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Not her fault, her type

Good Group Tips

In principle, we each have a personality type, hardwired into us, not likely to change. There are many methods of assessing personality types, Myers-Briggs the most popular among them. Most assessments consist of a written test that reveals one’s basic type. Categorizing people into basic types has been going on since 400 B.C. Hippocrates called them the four temperaments. In medieval times they were called the four humors.

With a certain personality type come certain personality traits. Our type has to do with how we learn, how we act, how we perceive others and the world, and how some abilities come naturally to us and some don’t.

Practical Tip: To help make good group decisions, I keep in mind that people are different, not everyone is good at everything, and that others see things differently than me, instinctively. When someone doesn’t do something the way I would do it, I figure it’s not his intention to be difficult, he’s just different.

That people are different from me is never their fault. Actually, it’s their gift. I try to embrace and build on the gifts of others, and my own.

– Craig Freshley


2 thoughts on “Not her fault, her type

  1. I have found the enneagram to be helpful in understanding that others have as many strengths as weaknesses (the latter often being more visible in group situations). It recognizes nine basic personality types, how they are interrelated and how people tend to change, depending on whether they are feeling strong or weak, etc.
    This website might help your readers find ways to use it in work situations:

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