Introdução
Our job is to transform all of the most important relationships in your life. Colleagues, clients, family members – you will never look at people the same way again.
TypeCoach is the first company to combine an online platform with training designed to improve interpersonal communication. Graduates of our programs become adaptive communicators, and know how to recognize the different personality types in others and adjusting their approach accordingly.
Our Framework
We use two models of personality type in our work. The first is the 4 Temperaments framework popularized by David Keirsey, a California psychologist who, in the 1970s, helped shed light on this powerful model which has been seen throughout human history and across cultures. We use the Temperament framework because it explains so much of the WHY behind behaviors. Understanding the core drivers at the heart of someone else’s personality is powerful in the context of working together on a team, managing others, influencing or selling – and just living with family and friends whose actions stem from very different motivational sources.
We also use the Jung/Myers model. This model was originally developed by Dr. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist whose influence extends from the 1920s through today, and then further adapted and popularized by the designers of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator(r) (MBT(r)). We do not use the MBTI for a number of reasons, but we are staunch supporters of the underlying model of personality as it is both consistent with our own observations and work over the last 20 years and because it is central to how communication works (or doesn’t).
We use these two frameworks to help teams build trust, communicate, and outperform… to help leaders understand the different approaches they can take to bring out greatness in the people they are leading… and to help salespeople and those in key influencing roles to adjust their approach to convince people of very different perspectives to get on board with new products, services, ideas, etc.
With our tools being available for anyone involved in making a decision to use us, please reach out to try them for yourself. This two-minute demo will get you started.
Personality Type Preferences
The Jung/Myers model articulates 4 preference categories, and the idea that each person “prefers” one element more than the other. When we say “prefer” what we mean is that they find activities related to that preference to be more natural and energizing. We all spend parts of our day out of our preference and most people are adept at using both elements. Understanding the preferences in others is a powerful tool in adjusting one’s communication accordingly, because the most effective communicators don’t take the same approach with each person they meet. We’ve found that the Jung/Myers preferences are powerful to understand when it comes to how people take in and process information.
Key Considerations
Before diving in, it’s worth noting that all of the TypeCoach training programs start with these key points:
- These are NOT labels (tendencies only)
- ALL types are good (no better or worse)
- YOU decide your best-fit type!
- Promotes awareness (emotional intelligence)
The first preference has to do with how we direct and receive our energy. Extraverts tend to gain energy from the outside world, and introverts tend to gain energy from time in their inner world. In the workplace and on teams, this shows up in how ideas are shared and how best thinking happens.
Light bulb Innovators (intuitives) prefer to stay focused on the big-picture strategy and future vision, so innovation means coming up with brand new ways of doing things. Process Innovators (sensors) naturally zoom into the specifics and practical concerns as soon as they hear about a new idea, so innovation means improving something that currently exists.
Some colleagues (thinkers) respond best when others are direct and to-the-point, staying focused on the logical analysis of a topic or decision. Others (feelers) are focused on building and maintaining a personal connection with colleagues, and lose motivation without regular positive feedback.
Some colleagues (judgers) like to plan, prepare, decide and work as far in advance as possible, and can struggle with plans changing or unexpected complications. Others (perceivers) like to leave their options open as long as possible, and are energized by changes that occur along the way.
The Temperaments
David Keirsey’s work to illuminate the 4 Temperament model also included integrating that framework with the Jung/Myers model. As you can see below, those with a Sensing preference and a Judging preference match up with the group we call Traditionalists. This group has been called many things over the years – everything from Guardians to Stabilizers. But the consistent element with this group is their desire to be reliable and responsible. Like all of the Temperaments, much of our actions (and those of others) can be traced back to their core values. This is our most fundamental “WHY” operating as a hidden source of motivation and energy.
Understanding the temperament of others is powerful as it first allows us to understand that just because someone is doing something we may not like or appreciate, it is often not their intent to frustrate or annoys us. Secondly, most of the major conflicts we experience in our lives occur when someone’s core values are being attacked (intentionally or otherwise) or when people approach a situation with opposing core values (a desire to innovate and advance vs. a desire to stick with the safe and known).
You can see more information about the temperamentos below, and find descriptions for each of the 16 different types further down.
The Four Temperaments
Tradicionalistas
ESTJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, ISFJ
Core Driver: To be reliable and responsible
Managing details and juggling an incredible number of balls, SJs (sensor judgers) tend to follow the rules and systems and are cautious about taking risks or adopting new changes.
Experienciadores
ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, ISFP
Core Driver: To get impressive, quick results
Typical SPs (sensor perceivers) excel at finding elegant and simple solutions to maximize efficiency. Practical, fun-loving, and great under pressure, SPs focus on the here and now and the short-term.
Conceptualizadores
ENTJ, ENTP, INTJ, INTP
Core Driver: To raise the bar, leave a legacy
Big-picture innovation and long-term strategy are the hallmarks of NTs (intuitive thinkers). Independent and curious, NTs like to explore the logic on all sides of an issue, often through debate.
Idealistas
ENFJ, ENFP, INFJ, INFP
Core Driver: To help others reach their potential
Friendly and relationship-motivated, NFs (intuitive feelers) are gifted in diplomacy and collaboration. Their people-focused vision helps them to find win-win long-term solutions that leave organizations or the world better than they found it.
