How Understanding Personality Types Can Improve Personal and Business Relationships 
By Siobhan Gamble, Staff Writer

As long as you’ve been on this earth, you have come across some pretty interesting people, wouldn’t you say? You have equally met some who aren’t so appealing and who you wouldn’t consider to be so great. How many times have you recognized something in a person who reminded you either of yourself or someone else you know? You may have undoubtedly recognized the obvious personality differences amongst people, but have you analyzed these prototypes and how their “differences” may affect relationships, whether it is business or personal?   

Dating all the way back to 400 B.C., Hippocrates, who was considered the father of medicine, examined four primary personality types. He based these four types in accordance with certain bodily fluids, which are blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. He named the types sanguine (blood), choleric (yellow bile), melancholy (black bile), and phlegmatic (phlegm). 

Of course in this present day, we know that personality types are in no way related to these fluids, but instead, many psychologists agree that the biochemical structure of the brain is indeed related to the four personality types and combinations of these types.  There are a variety of tests being used today by psychologists, employers and other people that are based on this four personality type model. Names for the four types may vary from place to place, but the information is all the same. For instance, an employer may want to determine whether a potential employee’s behavior tendency is Influence, Compliance, Dominance or Steadiness. Another company may use terms such as Analytical, Driving, Expressive and Amiable. People have come up with many clever derivations, such as using animals to distinguish each type; even food. 

The majority of people are a combination of two or more types. Occasionally, a person may see aspects of each type in themselves but it is required to think in terms of what best describes them most of the time. Of course, I am no psychologist and if you want a more in depth, technical explanation you can do research to find a more clinical enlightenment. I am just a writer, but I have found that having a basic understanding of personality traits not only helps you in business dealings, but will help you respond more appropriately for more effective communication elsewhere. 

The Red People:

These are the pace setters-- the fire starters in almost every aspect of life. They are “result” orientated, extremely directive, and feel that they must be in control.  It’s either their way or no way and they have no problem teaching it to others. These people are great for business and you’ll certainly want them in your corner if you want to get things done. They certainly know how to make it happen.  Not many people possess the ability to do business like they can. 

The Blue People:

There is no one more fun loving or easy going than these people. These light hearted people will be the life of any party. They are great communicators and can also be creative and inspirational. Optimistic they are indeed; but they are certainly far from detail oriented. They are way too occupied and have more important things to worry about other than details. This personality has a very high potential of annoying the Red and Green personality types. 

The Green People:

These are the detail conscious people.  They are extremely analytical and meticulous, following each and every step and reading everything word for word. They are the very people whom if you ask a question will be able to explain everything to a T. They sometimes get so caught up analyzing that they forget to take action.    

The Yellow People:

They are the cuddling type.  They love everyone and in turn everyone loves them back. They are the caring and compassionate types. These people are very dependable and are always on a personal mission to save the world.

Often referred to as the “doormats”, these people are a lot of times walked on because of their over accommodating and self sacrificing traits. They love harmony and working in a “team” setting.  They avoid confrontation as much as possible and wish not to partake in it even when it is needed. They are life long nurtures and are perfect for the business world. 

Of these four personality types, one tends to be dominant. It is not hard to determine once you look into them all and notice a general trend. Once a person understands these types, they can then reflect this style upon the people they are communicating with.  Learning to become neutral can definitely come in handy. It is impossible to force someone to become someone they are not. Instead, working “with” a person’s personality will guarantee success regardless of the personality type. Learning a person’s main characteristics and allowing them to be that way without constantly trying to change them will make a huge difference. 

Siobhan Gamble is a staff writer for The Successful Office Group

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