Strengthen Relationships - Personality Styles

Last time we laid the ground work for identifying our own style, this time we will spend some time getting to know other people’s styles.  Just to review there are 4 different behavior styles, that most people have one dominant and one secondary style.

Driver (control, ambition, results oriented) – self confident, always in a hurry, very straightforward, take charge of meetings, tend to be blunt, tend to be impatient, tend to interrupt others, are aggressive and can be intimidating.

Expressors/Influencers (social influence, positive expectancy and expressiveness) – generally optimistic, a good promoter and motivator, enjoys freedom of movement, extroverted, people-oriented, good at persuading others and outgoing.

Amiable/Steadiness (patience, composure, and being a team player) – a dependable and steady team worker, a stable and predictable work environment, friendly and works to get along with co-workers, may need time to adjust to change and is dependable

Compliant/Analytical (precision and analytical/quality orientation) – appreciates working with details, enjoys working where critical thinking is needed, a conscientious person with a well developed idea of “right and wrong”, maintains high standards, tends to be organized.

Now that you have a good idea of your own style let’s move on to the styles of others

Identifying Styles of Others

Identifying Drivers - people that relate to the following terms – a realist, values-focused, reliable, meets deadlines, focused, knows what has to be done, solves problems, gets results and is prepared.  They tend to dislike being micro-managed as they see themselves as being self reliant, they are comfortable with change and are competitive by nature.   These types are driven by their ideas and often seek to be in charge and in control, they pursue problems with a sense of urgency and emphasize getting the job done and set high standards for productivity.  18% of the population have tendencies toward this style, and others may see them as arrogant, impatient and intolerable.  Donald Trump is an example of a typical driver behavior style

Drivers achieve success by taking decisive actions toward their goal.

Identifying Expressors or Influencers - people that relate to the following terms – generate excitement enthusiasm and hopefulness, prefer to communicate in person and mix personal talk and business, they are gregarious, open, talkative, approachable and make friends easily, they enjoy working in a team and motivating others, they are charismatic and entertaining, they display positive attitude, are optimistic and reassuring, they may be seen as a dreamer.  28% of the population are expressors and they maybe seen by others as being unorganized, sloppy with the details and being late with projects and due dates.  Bill Clinton is an example of a famous influencer.

Influencers achieve success by persuading others to work with them towards a goal.

Identifying Amiable or Steadiness – people that relate to the following phrases – dependable and steady team worker, likes stable work area and approaches change with care and temperance, friendly and works to get along with co-workers and is a team player, they respect authority and are comfortable working with a supportive and assertive leader, shows patience and loyalty are good listeners and like to help others.  40% of the population are amiable and may be seen by others as indecisive and resistant to change.  Mother Theresa is an example of an amiable type.

Works with others as part of a team to achieve success

Identifying Analytical or Compliant – people that relate to the following phrases – precision and quality orientation, appreciates working with details, conscientious and thorough, enjoys working where critical thinking is needed, maintains high standards, tends to be well organized, prefers systematic approach, are seen as dependable and are steady and consistent performers, they emphasize rationale, facts, data and logic.  14% of the population is compliant or analytical and maybe seen by others as overly concerned with perfection and overly focused on the little things. Bill Gates is an example of a compliant type.

Works within rules and procedures to achieve success

Next time I’ll discuss how we can work more effectively with the other styles.