The Driving Force behind Individual Goals and Objectives All of us who join community organizations do so for some reason — for example, to make new friends, provide resources for the needy, to help solve complex social problems, or to become more effective leaders in the community. But how many of us are really conscious of the underlying behavioral forces that drive our daily existence? I am referring to a theory of personality temperaments: the four major and sixteen minor temperament behavior patterns that in many ways characterize our feelings, goals, interests, work, and, ultimately, our destiny. Many of you have heard about this concept under different names. Many know of it as the Myers/Briggs Type Indicator. Others see it in films like The Wizard of Oz but don’t recognize the concept. A few have read about it in different books. David Keirsey, author of Please Understand Me and Please Understand Me II, provides an in-depth analysis of the history, behaviors, interests, orientation, strengths, and weaknesses of each of these major and minor archetypes. The Keirsey model of temperaments assumes individuals fall into one of four major categories based on a personality profile of being Introvert (I) or Extrovert (E), Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F), and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P). Although there are sixteen possible permutations, research shows that many behavior characteristics can be grouped into four main archetypal models. These four as named by Keirsey include the Artisan (SP), Guardian (SJ), Idealist (NF), and Rational (NT) temperaments. Artisans can often be described as people gifted in a particular technical skill, such as handicraft, music, painting, sculpting, writing, acting, sports, etc. They also include martial arts and military tactics, politics, and speech delivery. Famous Artisans include Ernest Hemingway, General Patton, Bruce Lee, Ronald Reagan, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. Artisans have an individualistic mentality and need lots of stimulation (like Bill Clinton). They are skillful in the art of tactics, the use of materials, and techniques to further one’s advantage over another. They are most effective as negotiators. Guardians are often seen as traditionalists concerned about the organization of society and the distribution of goods and resources. They include business professionals, government leaders and bureaucrats, charity and hospital administrators, and merchants. Famous Guardians include George Washington, George Bush, Harry Truman, John D. Rockefeller, J. C. Penney, and E. F. Hutton. Guardians are very concerned about the way societies are structured. They feel a sense of duty and allegiance to their country, and have a high standard of morality. Guardians are skillful business types. They provide a stabilizing role in society. Idealists, sometimes regarded as the dreamers and romantics of their times, desire to uplift the emotional well-being and spiritual direction of others. They typically include teachers, psychologists, counselors, and religious leaders. Famous Idealists include Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Joan of Arc. No American president has ever been an Idealist. Idealists put morale over morals, have strong beliefs in their faith, and desire to be catalysts for change. They are also skillful in the art of diplomacy. Rationals are the deep thinkers and visionaries responsible for many of the technological breakthroughs and advances of modern society. They are typically found in the sciences, and industries undergoing dramatic change. Famous Rationals include Bill Gates, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, Adolph Hitler, and Abraham Lincoln. They are highly pragmatic, very analytical, yearn for achievement, and are always seeking greater knowledge. They are skillful in the art of strategic thinking. These archetypal names and concepts were not invented by Keirsey, but date back to Plato (c. 340 B.C.). Early medical thinkers extrapolated these concepts into models of sickness and health, believing that illness was due to an imbalance of bodily humors (fluids) and mania. Galen, a Roman physician (c. A.D. 190), described the four archetypes as Sanguine, Melancholic, Choleric, and Phlegmatic. His theories on balanced health lasted through the 19th century. My personal favorite classification description and book is King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, written by Robert Moore in the early 1990s. Moore, a Jungian psychologist, published his theories on male archetypes alongside the poet and mythological storyteller Robert Bly. Bly used Moore’s esoteric archetypes, identified the character nature of them in stories like Iron John, and analogized their struggles to those of many men trying to sort out the various crises and dilemmas in their personal lives. The impact they had created the "men’s movement," an awakening in men to better understand their emotions as archetypal temperaments. History, medicine, and psychology aside, we only have to look to the arts for a more modern and less intellectual example of temperament theory. The Wizard of Oz, a Hollywood classic, is seen by most as a story of a little girl in a childish fantasy dream. Yet a closer examination reveals the four major characters as individual temperaments missing something that will give them their core identity as described by Keirsey and Moore. Dorothy, the lonely wanderer, stumbles first upon the scarecrow, who wants a brain (Rational/Magician). She then meets the Tin man, who wants a heart (Idealist/Lover), and the lion, who wants courage (Artisan/Warrior). Dorothy herself acts as the leader and takes responsibility for the welfare and needs of all her new friends, but lacks confidence and direction (Guardian/King [Queen]). Presidential politics also can be evaluated through temperament theory based on the book Presidential Temperaments by Choiniere and Keirsey. This fall’s presidential race features a battle between two types. Al Gore, a probable Rational type, is concerned about the environment, once claimed credit for the technological advance of the Internet, and is regarded as a fierce strategist in debates. His opponent George W. Bush, like his father, is a Guardian concerned about the integrity and honor of the office he serves. History generally favors Guardians over Rational types as President, perhaps due to reasons of stability (Washington), commerce activity (Nixon), and a better sense of connection with the public (Carter). Rationals, to achieve popularity, must convince the public that they are capable of solving complex problems (Lincoln), or, having done so, are simply admired for past performance (Eisenhower/Grant/Jefferson). So what does all this have to do with a service club or organization and its members' own personal goals and objectives? Members of a club are continually trying to assess their own personal needs, while also trying to be of service to other members and the club organization as a whole. Understanding temperament theory helps members to focus attention on areas important to them as well as understanding the opinions and needs of others. For example, a new candidate comes in and wants to know how your organization meets the needs of its members and the community. The answer you give may undoubtedly influence their decision whether to join. Through the use of small talk, you may be able to judge their likely temperament and then fashion an appropriate response. Temperament theory suggests you tailor your response in the following way: Artisans They are a lively temperament and will examine a club’s social atmosphere, interesting membership, impact on the community, and dynamic leadership. Artisans like a good party, and need lots of stimulation. They are a very generous group, giving gifts spontaneously. They also want to have an impact on club issues and the community at large. Artisans are gifted mechanics and will also enjoy helping to operate and fix equipment the club uses in its work. Guardians The most likely to be club officers, they care a lot about the club and how it is organized. Rules and procedures are very important to them. They want to know how the meeting is run, who is in charge, how funds are handled, and how problems are taken care of. Guardians are socially conscious people. They like to see individuals rewarded for the work they perform through trophies, ribbons, and other prizes for completing a task or serving an office. Guardians enjoy the practice of public ceremony through initiation of new members and officers as well. Idealists Concern for the genuine feelings of club members is most important to Idealists, who take interest in how people are mentored and treated within the club. The work of the organization must serve the needs of its members rather than just the club. Members must also enjoy being in the club and look forward to coming to meetings. Above all, Idealists want to believe the organization really can make a difference in their lives and in the world around them. Personal success stories of club accomplishments in the community will fulfill their desire to make the world a better place to live. Rationals The most serious-minded of the personality types, these temperaments enjoy the educational opportunities involved in studying club issues, and solving complex business and social problems. They enjoy working, with an effort to achieving their objectives, seeking the deference of others for their accomplishments. In times of turmoil they remain calm, trusting reason to work through everyday problems. As leaders, they are visionaries for the organization. Determining the profile of others (particularly newcomers) by observation is admittedly not an easy or objective way to judge temperament. All of us are, in fact, a blend of the four types, each at varying strengths, and sometimes changing throughout our lives. In general a person’s temperament is best determined using profile tests now found online at <http://www.keirsey.com/>. I suggest that you try this on yourself to get started, and as you get comfortable learning more about it you may then be able to discuss and encourage others to discover and report their own temperament types. Testing does not guarantee an accurate assessment. It is best to compare your results with the personality characteristics of the four temperaments for accuracy. These are just a few of the ways personality temperament theory can be used and understood by members to improve club membership, build better relationships between members, and increase overall interest and participation at meetings. When not applied too rigidly, it offers alternative models for understanding individual motivation and behaviors, helps us to identify our strengths and weaknesses, and provides us the insight we need to fulfill our destiny. Clubs interested in having Bob Goldberg as a guest speaker on this subject in the Seattle area can reach him via e-mail at <Robgol@Prodigy.net>. Bob is a member of Toastmasters and the Ballard Oddfellows Fraternal Lodge. |