ADHD and Personality Types - Meetup



ADHD and Personality Types

Personality Types

Human behavior is not only a complex subject to understand, but it is also cursed with the element of unpredictability. Everyone tries to fathom what the next guy is thinking about or, how he or she will act in a certain environment.

With the advances in the field of psychology and the deeper understanding of the psyche of man, psychologists have come up with personality types A, B, C, and D. People from every walk of life, based on their behavior and personality traits they exhibit, can be grouped under one of the types. However, the world full of people of these types only, will be a very bleak place to live in. In reality, you will be extremely lucky to find a true specimen of each of these types which are described below.

Type A

These individuals are of a highly independent nature. They can best be described as the bulldozers. Their ambition to leave their mark in this world singles them out. They are self-driven and know the importance of goal setting, positive thinking and motivation. If you are interested in studying a specimen of this type, choose one from the ranks of business leadership. They are competitive in nature, in fact they thrive on it as if it is the fuel of their life. They are well-known for their sharpness in getting to the heart of the matter in no-nonsense and blunt terms. Individuals of personality type A are risk takers which characterizes an entrepreneurial spirit. They do have the ability to put on the veil of practicality to solve a problem as and when it is required. The secret of these successful people is that they don't balk under the requirements and necessity of change which eventually makes them what they want to be.

Type B

These individuals can be described as the bombers. These characters are extroverts to the soles of their boots, and think, that life is nothing else but getting under the spotlight and spell binding the rest. Individuals that fall under this category are human magnets that can attract attention of everyone in a gathering without so much of an effort. This makes them special, among the various other personalities. These people have a very engaging personality, and when it comes to conversations they are as sleek as eels and as voluminous as the Niagara Falls. These individuals can sell a fridge to an Eskimo who, after the sale, thanks all his departed ancestors and the snowman for bestowing the honor of buying something from this wonderful man. Because of their ability to get tuned in with the people, others find them to be a fountain of entertainment and charisma. Turn and focus your microscope to sales and marketing fields or to those people in the field of entertainment and you will find them in no time. They thrive on the interactions with the others. Your act of ignoring them or their efforts is as good as you sticking a knife in their back, for them. Not being able to attract your attention or making you sway to their tune, hurts these people.

Type C

The apt term to describe these people, is the Seekers. If you are searching for a promising heir to your microscope to bestow on, you can choose any person of personality type C. These are the introverts interested in details which separates them from the rest of the types. They could turn heaven and hell upside down or inside-out, depending on their mood, to find a fact they are interested in, before taking it to pieces in order to restart the process. These people tend to shrink from social or human interaction. Arranging facts (which include women and their behavior) around them, in a logical order is what drives these people to no end. A person of this type can live with an individual of personality type B, as happily as a meditative ton of matter with an outgoing, bubbling, jesting and noisy ton of antimatter. Big Bang? Yes, type C is as exactly opposite of type B as an electron with the left spin is the antithesis of the one with the right spin. You can find specimens of type C personified in accountants, computer programmers, etc. These people find it difficult to get out of their shell and communicate with other people, but are tigers when it comes to numbers and logic. Reserved nature is the mark of type C, and they are cautious, too. Risk taking is not a very attractive option for these people who tend not to venture into something until, they have gone over all the facts with a fine-toothed comb.

Type D

These gentlemen really believe in inertia which they have no shortage of. These people prefer to stick to the trodden paths and established routines over the uncertainty of change. You will find, (well, don't train your microscope or binoculars on a stage bathed under a flood of spotlight) a true specimen of this type in people engaged as clerks. These are followers of the spent actions and executors of the direct commands. You will find them doing their best not to stretch their neck out when it comes to taking responsibility and risk. With the help of professionals in the field of personality development and through sheer power of self motivation or self-improvement, these people can overcome their handicap to some extent. These individuals, which make 21 percent of the population, are afflicted by negativity such as worry, irritability, gloom, etc., and hardly feel self-assured. To avoid rejection, they avoid to open up and share their negative emotions. This causes them to suffer from enormous amount of stress which makes them prone to heart-related diseases. The studies show that as many as 18 to 53 percent of cardiac patients have type D personality.

In reality, an individual is a mixture of personality traits characterizing all the types described above. Won't you agree with me that this makes men more complex, women more mysterious to understand, and the world more colorful? This is why, you have to work real hard and over a long period to know a person properly. However, one must keep in mind that these types are just broad classifications to follow in order to know a man tentatively. Always remember that we are dealing with 'the man' and not a watch that can be disassembled with a few turns of a screwdriver, to have a look at its innards, to know juxtaposition of its parts and to understand the dependencies that exist among its parts, then, thus fortified, start plotting and calibrating its behavior to fulfill our needs.

Is it ADHD or Creative Personality Type?

Abstract

This article compares the traits of ADHD with the traits of “creative personality types” as described in the  Myers-Briggs Type Indicator – known as the  MBTI.  

MBTI Personality Types which have high scores on both “Intuition” and “Perceiving” personality traits are estimated to occur in only about 12% of the population and 4-6% of women. (Source: ”Please Understand Me” by Keirsey and Bates)   

Interestingly, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is thought to occur in 6 – 12% of the population. Estimates of the prevalence of ADHD vary among authors.  Whatever the actual percentage may be, the estimates are so similar they beg for closer scrutiny. This article reviews descriptions of “MBTI Personality Traits” and compares them with what the medical model of ADHD (see Wikipedia Page)describes as “symptoms of disorder” in DSM-IV (Diagnostic Manual used by doctors updated in 2013 to DSM-V.)   See alsom

I seek to answer the question, why is it that in one person, the same behavioral pattern may be considered a personality quirk and in other person it’s a “symptom” of what’s “wrong” with them?  My opinion is that (as with beauty) what you call the trait depends on your personal biases. I present my case in the article below.

SIDE NOTE: This was one of my most popular and most commented on articles when it was first published on my Neat & Simple blog in 2008.

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Many ADHD traits are actually the same as those of people with “creative personality types” as described in the Meyer  MBTI.  

What does Creative Personality Type mean?

Having a creative personality type doesn’t mean you are an ”artist” necessarily, though you may be. It’s broader than that.  Creative personality type  refers to people who exhibit thinking styles and preferences such as: tend to

• prefer exploring new ways of doing things, 

• take more risks than the average person, 

• challenge the status quo, 

• want to try new things, 

• delight in solving problems, 

• prefer to research and continuously learn new things over implementing routines.

They tend to:

• get bored with anything that is too repetitive or that stays the same for too long. 

• thrive on growth, change and novelty.  

After all, growth and change implies novelty.  Growth is what separates us from machines, but some people are more driven to grow while others are more motivated by seeking stability.  Creative personality types “need” change and growth more than they need “stability” and security.  (Being driven to grow and evolve yourself rapidly is called having a “growth mindset”  in the book  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck and having high “Evolutionary Intelligence” in the book“The Gifted Adult” by Mary-Elaine Jacobsen.)

According to the  MBTI  I could be either and ENTP or an INFP.  What that means is that I tend to be equally strong in both I and E –  introversion and extraversion – depends on the situation.  I’m also nearly equally strong in both T and F – I use both thinking and feeling to make decisions – again, depends on the situation.  It’s like I’m ambidextrous in both those traits. However, when it comes to Intuition and Perceiving, I score much higher in those traits than in the Sensing or Judging traits.

 The “N” or iNtuitive” trait means I have a strong tendency to always looking for the potential in things, seeing patterns, connections and new possibilities, rather than “Sensing” which mean seeing things as they are and in greater detail.

The “P” or “Perceiver” trait means I tend to prefer to open up new options and possibilities rather than “Judge” which in MBTI language means make decisions, conclusions, and close options.  In other words, I naturally prefer to not make decisions unless it’s really necessary.   I’ve come to think of my MBTI type as “xNxP”.  

I wonder how creative personality type and ADHD are connected because when you compare the traits of both, it’s striking how similar they are. The main differences seem to be in the degree, frequency, and impact these “traits” have on our lives. Both ADHD and the Creative Personality Types share many characteristics.  

Below is a list of ADD traits that I’ve culled from reading  ADD books.

COMMON ADD TRAIT DESCRIPTIONS INCLUDE:

• High energy and restless / Hyperactivity

• Impulsivity

• Takes on, starts too many projects

• Loses interest easily

• High impatience

• May fail to follow through, forget appointments

• Tendency to hyperfocus and not be able to easily break out of it

• Tendency to see everything at once, to think “globally” and see many possibilities at once, making it difficult to make certain kinds of decisions

• Higher than average tolerance for chaos and change

• Often exhibit high risk-taking, high stimulation seeking behavior

• Often hyper-reactive and sensitive – Strong reactions to thoughts, noise, people talking, everything in their environment – may notice everything, or tend to shut down and become inattentive to everything, or a combination of both

• Tend to criticize themselves constantly

• Tend to always be scanning or hunting – looking around for anything that might be new or different, or out of place, looking to make connections, to see patterns, may not even be aware of this.  So they seem not to be listening when actually they are trying to take everything in, though sometimes they really aren’t listening because they can’t focus on just one thing that is coming in through their senses 

• Highly intuitive thinking

• Inconsistency of attention, mood

Now compare that list with the list below which I made from the descriptions of MBTI ”creative personality types” which have both an “iNtuitive” and a “Perceiving” preference.  

 Keirsey and Bates identified four temperaments or subsets of the MBTI types in their classic book:  ”Please Understand Me“ 

 Keirsey simplifies the sixteen MBTI types into four groups, whose archetypes he equates with the classical four temperaments: Phlegmatic, Melancholy, Sanguine, and Choleric.

• NT (INTP, INTJ, ENTP, ENTJ):  Rational temperament

• NF (INFP, INFJ, ENFP, ENFJ):  Idealist temperament

• SP (ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP):  Artisan temperament

• SJ (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ):  Guardian temperament

I have never seen anyone group the “NP” preferences as an archetype or temperament  but in my work with hundreds of people, I see a pattern that looks like NP could very well be the “ADD” or even “Idealist/Artisan, Creative –  Disorganized / Clutter-prone” temperament.  

 According to the MBTI , there are 4 personality types with predominantly “iNtuitive”(seeing the world in terms of it’s possibilities) + Perceiving (preferring improvising over planning) traits.  They are:

 ENTP (5%)       INTP (1%)          ENFP (5%)       INFP(1%)

The percentages indicate what percent of the population has each personality type.  As you can see, these types are clearly a minority.   Combined they are found in only about 12% of the population and 4-6% of women. (Source: ”Please Understand Me” by Keirsey and Bates)   

As I mentioned before,, ADD is thought to occur in 6 – 12% of the population. So now, let’s take a look at the list of traits I summarized from Please Understand Me” by Keirsey and Bates with my notes in brackets about how this could impact organizing and/or look like ADHD.

ENTP / ENFP TRAITS 

• Unusually Enthusiastic, [high energy and high enthusiasm is VERY characteristic of ADD)

• "Apt to express interest in everything" [this makes it very difficult to focus and make choices about how to use your time]

• Characteristically have an eye out for a better way [leads to constantly changing and not sticking to systems you create to organize yourself]

• Always on the lookout for new projects, new activities, new procedures [ a clear link to all those unfinished projects ADD is famous for]

• Always seem to be several jumps ahead  [Another hallmark of ADD brains that process informationally globally and often see patterns before others do. Many famous inventors and scientists who made significant discoveries are thought to have had ADD]

The list is stunning, for example, Alexander Graham Bell, Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Issac Newton, Louis Pasteur, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Galileo and many more.   

• Prefers to “improvise” rather than create a detailed plan  [Could look like impulsivity, being uprepared, etc.] (I now think of this as being “born to agilize”  : ) 

• Tends to proceed into action without necessary preparation

• Can succeed in a variety of occupations as long as the job “does not involve humdrum routine”

• In a routine job “they become restless. If a project in which they are engaged is no longer challenging, they tend to lose interest and fail to follow through – often to the discomfort of colleagues”

• “Orderliness in the routines of daily living is not apt to inspire them.”

•  ”Not likely to be interested in the routines of daily maintenance”

• “Life with ENTPs is likely to be a daring adventure: this could lead families into physical and economic danger” [The book actually says this...could easily come out of a book on ADD]

• “Apt to react with delight at having an opportunity to improvise a solution to a crisis”

• “Likely to be inconsistent with their attention”

• “May show undependable, fickle characteristics, and be easily discouraged”

• “Always berating themselves for being so conscious of self”

• “Can become bored rather quickly with situations and people, and resist repeating experiences”

• “Enjoy the process of creating “but not interested in follow-through”

• “Can have difficulty picking up on the ideas and projects initiated by others”

• “Extravagant generosity punctuated with periods of frugality”

• “Somewhat unpredictable”

• “Characteristic in their pursuit of novelty”

• “Outstanding intuitive powers”

INTP / INFP TRAITS

• “Can concentrate better than any other personality type” [Similar to hyperfocusing]

• “Once caught up in a thought process, that thought process seems to have a will of its own for INTPS, and they persevere until the issue is comprehended” [More hyperfocus]

• “Impatient with routine details” [Impacts ability to "maintain" traditional organizing systems]

• “The INTP must be given an efficient support staff who can capture ideas as they emerge and before the INTP loses interest and turns to other ideas” [How I would LOVE this!  and how unrealistic this is.  The book is obviously old enough to remember when most managers had their own secretaries.  I had my own Exec Assistant when I was a manger at Arthur Andersen's Center for Professional Education...it was AWESOME!!! I miss her!]

• INTP’s are often forgetful of appointments and the rituals of daily living unless they are reminded. [Need I say more?]

I think the similarities between creative personality types and ADHD are more than clear.  And the link between creativity and difficulty “MAINTAINING” organizing systems is also clear.  My theory is that helping people learn how to become more organized by designing organizing solutions that fit their personality and brain type, AND that are designed to change easily and often (agile) is the most effective way to heal lifelong disorganization tendencies.  I call this cultivating personal agility and self-leadership vs. self-control. 

Hope for Recovering from Chronic Disorganization

People who have been labeled as disorganized for most of their lives, and / or have been labeled ADHD, seem to have consistent personality traits and patterns that in our cultural context make them vulnerable to painful chronic disorganization – unless they have somehow learned the following skills which are just a few of the component skills that are prerequisites to learning how to design organizing systems. 

1. To appreciate things as they are – not only for what “they could become“

2. To accept and embrace that most of the potential they see cannot and does nothave to be fulfilled (This is a skill / habit that makes it much easier to let go of things without deeply grieving the loss of “potential” the things represent.)

3. To embrace setting limits on the amount of research they do before making a decision based on the degree of risk involved so that can take action sooner rather than later. 

4. To purposefully limit the number of ideas they generate in certain situations so they can reduce overwhelm and more easily make decisions

5. To design “filters” for easily ruling out options / ideas and automating routine decisions

I’ve learned that organizing “for” people doesn’t empower them…it actually reinforces their feelings of helplessness.  When people operate from an assumption that they “can’t” organize themselves it’s almost impossible to develop self-confidence because nearly everything we do in life requires organizing.

Over and over I’ve found that even people who have anxiety, panic attacks and phobias about organizing can learn to organize once they understand their personality type and the sources of their indecision and organizing difficulties. When they realize organizing is composed of skills that can be learned and that can become linked to their natural values and intrinsic reward mechanisms, they begin to flourish.  

When they begin to see how creative and intriguing the organizing process can be, and let go of the idea that organizing requires tedious routines, they begin to see a a whole new world of possibilities in the fact that organizing is a custom design process.  With iterative practice and encouraging feedback they eventually teach themselves to become “naturally” attracted to the organizing process – in a way that is compatible with their natural personality type. 

MBTI Temperament and ADD

|"Another possibility is that there are certain temperament traits that predispose individuals to exhibit|

|behaviors that are characteristic of both ADHD and creativity." - Dr. Bonnie Cramond, The Coincidence of|

|ADHD and Creativity. |

Introduction

Temperament consists of the traits you were born with. It differs from personality, which is a combination of your temperament and life experiences, although the two terms are often used interchangeably. Temperament is determined by your unique neurological characteristics and unlike personality, it cannot be changed.  It's like handedness.  If you were born left handed, you will always have a preference for using your left hand, even though you can train yourself to use your right hand more than you otherwise would.  If you force yourself (or someone forces you) to become right-handed, it won't work and you will only become frustrated.  Temperament is the same way.  If you have a natural preference for spontaneity and flexibility over being decisive and organized, you will always be that way.  You can train yourself to be somewhat more organized, but if you try to completely alter your temperament you will only become frustrated and depressed.

While doing research for this site a few years ago, I stumbled onto something called MBTI theory, a popular framework for testing certain aspects of temperament that has been studied for decades. In 1999 over 2 million people were typed using this method, usually as part of their job or for counseling.   I took a quick online test, which I thought was really daft at first, but I decided to go along with it out of curiosity, and was told  I am an ENTP or "Extravert-iNtuitive-Thinking-Perceiving".  I had no idea what that meant, but I was floored by the description.  "You mean, there are other people like this?" I thought. There were all these things described that I had been criticized for, or felt weird about, along with traits I was proud of, and here they were listed under my temperament type.  Including many of the traits associated with ADD. In fact, they sounded pretty good when taken in context.  Like being a non-conformist.   I always assumed it had something to do with repressed anger about being told to clean up my room as a child or that maybe I'd been dropped on my head as an infant, but no, I read that ENTPs are the most nonconformist of all the types.  Thomas Jefferson was supposedly an ENTP, and didn't his nonconformist tendencies come in handy? "You mean, I'm supposed to be that way? It's OK?"  I was stunned. And validated.  The description was a much more accurate snapshot of me than the narrow diagnostic criteria for ADD. 

I learned everything I could about MBTI theory through books and websites.  Like many others, I wanted to know whether there is a relationship between ADD and MBTI temperament type.  What I found was no quick and easy "that type's ADD!", but rather a more complex set of relationships.   For example, extreme extraverts tend to be impulsive, full of energy, and easily distracted.  Combine that with a preference for flexibility and open-endedness over structure, and now you're also disorganized and can't seem to finish things.  Throw onto that a preference for the abstract over the concrete "real world" and now you're not only disorganized, hyperactive, and impulsive, you're also inattentive! 

But mostly I found that ADDers, when they read their correct temperament type, feel validated.  From the quiet, daydreamy and sensitive type to the outrageous and impulsive type, MBTI theory seems to described ADDers better than the diagnostic criteria for ADD.   With this sense of validation comes a more positive attitude and a more realistic idea of what you can change, and what you can't.   MBTI is a very practical tool for finding the right career, understanding better the people around you, and raising your children (there is at least one book on MBTI just for parents).  Under MBTI, there is no good or bad temperament: each has its own niche.  Rather, experts celebrate the diversity of temperament and acknowledge certain trade-offs.  For example, the more focused on organization you are, the less flexible and open to new information you are.  The more practical and concrete your focus, the less imaginative you are.

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MTBI Theory: In the early twentieth century a guy named Jung invented a way to look at and differentiate personalities based on preferences in how people perceive information from their environment and make decisions. If two people perceive and process the same information differently because of their brain differences, they are likely to have opposing views and attitudes, and misunderstandings are to be expected. Later, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was created, making the Jungian system more practical and useful.

The beauty of this system, compared to other systems, is that it focuses on and is defined by opposing functions, for example, whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert. It does NOT predict exactly how a person will behave, but it does predict what drives certain types of people and how they are likely to perceive their environment compared with other people.

There are four opposing preferences which make sixteen possible temperament types:

1. Sensing Vs. iNtuition. What you tend to focus on.  This is the most important category. Sensing individuals are more likely to pay attention to facts and details and are observant of the here and now. Intuitors focus on meaningfulness of the facts, relationships between among the facts, and the possibilities of future events that can be imagined from these facts. They are introspective. Most people are Sensors.  ADDers may be of either type, but Intuitives might be more likely to be classified as ADD.  Intuitives, which are in the minority, are more likely to appear inattentive because they spend a lot of time in their heads (and lose the car keys), they have a holistic and non-sequential learning style, and are easily bored.   Some of the Sensor types (the SPs) can be labeled ADD as children because they are action-oriented and do not like school. 

2. Thinking Vs. Feeling: Your preference when making value-based decisions. Thinkers base their decisions on objectivity, logic, and fairness, while Feelers base their decisions on their values and tend towards a personal approach. By the way, Thinkers are not smarter than Feelers (but they think they are) and Feelers are not more caring than Thinkers (but they think they are).  There is not much correlation between this function and ADD. However, a Thinking preference can be the source of social difficulties because Thinkers do not naturally feel the need to sugar-coat what they say and may not notice social customs or consider people's feelings.   Feelers may be extremely sensitive and as children may not perform well for teachers if they feel the teacher does not like them. Male Feeling types and Female Thinking types often have problems with gender stereotypes (about 65% of women are Feeling types and 65% of men are Thinking types).

3. Judging Vs. Perceiving:  Judgers are more decisive and prefer a lot of structure. ADDers are more likely to be Perceivers. Perceivers prefer flexibility, adaptability and divergent thinking. They want to provide for unforeseen change and consider a variety of techniques.  Their motto is "On the other hand..."  They are more curious, spontaneous, indecisive, love to start new projects, tentative, process or quality-oriented. The "P" could also stand for procrastinating and pondering. 

4. Extravert Vs. Introvert. Extraverts are expressive and seem to get energy from the environment and other people, while Introverts are naturally reserved and seem to be energized by being alone with their thoughts and ideas.   Extraverts, especially extreme extraverts, are impulsive, energetic, and are easily distracted.  Introverts, especially extreme introverts, are prone to focus so intensely on their inner world that they do not realize people are talking to them.  In busy places extraverts can become overly wound-up and introverts may shut-down. Based on my conversations with people, inattentive ADDers (without hyperactivity) are usually introverts, especially Intutive Introverts.

It's actually a lot more complicated than the above, but that's the gist of it. Someone who has preferences for Extraversion, iNtuition, Thinking and Perceiving is said to be an "ENTP" type.

One way to try and find out your type is by taking the online Keirsey Temperament Sorter , but read these tips first:    The test works for most people but not everyone (I believe it's something like 85% accurate, and some people have trouble with the way the questions are worded). If the description of your type does not sound correct, then you probably got the wrong result.  When taking the test, do NOT think of yourself in only one environment, like work.  Think of your entire life, in a variety of places (work, play, relaxing).  Don't overanalyze the questions.  Just pick whatever comes to you first.  Don't answer the questions the way you wish you were.   Answer them using your natural tendencies.   After you find out your type, read Keirsey's description but keep in mind it's probably not the best description.   Come back here using your "back" button and I'll tell you more, including whether you're one of the types than often gets pegged with the ADD label....

Brief Descriptions of the Most Common Temperaments To Visit This Site  Quotes are from the book "The Pathfinder" by Nicholas Lore (by the way, this book has the best test I know of for determining temp types, and the book isn't even about temperament).

INFP "The Healer" (By far the mostly likely type to identify themselves as ADD, considering they are only 1% of the population): "Idealistic, warm, caring, creative, imaginative, original, artistic, perceptive, supportive, empathetic, cooperative, facilitative, compassionate, responsive, sensitive, gentle, tenderhearted, devoted, loyal, virtuous, self-critical, perfectionist, self-sacrificing, deep, multifaceted, daydreamer, persistent, determined, hard-working, improviser, initiator of new projects and possibilities, agents of change. Drawn to possibilities, 'what could be' rather than 'what is.' Values-oriented with high level of personal integrity.  Their focus is on understanding themselves, personal growth, and contributing to society in a meaningful way.  If their career does not express their idealism and drive for improvement, they usually become bored and restless. Dislike conflict, dealing with trivialities, and engaging in meaningless social chatter.  Needs a private work space, autonomy, and a minimum of bureaucratic rules." Some of the best novelists are INFPs. Suggested careers: Counselor, artist, and journalist.  INFPs are prone to depression when they cannot meet their own sense of perfection or the expectations of others. The very often accept blame, even when it's not deserved, and really dwell on how bad they think they are, but they are not likely to let people know that.  They also tend to write me the nicest letters. 

ENFP "The Advocate": "Enthusiastic, expressive, emotional, warm, evocative, imaginative, original, artistic, improviser, perceptive, affirming, supportive, cooperative, positive, open responsive, sensitive, playful, fun-loving, multifaceted, gregarious, zestful, spontaneous, idealistic, initiators of new projects and possibilities, agents of change.   Their focus is on self-expression and possibilities, "what could be' rather than 'what is.' Life is a celebration and a creative adventure.  Enthusiastic initiators of new projects, relationships, and paradigms.  Masters of the start-up phase. Lose interest when the project or relationship gets routine or when the primary goal is well on the way to accomplishment.  Often eloquent in expressing their vision of a world where ideals are actualized. Frequently have a positive attitude in situations others would consider to be negative.  Work in bursts of enthusiasm mixed with times when little gets done. Need careers that are personally meaningful, creative, and allow for full self-expression and that contribute to other people in some way.  Extremely versatile.  They may have friends from many walks of life, a wide range of interests and hobbies, and they gain a professional level of mastery without formal training." Suggested careers: Public relations, actor, teacher.

ENTP "The Inventor":  "Enthusiastic, puzzle master, objective, inventive, independent, conceptual thinker, creative problem solver, entrepreneurial risk taker, improviser, competitive, questioning, rebellious, rule breaker, gregarious, witty, involved, strategic, versatile, clever, adaptable, energetic action-oriented agents of change.  Improves systems, processes, and organizations. Relentlessly tests and challenges the status quo with new, well-thought-out ideas, and argues vehemently in favor of possibilities and opportunities others have not noticed ["Born To Explore" is a prime example of an ENTP doing this!].  Can wear out their colleagues with their drive and challenging nature.  See the big picture and how the details fit together.   The most naturally entrepreneurial of all types. Usually not motivated by security.   Their lives are often punctuated with extreme ups and downs as they energetically pursue new ideas.  They have only one direction: ahead at full speed, leaving a trail of incomplete projects, tools, and plans in their wake.  Their idea of fun and best creative self-expression involves devising new conceptual modeling and dreaming up imaginative and exciting ventures.  Need lots of room to maneuver.  When forced to dwell on details and routine operating procedures, they become bored and restless.   Respect competence, not authority.  Seek work that allows them to solve complex problems and develop real-world solutions. Often surrounded with the latest technology."  Suggested careers: High tech engineer, marketer, entrepreneur. This type is the most likely to switch careers.

INTP "The Architect": "Logical, original, speculative quick thinkers, ingenious, inventive, cerebral, deep, ruminative, critical, skeptical, questioning, reflective problem solver, flaw finder, architect and builder of systems, lifelong learner, precise, reserved, detached, absent-minded professor.  Seeker of logical purity. They love to analyze, critique, and develop new ideas rather than get involved in the implementation phase. Continually engage in mental challenges that involve building complex conceptual models leading to logically flawless solutions.  Because they are open-ended and possibility-oriented, an endless stream of new data pours in, making it difficult for them to finish developing whatever idea they are working on.  Everything is open to revision.   Consequently, they are at their best as architects of new ideas where there are endless hypothetical possibilities to be explored, and no need for one final concrete answer.  Their holy grail is conceptual perfection.  May consider the project complete and lose interest when they have it figured out.  To them, reality consists of thought processes, not the physical universe.  Often seem lost in the complex tunnels of their own inner process.  Seek work that allows them to develop intellectual mastery, provides a continual flow of new challenges, offers privacy, a quiet environment, and independence.  Thrive in organizations where their self-reliance is valued and colleagues meet their high standards for competency."  Suggested careers: Chemist, lawyer, mathematician.  INTPs are prone to depression when they dwell on their inability to meet their extremely high expectations of themselves.

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What is DISC?

DISC is often described as a "Personality Test". In reality, DISC is really more like a "personality profiling system" which is why we call our profiles the DISC Personality Profile.

A DISC Profile utilizes a method for understanding behavior, temperament, and personality. A DISC Profile provides a comprehensive overview of the way that people think, act, and interact. It is the most widely used profiling tool of its kind, and is supported by decades of validation and reliability studies.

The DISC Personality Profile is based on the work of renowned psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston, and was introduced in his 1928 book "Emotions of Normal People" . William Marston, a contemporary of Carl Jung, developed the DISC Personality Profile after studying the personality traits, behavioral patterns, and instinctual reactions of thousands of individuals. As a result of his work, Marston developed the DISC assessment as a tool to measure four primary behavioral traits:

Dominance (D)

Influence (I)

Steadiness (S)

Conscientiousness (C)

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