A working understanding of temperament styles (personality types) will have a profound impact on the way you perceive yourself and will greatly enhance all of your relationships. If you are a salesperson, this information will significantly increase your sales effectiveness by enabling you to build trust and rapport quickly with your prospects and customers. Business owners and managers find this knowledge invaluable. It can improve the way you supervise your employees and allow you to recruit more effectively. As a parent, it can dramatically improve the way you relate to your children. If you are single, it can provide you insight into selecting a compatible mate.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, has been credited with originating the basic theory of temperament styles twenty-four hundred years ago. Hippocrates believed that we are born with a combination of four genetic influences that he called humors; Choleric (Worker), Sanguine (Talker), Phlegmatic (Watcher), and Melancholy (Thinker). He observed that these four styles have a direct influence on our physiology, character traits and outlook on life. In fact, the word temperament which is commonly used to describe personality types is a Latin term which means, “a mixing in due portion.” While we are each born with a primary temperament, our personality is comprised of all four styles. My temperament training system gives you the tools and knowledge to recognize a person’s primary temperament style through observation. Each primary temperament style exhibits a body language preference and has distinctive physical features and characteristics that are neither gender, race, nor age specific. This is a significant breakthrough in the study of temperament understanding because it is a practical system that can be used with everyone you meet. My temperament-training program allows you to put this information to use in your day-to-day encounters from the boardroom to the kitchen table. This article showcases the Choleric/Worker temperament style.
The Worker temperament style is the D, or Driver, in the D.I.S.C temperament profiling system. The Worker is extroverted and aggressive by nature. They are natural born leaders that can make decisions. They are “results oriented” and have a “bottom line” approach to life. This style is the classic “Workaholic or Type A” personality. They are driven to succeed! The Worker temperament style will overcome opposition to accomplish results. When assigning them a task, do not tell them how to do something, instead give them the project and the results you expect – then turn them loose! The Worker enjoys figuring out the fastest way to get the expected results accomplished.
Workers want to be in charge, they seek power and control. They often appear to others as pushy and insensitive. The Worker’s motto is, “If I wanted your opinion, I would have given it to you.” Workers are risk takers and pride themselves on making quick decisions. Under pressure they will work harder and may lose their temper. When they get angry, their pattern is to blow up like a volcano and then get over their anger quickly. They dislike small talk. When the Worker is around an expressive Talker, they tend to view them as “all talk and no action” or as they say in Texas, “big hat and no cattle!” Workers are impatient and extremely time sensitive. Legendary football coach Vince Lombardy displayed classic Worker traits and was known for his time sensitivity. Coach Lombardy had a personal habit of setting his watch fifteen minutes early. When Lombardy scheduled a meeting, any player or assistant coach that wasn’t ready to go fifteen minutes early was considered late for that meeting!
Physically, Workers are large, powerful people with broad shoulders. When you think of a Worker, think of people like, John Wayne, Pete Rose, Bea Arthur, Jim Brown, Joseph Stalin, Bobby Knight, O.J. Simpson, George C. Scott, George S. Patton, Janet Reno, Vince Lombardy, Mean Joe Green and Mike Tyson.
Worker’s Positive Traits
Confident - Self-reliant - Decisive - Determined - Independent - Practical
Worker’s Negative Traits
Domineering - Aggressive - Insensitive - Impatient - Controlling - Demanding
Worker Behaviors
1. Appears confident and in control.
2. Acts first and thinks later.
3. Ignores small talk.
4. May become angry in traffic or other tie-ups.
5. Respects high achievers.
6. Always plays to win.
7. Believes that “The ends justify the means.”
How Workers Can Improve
1. Go out of your way to be friendly.
2. Try not to dominate and control.
3. Share power by delegating responsibilities.
4. Don’t shout when you feel angry.
5. Enjoy people, not just work.
6. Value kindness and gentleness.
Give credit where credit is due.
About the Author
John Boe, based in Monterey, CA, helps companies recruit, train and motivate top-quality people. To view his online Video Demo or to have John Boe speak at your next event, visit www.johnboe.com or call (831) 375-3668.