First of all, there are two sets of opposing personality traits. Open or self contained; direct or indirect.
- Are easy to get to know personally
- Have a greater tendency toward animated facial expressions or observable body responses while speaking and listening
- Tend to be more willing to show or share personal feelings more freely
- Show more enthusiasm than the average person
- Go with the flow, being flexible about how their own time is used by others
Self-contained people:
- Make most decisions based on goals, facts, or evidence (as opposed to feelings or experiences)
- Tend to keep important personal feelings private, sharing only when necessary
- Limit facial expressions or observable body responses while speaking and listening
- Show less enthusiasm than the average person
- Go with their own agenda, being disciplined about how their own time is used by others.
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Direct people:
- Are more naturally assertive and express their own views more readily
- Are more likely to introduce themselves to others at social gatherings
- Naturally approach risk or change more quickly or spontaneously, and naturally decide more quickly or spontaneously
- Frequently use gestures and voice intonation to emphasize points
- More likely to make emphatic statements like "This is so!" "I feel..."
Indirect people:
- Are more naturally reserved and reserve the expression of their own opinions
- Are more likely to wait for others to introduce themselves at social gatherings
- Naturally approach risk or change more slowly or cautiously, and naturally decide more slowly or deliberately
- Infrequently use gestures and voice intonation to emphasize points
- More likely to make qualified statements like, "According to my sources..."
- Tend to adhere to the Letter of the Law, rather than interpreting the Spirit of the Law
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We drew horizontal and vertical axes to see the four quadrants more easily, but there are four basic personality types based on these traits:
- Open and Direct
- Open and Indirect
- Self-Contained and Direct
- Self-Contained and Indirect
OPEN and DIRECT people are called "Socializers." They value uniqueness.
- They tend to use a lot of "-est" words and will use multiple "!!!" and "..." when they write.
- They want things to be interesting.
- You can be interesting to them by being interested in them.
OPEN and INDIRECT people are called "Relaters." They value relationships. They are face-to-face relationship builders who give a little bit of everybody. They do not want to take risks and hurt someone's feelings.
- Because this is the "nice guy," you should be nice to them.
- When communicating with relaters, give them recommendations, not directives.
- Reassure them; they like guarantees.
- Give them safe options.
- Listen so you can hear what they really mean because they won't tell you directly. If you say to a relater, "Do you want Indian or Thai for dinner tonight?" they might answer, "Both sound good... but did you hear about the new Italian place down the street?"
DIRECT and SELF-CONTAINED people are called "Directors." They value results; and they want you to be direct, fast, and to the point. They take more risks than anyone else; and they can be tough.
- Use bullet points.
- Don't waste time.
- They want recommendations.
INDIRECT and SELF-CONTAINED people are called "Logicals." They value accuracy, and they like having all the information.
- They are careful and want to take time in making decisions.
- Proofread any communication with them because they are likely to think that if you make one mistake, then others may follow.
- Give them time to process information you give them, but also provide realistic deadlines.
Can anyone guess what I am?
5 comments:
Hmmmm... you must be the socializer! Can't see you being any of the other types. What about me?? Waddaya think?
jenn, i think you're open and direct. am i right?? i'm open and indirect. haha. thanks for sharing!
I am WAY off the charts with being open, and I am also direct (though not as extreme on that axis) - thus, SOCIALIZER. You're both correct!
Lis - I knew you were a Relater. You're one of the most true "nice guy" types I know. I'll be sure to always be as nice as possible to you. ;)
cc - I'm gonna guess you're a Director. I bet a lot of your b-school buddies are too. Am I right? Do you want me to bulletpoint something for you?
Of course you are a socializer Jenn! I am barely a socializer (plus 1 direct and open). I don't think this test is totally accurate (some of the answers I wanted to pick in between but couldn't). But interesting nonetheless!
-Kat
That is a very interesting test! I'm a relater, wish people were always nice to me, ha ah!
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