Temperament Typing
Our personalities are made up of two sides, one of which is temperament and the other character. Temperament is a configuration of inclinations, while character is a configuration of habits. Temperament is pre-disposition while character is disposition. Through these two sides we develop our unique personalities. The theory of four different types of temperament and the identification of type has been studied and debated for centuries, however the 20th century saw great strides in this area by such people as the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, the well known Isobel Myers-Briggs, and by Dr. David Kiersey. While very effective, tools developed by these individuals were quite clinical in nature and not of interest to the average person. The late seventies saw further development with a model known as True Colors which made the process one that was effective through the utilization of colors acting as metaphors for identification. This model was one of the first that provided interest to the layman.
Parker Communications Group is proud to be able to offer the latest internationally recognized model, a Canadian developed product known as Personality Dimensions®. It has been developed to incorporate the best of all past models and which promotes the identification and appreciation of the individual while appreciating the differences and strengths of others. Delivered in workshop format, this process provides individuals with the tools to achieve a higher level of self-esteem, communicate with a higher degree of efficiency, operate more effectively in a team format, and provide tools to reduce conflict.
Benefits
In the corporate world where effective training and development is essential for meeting strategic objectives, an understanding of personality or temperament theory is a very effective tool in facilitating team creation, in the building in corporate communications, and in enhancing customer service and satisfaction, providing innovative solutions to problems by tapping into the creative energy of every temperament type to enable them to quickly adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Personality Dimensions promotes the acquisition of tools and techniques for engaging different personality types in the creative problem-solving process. The emphasis is on positive, affirming self-discovery regardless of the environment.
The ability to work well with colleagues and co-workers is more important than ever simply because in order to leverage limited resources to maximum effort, so much of the work is being done in a team setting.
With regards to the individual participant, Personality Dimensions will help foster and deepen understanding of self and others; develop the ability to communicate with and understand individuals of all temperaments, improve relationships with family and friends and build strong interpersonal relations in social situations as well as work.
Personality Dimensions® emphasizes the self-discovery process, and uses the highly effective, time-honoured learning technique of manipulating cards to engage the participant and reinforce learning. Participants choose the temperament or personality that is most like them from the four temperament-based Picture Cards which are represented by a unique marriage of internationally accepted, non-offensive, high impact colours and specially-selected, easily recognized and representative symbols.
These personal selections are then reinforced by selecting Dimensions Cards that are most representative of the individual in some or all of the following areas, depending on the type of program that is being facilitated for:
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Life Values
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In Communication
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At Work
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In Conflict
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In Relationships
The instrument further explores personal temperament preferences by having participants complete a Traits & Characteristics Choices component in which they explore their personal values, traits, strengths, characteristics, and behaviours, and those of each of the other three temperament types, as well as their own preference for Introversion or Extraversion. Preference for Introversion or Extraversion, although not actually a part of temperament theory, is included because this dimension of personality is very important to understanding how we relate to others and how we are perceived.
A question asked occasionally is “Does this tool categorize people/” The answer is a definite “Yes”. Recognizing that ‘categorizing’ is not necessarily a negative thing. and ‘categorizing’ is very different from labeling or pigeonholing. “So, does this tool pigeonhole or label people?” The answer is ‘Absolutely not!” Led through the workshop by a skilled facilitator, participants will not feel labeled in any way. On the contrary, they will leave feeling proud of who they are and comforted in the knowledge that there are others in this world who share many of their values and perspectives, and will be pleased to have found others who truly understand and appreciate them. In addition, they will gain a deeper understanding of challenges and conflicts in their lives, as well as an appreciation of the different preferences of other personality types. This deeper understanding will help them to value themselves and others, to gain new respect for differences, and to seek practical ways for improving interpersonal relations.
Simply put, Personality Dimensions® is about preferences, not labels. It is about similarities and differences and learning to appreciate both. It is about enhancing self-esteem and improving interpersonal communications.
Further self-discovery during the second half of the workshop provides participants with the tools to better work within a team approach while reducing conflict. Based on the need of the organization a focus can be placed on team building, conflict resolution, leadership development or a combination of the above.
