - she recognizes that how people act/react is almost always about THEM and not about HER, and that saves a lot of late-night hand-wringing.

 

Jul 22, 2011 10:10 AM
Kim Gero
Verani Realty - Center Ossipee, NH
Associate Broker, REALTOR®

Mike, I took this test a few years ago when I was in pharmaceutical sales. I think I was an INFP. It's an interesting test and appears to be fairly accurate. I'm definitely the "egg thrower" in my house and a complete introvert!

Jul 22, 2011 10:25 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Alison, she sounds like a very smart lady!  Thanks for commenting.

Kim, I've had a number of INFPs work with me.  I've taken the test numerous times over a couple decades and it has always come up the same way.  ESTJ  Have a great weekend!!

Jul 22, 2011 10:32 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

First of all, I am so glad that you commented on my blog so I could subscribe to yours.  You have some great insights and are a hoot.

The Chief Cook made me watch Fried Green Tomatoes a long time ago, but that is the one scene that really stuck with me.  I loved it.  I am an introvert, by the way.  But, I come up with some great zingers.

Jul 22, 2011 10:33 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks for dropping by, Ron.  I avoided that movie for a long time, and a couple years after it came out I caught a portion of it which got me interested in the rest of it.  It's one of my all time favorites now.  Lots of fun!!  Have a great weekend!!

Jul 22, 2011 10:42 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Mike, I always loved that line. The parallels you draw made for an interesting read. Thanks!

Jul 22, 2011 11:04 AM
Elisha Grace
Opportunity Mortgage - Bozeman, MT
Bozeman Montana Loan Officer

It seems like I eventually get everybody new who is important in my life to take this test and also the one for temperaments.   I notice that I start classifying people way before I convince them to take the test.  Have  a great weekend.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Temperaments

Jul 22, 2011 11:11 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Karen.  Have a great weekend!!

Thanks for the link, Elisha. 

Jul 22, 2011 12:51 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

it is amazing how accurate those tests can be.  In the past, I gave them to prospective employees during the pre-screening process.  I am convinved, they help prevent some bad hires.

Jul 22, 2011 01:36 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

This is the first time I've seen the MBTI applied to real estate professionals.

It does make sense, though.

Jul 22, 2011 01:38 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Kathy, I think that's a smart move.  You can definitely get a sense of whether someone will fit in or not.  Thansk for commenting!!

Thanks, William.  Have a great weekend! 

Jul 22, 2011 02:01 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I'm ENTJ/ESTJ - I am comfortable in both S and N and I flip flop on these everytime I take the test and most recently I was smack dab in the middle.

Jul 22, 2011 11:40 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Interesting, Debbie.  I've been a steady ESTJ for decades.  Thanks for sharing!!

Jul 23, 2011 01:08 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

ISTJ here - and you hit the nail on the head with your post.  I think it's very, very helpful to understand the different types who surround us.

Jul 23, 2011 11:21 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Susan.  It really does.  Thanks for commenting!!

Jul 23, 2011 11:53 AM