To Lead and Inspire Change, We Need To Answer "What is My Personality Type?"

What is my personality type? This isn't an important question if you never intend to work with people, never have a desire to take a leadership position, never want a better relationship with your spouse, children, or significant other, or never want to step out of a comfort zone to do big things with your talent.

But chances are you wouldn't be checking into this website if you had any of those reservations. So in this page, I'll share a personal experience that made a big impact on my life and changed the way I interacted with people. It also gave me a boost of confidence. As you'll read, of the four personality traits, mine was very reserved and introverted.

None of the personality traits are bad. They are just different. I learned that most people have parts of more than one of the four personality traits, but there will be one that best describes each of us. I'll give you an overview of the four personality traits along with a description of the insight given to all of us who were in the room when Dr. Robert Rohm provided this valuable information.

Give Me One Good Reason Why I Need To Know "What is My Personality Type?"

If you read our page about the art of listening, you know that I sought the advice of an expert years ago when I wanted to start a new business. He agreed to help me but not until I learned some leadership skills. This event was one of those skills he required of me.

My wife and I made the drive to a large convention center that held 1000 chairs with one hundred tables. I know this because we got there early. I'm never late. I sized up the room, counted the tables and found a good spot. Close enough to take good notes, but not so close as to take the risk of being called on by the speaker.

Lists and note-taking are very important to people with my personality. Being the center of attention is a great fear. As was talking to people I didn't know. I still wondered why I needed to know what is my personality type, but since I wanted that expert help, I had to tough out this presentation by Dr. Robert Rohm, who I would soon discover was an expert in this field.

Dr. Rohm would teach us the DISC program and give us a simple test at the end. We had a sheet with details and directions, so for me that was a good start. My wife, on the other hand, pushed the sheet aside and started a conversation with everyone around her.

The acronym for DISC varies a little, but the consensus is Dominance, Inspiring or Influential, Supportive or Steadiness, Cautious or Conscientious.

Editors note: In the years since I attended the event that is the focus of this page, a new industry has developed. It carries the title, "How to Beat the DISC Test." The reason for this venture is that some organizations and even church offices have taken the good idea of understanding personalities as a way to improve and collaborate and turned it into another control method.

They are using the DISC test as a behavior predictor. A flawed plan at best that suggests a loss of moral compass. There is no reason to "beat the DISC test." It was designed for people to see themselves better and offer a way to relate to other folks in a productive manner.

Words to Describe Personality

On our worksheet, Dr. Rohm had broken down the four quadrants along with a diagram similar to the one following these paragraphs. At the end he gave us a powerful description of the importance of that diagram. In fact he made a bold statement that 80 percent of people who were there with a spouse, partner, or business associate, would fit the specific structure of that image.

He also asked us not to start on the quiz until he finished his presentation. That will be important later in this page.

Here are some words to describe the "D" personality type followed by a review of how Dr. Rohm described that personality type. Remember that I like lists and at that time didn't like talking to people I didn't know. At the end Dr. Rohm made a great point that highlighted the important answers to "what is my personality type" and "why does it matter?"

Decisive,                Direct,                        Determined

Detached,             Demanding,              Defiant

Daring,                  Dedicated,                 Driven

People who are predominately in this category are natural leaders. They see the big picture and are bottom-line oriented. They are risk-takers and love all challenges. They are great under pressure and rise to the occasion in stressful situations.

They can be very demanding and are not always great listeners. They have a fear of losing control and don't get into social discussions. When dealing with type "D" personalities, be direct and rather than saying something won't work, give advice on how something could succeed better. They don't thrive on repetition or details. They want results.

Here are some words to describe the type "I" personality along with some of Dr. Rohm's insight.

Imaginative,                         Insightful,           Intelligent

Iconic,                                   Impulsive,           Inconsistent

Type "I" personalities love people and can't wait to get to the next party. They have no fear of being the center of attention, are always optimistic, and enjoy meeting new people. They are excellent motivators and encouragers.

They aren't always great with details because they find them boring, but they come up with excellent ideas. Sometimes they make impulsive decisions and need someone to handle the specific steps in projects. Type "I" people are fun to be around and shine their light wherever they go.

Here are some words to describe the type "S" personality along with part of what Dr. Rohm taught us.

Sincere,                      Sensitive,               Steady

Supportive,               Selfless,                  Self-Effacing

People who are primarily in the type "S" category love to help people. They put other's needs ahead of their own, and always seek to smooth out controversy. They are excellent listeners and peace-makers. Type "S" people don't like change or confrontation.

They are humble, dependable, and always show empathy for people. They are more concerned with lending a helping hand than in any position in the spotlight.

Here are some words to describe people in the type "C" group. I'll use the pronoun "we" in this section because this is where I belong. It is exactly why I needed to ask, "What is my personality type?," if I ever hoped to succeed in the path I had chosen.

Cautious,                    Conscientious,          Competent

Contemplative,         Consistent,                 Careful

We are list builders because we love to complete tasks. In doing so, we research thoroughly and methodically. We do not like the spotlight. We are usually introverted and like to work by ourselves within a structured system. We aren't afraid to take risks, but we are well-prepared in advance and know the potential pitfalls and the rewards.

We are motivated by logic so if you ask us questions, don't make vague inquiries. Be specific in your request because we deal in details. We aren't put off by criticism if you have a better idea, but just blanket rejection doesn't work well for us.

The Big Lesson

At the end of his presentation, Dr. Rohm did as he said he would do at the start. He gave us the instructions on how to complete the personality type test which contained many more word examples than I shared on this page. But you get the message. This would give us an idea of the answer to "What is my personality type?"

But first he said, "All you type "C" personality guys out there, please put down your pencils because I know you started this quiz about five minutes after I started talking. Let everyone else catch up with you." At our table of ten people there was me and one other guy who had to stop writing, bringing laughter from the rest as we were in that spotlight we didn't like.

Then he said, "But that's okay because you can help all the type "I" people who weren't paying too much attention to the details of my talk, but can give you the names of the people around the table and the names of their kids." We wife and another lady were laughing out loud because they did know all the family names and had decided we would have dinner together that evening.

Dr. Rohm continued, "All you type "D" people who are sitting there with your arms crossed, wondering why you are here and when it will be over, should recognize that real leaders aren't afraid to take these quizzes. They finish what they start. They don't back away from challenges.

And for all of you in the type "S" group, it would make me feel better if you would give a sincere effort to take the quiz. You would be helping me out and it would sure lift my spirits."

When everyone finished their quiz, he went back to his 80% prediction. He said that 80 percent of us would be here with a person directly diagonal on the chart. Type "C" would be with type "I" and "D" with "S". He asked those of us who fit that result to please stand and he was about right. The overwhelming majority were on a diagonal line from each other, including my wife and myself. Check the chart again to see if this is true in your family or work relationships. 

The takeaway from this powerful afternoon was that we are all different, but if we take the time to understand ourselves first, then those with whom we associate, we can relate to each other better and accomplish more.

Being an accountable citizen means we seek to improve our leadership skills. We look in the mirror first to see where we need to get better, we seek the advice of experts, and we lift other people along the way.

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