The Organizational Character Index ( OCI )is an instrument that is used to measure the preferences, values and decision making style of a team, department or organisation.

Based on the ideas of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, it applies the theory of “Type” to the organisation. Developed by American author and consultant William Bridges to show how the organisation can have specific preferences in four areas of opposing tendencies:

Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)

The organisations focus, reality and how it gains its energy. is the organisation focused principally outwards towards markets, clients, competitors and regulators (E) or does it prefer to look inwards and focus on developing its own ideas, technology, products, it’s leader’s vision or even it’s own culture (I)?

Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)

How it gathers information, what is pays attention to and how it perceives things in and around it. Is the organisation focused on the here and now, understanding the details of the current situation (S) or does it look at the big “global” picture and the possibilities of any given idea or situation (N)?

Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

How the organisation processes information and makes its decisions. Is the organisation a logical maker of decisions based on ratios, consistency, competence and efficiency (T) or through a people focused process that takes in to account individuality, the common good and creativity (F)?

Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

How the organisation deals with the external world of clients, suppliers and competitors.

Is the organisation run like a machine with a strong penchant for planning and firm decision making and time lines (J) or does it prefer to keep options open and work “on the fly” to take in last minute ideas (P).

The OCI supports team and organizational development in many ways including:

  • Improving communication.
  • Handling inter team / department conflict more productively.
  • Strengthening decision making.
  • Revitalizing and developing greater teamwork.
  • Clarifying personal and organizational fit.
  • Increasing customer relations.
  • Dealing effectively with change and transitions.

The OCI feedback is a group feedback and coaching process and can be linked to individual MBTI feedback and coaching sessions.

Currently the OCI is available in English with a Spanish Translation done by Andi Roberts.