This post will kick off my series on reviewing the Top 5 books recommended by Orrin Woodward (2011 IAB Top Leader, Top 25 Leadership Gurus).
First up is Personality Plus - How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself by Florence Littauer.
Orrin is right, this is absolute must read. Florence's basis for this book is Hippocrates' theory of the four temperaments that he established nearly 2500 years ago! I had never been exposed to this theory and it is amazingly accurate. The difference between Hippocrates theory and Florence’s is that she believes you can have traits that cross over these 4 temperaments.
· Popular Sanguine: These are the Social Butterflies. They love to socialize and entertain and always
have a positive attitude. Their weaknesses include not being able to see
through their positive tinted glasses to deal with reality and are forgetful
or‘scatterbrained’.
· Powerful Choleric: Cholerics are the Born Leaders. They are doers and nothing gets in their way.
Although they have the strongest strengths, to me, pureCholerics also
have the greatest weaknesses. They are over-bearing and do not take criticism
well - They are ALWAYS right. Psychologists would classify them as narcissist
or egomaniacs. To go further in David J. Liberman's book You Can Read Anyone
he Hypothesizes that they lack self-love and tend to twist reality to keep from
damaging their Ego. They create the "Protective Layers" that Bill Lewistalked
about at the October Open Meeting. I'm sure you can
tell which temperament I have put a lot of research into!
· Perfect Melancholy: Here you have the Perfectionists. Analytical, thoughtful, and sefl-sacrificing. Their
weaknesses are inaction, due to everything having to be ‘just right’ and also
battling with depression and disappointment.
· Peaceful Phlegmatic: My image here is the Surfer Dude, “hey man, chilllll”. They are complacent and laid
back. Their strengths aren’t that huge, but neither are their weaknesses. They
are just that middle of the road type person.
The book contains a 80 question survey to help you determine what your personality type is. I recommend taking it yourself and also having your mate; good friend, etc… rate you as well. This will help reveal hidden or suppressed traits you might not see through your rose colored glasses!
While reading this book you’ll immediately put names to the personality types. Yourself, Spouse, children, parents, friends, co-workers, your BOSS! I could not pinpoint my Son though. I actually printed a stack off to have everyone in the household complete together and discuss. The family exercise will help everyone further understand each other's personalities.
Let me step up on the soap box here for a minute – There is a reason you will find these type of books in the SELF-help section at your local bookstore (or available through your LIFEmentor – excuse the blatant advertising!) They are meant for YOU to help YOURSELF! Not to change your Spouse, children, or boss. Embrace their strengths! If you are unwilling to take a deep look at yourself, accept your faults, and make a concerted effort to change, the best you can hope for is to use your understanding to manipulate others. Not truly affect change in yourself and therefore in your family, your community, your country, the world.
Mathew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
There is a section in Personality Plus that can be a guide to self change and how to deal with the personality types. I feel the real power of this book is learning to recognize the temperaments and thus allow you to embrace the strengths and combat the weaknesses in yourself and others to motivate and complete each other.
Oh, what personality type am I? If you read the book I’m sure you would have deducted my temperament already. I’ll give you a hint: I am 47.5% one, 27.5% Sanguine, and 25% Choleric.
Thanks for reading!
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