Personalities- Simplified

Would you believe me if I said you could eliminate 90% of the conflict from your life?

It’s true! And, easy… 😉 How? You may ask..

By enhancing your ability to communicate with people.

When you come to realize that there are 4 basic personality styles in the world and learn how to identify them, the way you relate to other people will completely change! It will give you a newfound appreciation for the people in your life. And, what used to annoy and frustrate you about certain people, will now make you chuckle. 😉

Honestly, when I was first introduced to this information, I asked myself.. “Why on earth is this not taught in school?” This is pretty much life changing information! Well, none the less, I am grateful that I learned this in my early twenties. And, I am going to share it with you today.

Please note: There are 2 types of teaching combined here. The DISC model is taught by Robert Rohm. And, you can find his book, Positive Personality Profiles, here. The 2^nd model, which refers to the terms Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic and Melancholic is taught by Florence Littauer. And, you can find her book, Personality Plus, here.

Now, let’s jump right in!

There are tests that you can take in order to properly identify your personality. (And, I do recommend them in either of the above author’s materials.) However, I am going to hopefully simplify it for you today and help you at least identify your primary personality trait.  By looking at the chart above, first decide if you are “Outgoing” or “Reserved”.

Then decide if you are “Task Oriented” or “People Oriented”. Whatever quadrant you find yourself in will be your dominant personality trait.  However, we all usually are comprised of 2 different traits.  For example, my primary trait is D (Choleric).  But, my secondary personality trait is C (Melancholic).

Below you will find the characteristics of each of the 4 personality styles.  As you read through the information, you should be able to easily identify your tendencies.  But, if not, grab a friend and ask them!

And, at the end I have a clever way to find out for sure. 😉

1.Choleric– Outgoing & Task Oriented

D: Dominant, Determined, Direct, Demanding, Decisive, Driven, Doer

Cholerics are:

Goal Oriented, Performance Conscious, Hard to please, Self-confident, Industrious, Firm

Cholerics want: Control and Choices

Don’t Like: Indecision, Slow people, Talkers who don’t produce, Lazy people, Detailed activities, Taking orders

Under Control	Out of Control
Courageous Quick to Respond Goal-oriented Results-oriented Deliberate Self-confident Direct Self-reliant Straightforward Competitive	Reckless Rude Impatient Pushy Dictatorial Conceited Offensive Arrogant Abrasive Ruthless

Attitudes and Preferences:

Likes to win, Likes to plan for the future, Likes new ideas, Likes results, Likes to be their own boss, Likes to move fast, Likes a challenge

Communication Tips:

Think in terms of WHAT?

Talk big picture, then details, Get to the main point, Focus on action-based results, Be brief & specific, Overcome obstacles, Provide challenge, rather than giving orders

Cholerics want you to be:

Quick, Specific, To the point, A Winner

Techniques for working with Cholerics in the Business World:

Be brief, be brilliant and be gone, Stress Opportunity, Be credible, Be efficient & businesslike, Clarify goals, Don’t waste time, Look at the bottom line, Be prepared & organized, Ask questions, Solve problems & objections

Value they bring to an Organization:

Provide adventure, Brings determination, Uses creativity, Stresses motivation

Natural tendency:

If it is to be, it’s up to me! My way or the highway. What’s the bottom line?

Identifying Choleric Friends:

These are the friends who unknowingly offend you at least once every conversation. (Just kidding.. kinda ;))

2. Sanguine – Outgoing & People Oriented

I: Inspiring, Influencing, Impressionable, Interactive, Involved, Impressive, Interesting, Impulsive, Illogical

Sanguines are: Expressive, Fun to watch, Great starters, Poor finishers, Likeable, Prone to exaggerate, Easily excitable

Wants: Attention & Approval

Don’t Like: Being ignored, Being isolated, Being ridiculed, Repetitive tasks, Detail work, Long-term projects

Under Control	Out of Control
Optimistic Persuasive Excited Communicative Spontaneous Outgoing Fervent Involved Imaginative Warm/friendly	Unrealistic Manipulative Emotional Gossipy Impulsive Unfocused Excitable Directionless Daydreaming Purposeless

Attitudes & Preferences

Likes to be liked, Likes to express ideas & feelings, Likes being part of a group, Likes surprises, Likes social activity & fun, Likes recognition

Communication Tips:

Think in terms of WHO?

Let them express their ideas, Keep a friendly environment, Turn talk into action, Focus on their accomplishments, Provide recognition for their achievements, Gently steer them back to the topic at hand

Sanguines want YOU to be:

Fun & upbeat, Responsive, Enthusiastic, Positive, Stimulating

Techniques for working with Sanguines in the Business World:

Use testimonials, Be friendly, Let them talk, Don’t dwell on details, Be enthusiastic, Drop names, Provide recognition for their achievements, Show approval, Support their dreams/needs, Use their own words and quote them back

Value they bring to an Organization:

Provide imagination, Bring spontaneity, Uses inspiration, Stresses interaction, Uses creativity

Natural tendency: Why ruin a good story with the facts?! They have a tendency to over-promise and under-deliver.

Identifying Sanguine Friends: They will be the ones who are late to everything! It’s amazing how many times these people can be “stuck in traffic”. 😉

 

3. Phlegmatic – Reserved & People Oriented

S:   Supportive, Steady, Secure, Sweet, Submissive, Shy, Sentimental

Phlegmatics are:

Peace-keepers, Sweetest people in the world, Easily manipulated, Loyal friends, Team players, Poor starters, Great finishers

Wants: Security, Support and Stability

Don’t Like: To be yelled at, Conflict, Insensitivity, , Misunderstandings, Sarcasm, Surprises, Being pushed

Under Control	Out of Control
Relaxed Reliable Cooperative Stable Good Listener Single-minded Steadfast Softhearted Systematic Amiable	Lacking initiative Dependent A Sucker Indecisive Uncommunicative Inflexible Resistant to change Easily manipulated Slow Resentful

Attitudes & Preferences: Likes to be accepted, Likes teamwork & cooperation, Likes sticking with what works, Likes harmony, Likes things to stay the same, Likes predictability

Communication Tips:

Think in terms of HOW?

Be agreeable & non-threatening, Give them time to adjust to changes, Show appreciation, Provide follow-up support, Talk more slowly- do not rush, Demonstrate sincerity

Phlegmatics want YOU to be:

Kind (not harsh), Patient, Pleasant, Understanding

Techniques for working with Sanguines in the Business World:

Provide reassurance, Ask for their help & show appreciation, Pace yourself, Give examples, Give full explanations, Use a quiet, calm manner

Value they bring to an Organization:

Provides stability, Brings harmony, Uses compatibility, Stresses security

Natural Tendency: Constantly fighting the overwhelming urge to want to do nothing.

Identifying your Phlegmatic Friends: They will be the ones with their Halloween pumpkin still out front in December. Or their Christmas tree still up in April. 😉

 

4. Melancholic- Reserved & Task Oriented

C: Compliant, Cautious, Competent, Cognitive, Careful, Calculating, Critical, Conscientious, Conformist, Consistent, Cold.

Melancholics are: Perfectionists, Difficult to satisfy, Logical, Meticulous, Self-sacrificing, Inquisitive

Wants: Facts & Figures

Don’t Like: Being criticized, Mistakes, Sudden changes, Shoddy work, Unpreparedness, Unnecessary interruptions

Under Control	Out of Control
Orderly Logical Intense Curious Teachable Cautious Correct Questioning Conscientious Precise	Compulsive Critical Unsociable Nosey Easily offended Fearful Rigid Doubtful Worrisome Picky

Attitudes & Preferences:

Likes to be right, Likes to know what is expected of them, Likes an established procedure, Likes clear instructions, Likes finishing what they start, Likes planning things

Communication Tips:

Think in terms of WHY?

Be specific on points of agreement, Avoid emotionalism, Check your facts, Show “pro & con” balance sheet, Show how they fit in, Provide proof, Welcome questions patiently

Melancholics want YOU to be:

Accommodating, Accurate, Accountable, Analytical

Techniques for working with Sanguines in the Business World:

Give full explanations, Do not “hard sell” them, Provide quality answers, Agree on minor points, Demonstrate patience, Be conservative- don’t exaggerate, Provide a sincere atmosphere, Explain sufficient details, Demonstrate value/excellence, Be consistent

Value they bring to an Organization:

Provides analysis, Brings logic, Uses objectivity, Stresses consistency

Natural Tendency: They have tendency to focus on a small detail and lose sight of the big picture. Can suffer from analysis paralysis.

Identifying Melancholic Friends: These are the friends who are early to everything! These friends always need to be right. 😉

 

***Still trying to figure out your personality? I’ll break it down for you…

You are a Choleric if you skipped my 1st four paragraphs and patted yourself on the back when reading all of the “D” characteristics.

You are a Sanguine if you read less than half of this article and/or daydreamed while reading it.

You are a Phlegmatic if you just wish somebody else would tell you what your personality is.

You are Melancholic if you printed this post, took notes on it and were offended by my “Out of Control” list. Or, well were offended by anything in this post. 😉

** I make the last 4 statements in jest, hoping that you will find humor in self discovery. Please know that it is not my intention to offend anyone.

Stay tuned for future posts on this topic and please comment below and let me know your personality!

~ This post is linked to The Alder Collective, A Little R & R Wednesdays, Women with Intention Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesday, Faith Filled Friday and Link Party Palooza~ Be sure to check out the other awesome bloggers linked up there!!

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