If you are a leader, manager or salesperson, or if you are human, you should understand personality styles. Why? Because you have to treat and talk to people differently based on their personality style to understand, connect and, influence them best.
There are four personality styles. No one style is better, they are just different. Here are the stereotypes –
Director – They like to be in charge, don’t like to waste time with small talk, are task-oriented. They are direct and self-contained. They will give you information if they think you need to know it and be direct about it. They are no nonsense get things done people. Steroetypical vehicle – a big black SUV – something that shows status and power.
Socializer – They are direct and open. They are open books; they will tell you anything, often even if you don’t ask. They like to tell stories, and use a lot of body language and voice inflection. They want attention and like to have fun and great experiences with others. They often don’t pay attention to details and make decisions quickly. Stereotypical vehicle – a red sports car – something that says “look at me”.
Relater – They are open and indirect. They are warm and caring and patient, and their voice tells you that. They want others to be happy first. They value family and relationships. They won’t call you out, they don’t like conflict. They will only make decisions if it’s good by the people they care about. Stereotypical vehicle – a minivan that you can get the whole family in – white or light blue.
Thinker – They are indirect and self-contained. They don’t use a lot of body language or voice inflection and are hard to read. They value information – lots of it. They fear making a wrong decision and do a lot of research and analysis to prevent it. They make decisions slowly. Stereotypical vehicle – a consumer reports best buy – something practical and reliable – gray or silver.
Which one are you?
Which personality styles are the people you work most closely with?
How about your family members?
We will talk more about this in the next Think Daily for Businesspeople.
Thinker.
The Personality Profile matrix is handy for a quick marker of “default” mode for people–of course we all move into other areas to some degree at various times and situations. For example I’ve seen some Social/Relater types shift to intense analysis mode for a major purchase. Don’t hang too many assumptions on a person’s vehicle–except the dark-color giant SUV! L-O-L