WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE

YOU?Working Effectively with Different Personality

Types

Administrative Professionals In-Service

August 2, 2013

Presenter: Margaret Brown

PERSONALITY PROFILES

COMMON CONFLICTS Time constraints and deadlines are an issue. My boss

does work at the last minute and I do it ahead of schedule.

She likes to micromanage and I like to be given a task and be left alone to do it.

I am more detail oriented than my boss and like to have as complete a picture as possible before we make a decision. My boss is a “full speed ahead” kind of guy.

My manager does not check e-mail and calendars on a regular basis and misses many appointments.

There’s often a lack of information because my boss “keeps it all in his head” and does things at the last minute. He’s creative and doesn’t realize the need to plan ahead – including for travel, meetings, and projects.

TYPES OF PERSONALITY PROFILES Myers-Briggs

16 Personality Types Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition,

Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perceiving

Insights4 work styles identified by color energy

Cool Blue, Earth Green, Sunshine Yellow, Fiery Red

Type A/BHigh Strung/Easy Going

Animal Personality Type

COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENTExample:

1 Directing 2 Influencing 4 Steady 3 Cautious

4 Self-Certain 2 Optimistic 3 Deliberate 1 Restrained

COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT

Example:

D I S C

1 Directing 2 Influencing 4 Steady 3 Cautious

4 Self-Certain 2 Optimistic 3 Deliberate 1 Restrained

1 Adventurous 2 Enthusiastic 4 Predictable 3 Logical

1 Decisive 2 Open 3 Patient 4 Analytical

1 Daring 2 Impulsive 4 Stabilizing 3 Precise

2 Restless 1 Emotional 4 Protective 3 Doubting

1 Competitive 2 Persuading 4 Accommodating

3 Curious

2 Assertive 1 Talkative 3 Modest 4 Tactful

2 Experimenting

1 Charming 3 Easy-Going 4 Consistent

1 Forceful 2 Sensitive 4 Sincere 3 Perfectionist

16 TOTAL 17

TOTAL 36 TOTAL 31 TOTAL

GRAPHING THE RESULTS

SCORE D I S C

40        39        38        37        36        35        34        33        32        31        30        29        28        27        26        25        24        23        22        21        20        19        18        17        16        15        14        13        12        11        10        

D I S C

16 17 36 31

GRAPHING THE RESULTS

SCORE D I S C

40        39        38        37        36        35        34        33        32        31        30        29        28        27        26        25        24        23        22        21        20        19        18        17        16        15        14        13        12        11        10        

D I S C

23 27 29 21

D

Strengths:Visionary, Practical, Productive,

Strong Willed, Independent, Decisive,A Leader

Weaknesses:Cold, Domineering, Unemotional,

Unforgiving, Sarcastic

LION/DOMINANCE

PowerfulDesires Control

I

Strengths:Outgoing, Responsive, Warm,

Friendly, Talkative, Enthusiastic,Compassionate

Weaknesses:Undisciplined, Exaggerates,

Showy, Avoids Details, Egocentric

OTTER/INFLUENCE

PopularDesires Fun

S

Strengths:Calm, Easy Going, Dependable,

Quiet, Objective, Diplomatic,Humorous

Weaknesses:Selfish, Stingy, Worrier,

Procrastinator, Indecisive

GOLDEN RETRIEVER/STEADINESS

PeacefulDesires Peace

C

Strengths:Analytical, Self Disciplined,

Industrious, Organized, Accurate,Factual, Practical

Weaknesses:Moody, Inflexible,

Touchy, Unsociable, Critical

BEAVER/COMPLIANCE

PerfectDesires

Perfection

Strengths: • Visionary, Practical,

Productive, Strong Willed, Independent, Decisive, A Leader

Weaknesses: • Cold, Domineering,

Unemotional, Unforgiving, Sarcastic

Strengths: • Outgoing, Responsive, Warm,

Friendly, Talkative, Enthusiastic,Compassionate

Weaknesses: • Cold, Domineering,

Unemotional, Unforgiving, Sarcastic

Strengths: • Analytical, Industrious,

Self Disciplined, Organized, Aesthetic, Sacrificing

Weaknesses: • Moody, Self Centered,

Touchy, Unsociable, Critical

Strengths: • Calm, Easy Going,

Dependable, Quiet, Objective, Diplomatic, Humorous

Weaknesses: • Selfish, Stingy,

Fearful, Procrastinator, Worrier, Indecisive, Unmotivated

LION/DOMINANCE OTTER/INFLUENCE

BEAVER/COMPLIANCE RETRIEVER/STEADINESS

Extroverted

Introverted

TaskFocused

People Focused

D

Behavioral Tendencies: Compelled by ego – forceful and competitive Task oriented - move people to action, desire and

cause change Motivated by directness - do not like to be

entertained or restrained Basic Fear - being taken advantage of, criticism of

their character Limitations – impatience, selective

listeners, have “blind spots” concerning awareness of others’ views and feelings.

LION/DOMINANCE

I

Behavioral Tendencies: Optimistic and people oriented Socially oriented, emotionally energetic,

loves to entertain Motivated by social recognition – needs

companionship and group support Basic fear – rejection, disapproval in

relationships, task criticism (they often interpret this as a personal rejection) Limitations – unorganized in

accomplishing tasks unless they are also a high “D”

OTTER/INFLUENCE

S

Behavioral Tendencies: Pragmatic, a team player or family person Likes concrete results, the “bottom line”

approach Motivated by loyalty Respectful of procedures Basic fear – loss of stability, the unknown,

unplanned change Limitations –

possessiveness and adherence to code of order and desire for tranquility limits their ability to act decisively or face difficult situations

GOLDEN RETRIEVER/STEADINESS

C

Behavioral Tendencies: Accurate and precise – concerned for

quality control Highly intuitive – people readers Motivated by the correct or proper way

to do something Disciplined Basic fear – criticism of their

work or effort Limitations – overly critical

and demanding of both themselves and others because of high standards; they rarely vocalize their criticisms

BEAVER/COMPLIANCE

As combat generals: The Lion attacks, attacks, attacks the enemy but

forgets to order supplies, munitions, and replacement troops.

The Otter coordinates with commanders on all fronts and lobbies for a harmonious battle plan everyone will like.

The Golden Retriever attacks in an orderly, conventional manner just like he was taught at the Academy.

The Beaver inventories all of his supplies and vows not to attack until every piece of equipment he needs is delivered.

SITUATIONAL EXAMPLES

Shopping for a new car: The Golden Retriever takes her time and shops

several dealers, looking for a model like the one she already has.

The Beaver asks questions about performance, financing, and equipment.

The Otter immediately selects the flashy new model everyone will envy.

The Lion never shows up. She gets someone else to buy it for her.

SITUATIONAL EXAMPLES

Isolated in a north woods cabin for the winter: The Golden Retriever settles in to catch up on

some reading or starts a woodworking project.

The Lion gets cabin fever in a week and decides to remodel the cabin.

The Beaver begins reading a book that explains how to live in an isolated north woods cabin.

The Otter snowshoes into the woods everyday to talk to the animals.

SITUATIONAL EXAMPLES

UNDERSTANDING THE ANIMAL

TEMPERAMENTS

UNDERSTANDING THE LION/DOMINANCE ANIMAL“Do it now!” “What’s the point?”

Environment: lots of projects, awards on the wall, large calendar, office furniture arranged in a formal way

Gain Security by: control

Pace: fast and decisive

Needs: a climate that responds

Irritated by: wasted time, unpreparedness, arguing, blocking results

For Growth They Need to: appear less critical, respect people’s personal worth, develop tolerance for conflict, pace themselves

Avoid With Them: attacking his/her character, telling them what to do, presenting win-lose scenarios

UNDERSTANDING THE OTTER/INFLUENCE ANIMAL“Trust me!” “Lighten up!”

Environment: cluttered, awards and slogans on the wall, personal pictures, friendly

Gain Security by: flexibility

Pace: fast and spontaneous

Needs: a climate that collaborates

Irritated by: too many facts, too much logic, boring tasks, same old approach, routine, being alone, ignoring their opinions

For Growth They Need to: respect priorities, more logical approach, follow through, get better organized, concentrate on the task at hand

Avoid With Them: negativism, rejection, arguing

UNDERSTANDING THEGOLDEN RETRIEVER/STEADINESS ANIMAL“Why change?” “Let’s work together!”

Environment: family pictures, slogans on the wall, personal items, relaxed friendly decorations

Gain Security by: close relationships

Pace: slow and easy

Needs: a climate that processes

Irritated by: pushy and aggressive behavior,insincerity, being put on the spot, disrupting the status quo

For Growth They Need to: take risks, delegate to others, confront, develop confidence in others, learn to change and adapt

Avoid With Them: conflict, sudden unplanned risky changes, overloading, confusing

UNDERSTANDING THE BEAVER/COMPLIANCE ANIMAL“Do it right!” “Prove it!”

Environment: structured and organized, charts and graphs, functional decor, formal seating arrangement

Gain Security by: preparation

Pace: slow and systematic

Needs: a climate that describes

Irritated by: people who do not know what they are talking about, lack of attention to detail, surprises, unpredictability

For Growth They Need to: make faster decisions, tolerate conflict, learn to compromise, adjust to change and disorganization

Avoid With Them: criticizing, blunt personal questions, incomplete or inaccurate recommendations

COMMUNICATING AMONGST THE ANIMAL TEMPERAMENTS

COMMUNICATING WITH THE LION/DOMINANCE ANIMAL“Do it now!” “What’s the point?” Wants You to Be: efficient and to the point

Provide Them With: options, information onwhat it does and by when, freedom to act, immediate action

General Strategies: be efficient and competent, support their goals and objectives, if you disagree – argue facts and not personal feelings, be precise, time disciplined, well organized, focus on the results or bottom-line, do not waste their time, let them make the decision

COMMUNICATING WITH THE OTTER/INFLUENCE ANIMAL“Trust me!” “Lighten up!” Wants You to Be: stimulating and interesting

Provide Them With: quality, information on how it will enhance their status, increased talent, originality, uniqueness

General Strategies: be interested in them, support their dreams, feelings and opinions, be sociable, do not hurry the discussion – give them a chance to verbalize, try not to argue, don’t deal with details – put it all in writing, do not be shy, agree on the specifics of any arrangement

COMMUNICATING WITH THEGOLDEN RETRIEVER/STEADINESS ANIMAL

“Why change?” “Let’s work together!” Wants You to Be: cooperative and pleasant Provide Them With: assurances, information

on how it will affect their circumstances, popular ideas, risk sharing, reliability, assistance in presenting to others

General Strategies: be non-threatening andsincere, show personal interest and support their feelings, don’t push, move along in a slow manner, show that you are listening, be easy-going, assure them that you stand behind any decisions

COMMUNICATING WITH THE BEAVER/COMPLIANCE ANIMAL“Do it right!” “Prove it!” Wants You to Be: accurate and precise Provide Them With: evidence, information

on how they can logically justify, systematicplans, progress reviews

General Strategies: be thorough and well planned, support their thoughtful approach, demonstrate through action rather than words,be exact, organized, and prepared, give them time to verify your words, don’t rush decision making, avoid gimmicks, provide evidence that what you say is true and accurate

SEVEN TIPS FOR OVERCOMING CLASHING WORK STYLES Take the high road Work with what you have Get on the same page Check in regularly Put yourself in the other person’s shoes Don’t take it personally Know your own behaviors

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION References

Weird Guy Blog by Eric Brown http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/27/communicating-amongst-

the-animal-temperaments/

http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/09/05/how-leadership-styles-affect-productivity/

http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/leadership-styles-dictatorial-authoritative-consultative-participative/

http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/09/05/leadership-styles-when-to-use-them/

http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/22/personality-types-lion-beaver-otter-and-golden-retriever/

http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/understanding-the-animal-temperaments/

Personality Plus by Terri L. White http://koinonia-all.org/homeschool/personality.htm

Joy in the Journey http://proverbs4.blogspot.com/2006/03/what-animal-are-you.html

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION References (continued)

The Smalley Center – Free Personality Test http://smalley.cc/images/Personality-Test1.pdf

Gary Smalley Personality Types Inventory http://www3.dbu.edu/jeanhumphreys/SocialPsych/smalleytrentperson

ality.htm

Wikipedia – DISC Assessment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment