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I was one of those principals who loved learning about temperament or character types. If you’ve been in the educational profession for any length of time you’ve taken them. Most tests have four different types (although the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® MBTI test® has 16). Perhaps you know what “color” temperament you are (e.g. red, yellow, green, or blue…years ago there was a gold…hmmm) or which “animal”? All I remember is an owl, fox, or shark? I can’t leave out the four personality categories; sanguine, choleric, melancholy, or phlegmatic. (I made all my family take that one.) Four Tendencies Book: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels is another one. Recently, my husband and I took the DISC assessment (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, or Conscientiousness). I think I’m thoroughly assessed…HA!

Before we continue…keep in mind all of these tests are just a guide!

As you can tell, I am not a psychologist nor an expert on these tests; however, I still love reading and learning about what makes people tick. As a leader, I’ve found out how instrumental it is to know your staff’s dynamics. 

3 ways understanding staff dynamics at work helps:

1) Understanding yourself.

Before you can understand others, it’s a good idea to know yourself. Good leaders have a true understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. 

Having insight into who you are will aid in dealing with decisions and your interactions with others. For instance, I know that I am a very global thinker. I usually see the big picture and sometimes the details of life will escape me. Knowing this helps me to step back during decision-making time and think through what possible details I might be missing (ummm…most of the time!). 

I’m also a good mix of choleric (independent, hard-working, firm, direct) and phlegmatic (laid-back, systematic, a task finisher) personality type. I can’t decide if this an oxymoron or a dichotomy? HA! Anyway, I’m definitely more choleric on the work front. I would come up with an idea and want to take off with it immediately. Charge, full speed ahead! I happened to have an administrative assistant that was melancholy (patient, orderly, and loved details) who would basically bring me back down-to-earth. It was a great match. She saved me on several occasions from making mistakes, but also cheered me (and steered me) on when I did charge ahead!

What temperament type are you in the work setting? Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? 

2) Understanding Others

It’s fun learning about yourself, but I enjoy learning about others more. People are so interesting! I love to go to places and just people watch. 🙂

Remember I told you that I made all of my family take the sanguine, choleric, melancholy, or phlegmatic test? I found out my Mom’s primary trait is melancholy. So many good things about this personality trait. They tend to be the musicians of the world, they love societal order, hierarchy, family, and friends; however, another feature is that they can be emotionally sensitive. Growing up, this choleric could make my melancholy Mom cry. Oops. And for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why?!?! Cholerics can be pretty direct (and evidently in my case clueless). I usually never knew what I said to provoke that emotion.  I’ve learned a lot since and we’re still best buds. 🙂 

Employees bring their own gifts and personality traits to add to the work setting. If you are looking for someone to present an idea or activity at your next staff meeting,  it’s good to know that sanguine types will be the ones that most likely can be called upon to be in that spotlight. Needing someone to serve at a function? Find a melancholy.

A word of caution. It’s fun learning about temperament types; however, don’t fall into the trap of putting a permanent label on a person! We all hopefully are always growing and positively changing into the person that we desire. 

Do you know your staff’s temperaments? Understanding the dynamics of their personality or temperament type will help you have better interaction with those you work with (and on the home front!). 

3) Help during the hiring process.

Before the start of a new school year, I had one teacher slot left to fill in third grade. I interviewed a dynamic, out-going, more-than-competent new teacher. She was what most principals would have snatched up in an instant! Thinking about the third-grade team dynamics and personalities, I knew we would have challenges trying to make that applicant work. I went with my gut and kept interviewing. I found out later the candidate I interviewed found an excellent school at the grade level (not 3rd) that she wanted. I was also confident after the school year ended that I had made the right choice in hiring, too. Our new hire was a great match for the 3rd-grade team and an excellent teacher! And my third-grade team’s feedback revealed that the teacher was a “perfect fit” for them!

Again, gaining more knowledge of temperament types will assist leaders in communicating effectively to their staff, and thus build a more positive and productive work environment. 

Free online personality/temperament tests:

Of course, I took the following free online personality/temperament tests below. One had me as an introvert and the other an extrovert. Take your pick? Objective tests like these rely on the individual’s personal responses (this is where knowing yourself helps) but they can vary in their reliability and validity. Remember, to keep in mind these tests are just a guide.

16 personalities

The Four Temperaments  

Lead joyfully,

Gail Boulton

p.s. Try out one of these personality tests for yourself, with your staff, or family! Then, please let us know in the comments about your experience. Any ah-ha moments?