Connect With The Temperaments

I recently re-read the book, “Personality Plus” by Florence Littauer. As described, here is a detailed summary of the four personality profiles along with additional details on their history and development:

Melancholic
Phelgmatic
Sanguine
Choleric

Melancholic :

Indicates the personality of an individual characterized by black bile; hence (Greek μελας, melas, “black”, + χολη, kholé, “bile”); a person who was a thoughtful ponderer had a melancholic disposition. Often very kind and considerate, melancholics can be highly creative – as in poets and artists – but also can become overly obsessed on the tragedy and cruelty in the world, thus becoming depressed. It also indicates the season of autumn (dry and cold) and the element of earth. A melancholy is also often a perfectionist, being very particular about what they want and how they want it in some cases. This often results in being unsatisfied with one’s own artistic or creative works, always pointing out to themselves what could and should be improved.

This temperament describes the depressed phase of a bipolar disorder.

There is no bodily fluid corresponding to black bile. However, the medulla of the adrenal glands decomposes very rapidly after death, and it is possible that this product is the mythical “black bile”.

(+) Sensitive, loves music and art, analytical, emotionally responsive, dependable friend, faithful, loyal, makes friends cautiously.

(-) Moody, gloomy, pessimistic, likes to suffer (martyr mentality), hypochondriac, proud, depressive, introspective to the point of being harmful, carry grudge and revengeful, critical of others and imperfections, suspicious of others.

Phelgmatic :

A phlegmatic person is calm and unemotional. Phlegmatic means pertaining to phlegm, corresponds to the season of winter (wet and cold), and connotes the element of water.

While phlegmatics are generally self-content and kind, their shy personality can often inhibit enthusiasm in others and make themselves lazy and resistant to change. They are very consistent, relaxed, rational, curious, and observant, making them good administrators and diplomats. Like the sanguine personality, the phlegmatic has many friends. But the phlegmatic is more reliable and compassionate; these characteristics typically make the phlegmatic a more dependable friend.

(+) Calm, dependable, peace-loving, good listener, gives advice only when asked, works well under pressure, neat, conservative.

(-) Lacks confidence in self, rarely laughs aloud, compromising, selfish and stingy, unenthusiastic, indifferent, attitude of superiority, uninvolved spectator, lack of motivation, indecisive.

Sanguine :

Indicates the personality of an individual with the temperament of blood, the season of spring (wet and hot), and the element of air. A person who is sanguine is generally optimistic, cheerful, confident, popular, and fun-loving. He or she can be daydreamy to the point of not accomplishing anything and can be impulsive, possibly acting on whims in an unpredictable fashion. Sanguines usually have a lot of energy, but have a problem finding a way to direct the energy. This also describes the manic phase of a bipolar disorder.

(+) Warm, lively, charismatic, talkative, compassionate, carefree, sociable, always smiling and friendly, gifted in caring for sick.

(-) Emotionally unpredictable, restless, exaggerates the truth, spontaneous outburst of anger, naive and childlike, impulsive buyer, completely disorganized, enjoys people and forget them, fall short of goal, easily distracted.

Choleric:

Corresponds to the fluid of yellow bile, the season of summer (dry and hot), and the element of fire. A person who is choleric is a doer and a leader. They have a lot of ambition, energy and drive, and try to instill it in others, and can dominate people of other temperaments, especially phlegmatic types. Many great charismatic, military and political figures were cholerics. On the negative side, they are easily angered or bad tempered.

In folk medicine, a baby referred to as “colic” is one who cries frequently and seems to be constantly angry. This is an adaptation of “choleric,” although no one now would attribute the condition to bile. Similarly, a person described as “bilious” is mean-spirited, suspicious, and angry. This, again, is an adaptation of the old humour theory “choleric.”

The disease Cholera gained its name from choler (bile).

(+) Confident and natural leader, strong-willed, self-determined, optimistic, motivator, good organizer, quick and bold in emergencies, sets goals and reaches them.

(-) overly self-confident, prejudiced, violent anger problem, unsympathetic and harsh, makes decision for others, tends to dominate group, bored by details, opinionated.

Temperament is the oldest theory of human behavior. It was conceived by the Greek physician Hippocrates, who is known as the “father of modern medicine.” He believed that certain human behaviors were caused by the body fluids or humors.

Since temperaments are a part of our genes, they cannot be changed. And most of us are usually a combination of two of the temperaments. This means that you could be a MelChlor, SanPhelg, ChlorSan, SanMel or MelSan or PhelgMel. There are a total of 12 blends of temperaments.

I, in turn, incorporated this information in a recent business training seminar about strategies on how to present a business marketing plan to individuals/groups while adapting to accommodate their personality traits/temperaments. By identifying these traits in others, you increase your connectivity, relatability and profitability. Here is a summary…

When presenting to a choleric personality (driver), talk about control, ownership, leadership, “setting the pace” and the “bottom line”. Forget the heavy details; does it work and if so, give them basic instructions (a framework) and they’re off.

When presenting to a sanguine personality (expressive), talk about being creative, having fun, recognition, freedom to perform as they see fit and variety. Show them why they won’t get bored with the project/venture.

When presenting to a phlegmatic personality (amiable), talk about security, dependability, relationships, stability and loyalty. When they believe in the project/venture, they are very loyal and become great team players. Allow them to adjust/assimilate the information as necessary.

When presenting to a melancholic personality (analytic), talk about precision, practicality, quality control, details and facts. Allow them time to do their research and digest it accordingly.

Practical application of this information is vital if your interacting with others on a frequent basis as an entrepreneur, professional or social networker. Have a keen eye and be wise and you’ll also be able to connect with the temperaments.

Respect & Honor…Nitro

~ by Nitro on February 7, 2008.