A Quick Overview of Different Types of People Pat Howley From his Chapter in Six Pathways, The Field Guide to Comer Schools in Action Chapter 12, “It’s All About Effective Relationships” See also his Chapter 10, “A Team Approach to Educational Change” (Especially the section on “A Framework for Understanding Why and How People See the World Differently”

Overview This part addresses three descriptions of personality types that can assist you in understanding yourself and others: – The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), – The Enneagram, and – The Archetypes. (Archetypes can be understood as general patterns, sub-personality allies, or as energies that exist in us.)

Personality types… Personality types underscore the continual recognition that everyone is different and other types (ways of being, ways of thinking etc.) are just as valid as our own way of being. Understanding these differences in people help us to be more alert, especially when there is conflict or miscommunication. Understanding different ways of being helps us to listen more deeply to another, to see in what ways we may be able to connect with others, and to understand one another. This way of being with another is the most effective way of helping others to reflect and make changes in their work. Examine each of these three personality descriptors and find what resonates with you. Begin with the MBTI.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Short Descriptions Contact Consulting Psychologist Press Inc., Palo Alto, CA for more information THOROUGH Success earned. Will concentrate and are thorough. Serious and quiet. See to it everything is organized. RESPONSIBLE Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Thorough, painstaking and accurate. PERSEVERE Succeed by perseverance, originality, and desire to do whatever is needed or wanted. ORIGINAL MINDS Usually have original minds and great drive for their own ideas & purposes. Independent and determined. ANALYZE LIFE Cool onlookers-quiet, reserved, observing and analyzing life with detached curiosity. Look at cause and effect. LOYAL FOLLOWERS Relaxed, retiring, friendly, sensitive and kind. Modest about their abilities. Do not force their opinions or values on others. HELPERS Full of enthusiasms and loyalties but seldom talk of these until they know you well. Ready to help anyone with a problem. LOGICAL Quiet, reserved, impersonal and logical. Can argue either side of an issue. Interested in ideas. Has sharply defined interests. MATTER OF FACT Tend to be mechanical. Do not worry. Enjoy whatever comes along. Tend to like taking things apart and putting them back together. COMMON SENSE Outgoing, easygoing, accepting and friendly. Enjoy everything. Best at common sense and practical ability. ENTHUSIASTIC Warm, high-spirited, ingenious and imaginative. Quick with solutions. Ability to improvise. RESOURCEFUL Quick, alert, outspoken. One new interest after another. Quick, ingenious and resourceful in solving new and challenging problems. ORGANIZE AND ADMINISTRATE Practical and realistic. Like to organize and run activities. COOPERATORS Warm-hearted. Talkative and born cooperators. Like harmony Active committee members. RESPONSIVE Social, responsible and sympathetic. Feel real concern for what others think and want. DECISIVE LEADERS Hearty and frank. Good at anything requiring reasoning. Usually well informed.

Tasks Task 1) See if you can discover yourself in each of the three personality frameworks that are described: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), The Enneagram and The Archetypes. Reflect on how it helps you to better understand yourself.

Task 2) Examine the MBTI. Look at a type in each framework that is not at all like you. What difficulties do you think you would have in working with someone different from you in these ways? What work would you need to do on yourself to become a more effective peer observer?

Myers-Briggs (MBTI), Further Research If you are interested in learning more about the MBTI see: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Wikipedia Book, “Please Understand Me” by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates (Good overview, and you can take “The Keirsey Temperament Sorter” which will give you good estimated guess of your type. (It has extra answer sheets to give to someone you are coaching) It includes teacher descriptions and leadership descriptions. You must be certified to use the instrument. Options: Go on-line to The Center for Applications of Psychological Type ( or, Go on line to, ( at CPP, Myers-Briggs® Assessmentwww.mbticomplete.com “But our roots reach even deeper than that. The Myers-Briggs® assessment was first developed in 1943 by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. This mother-and- daughter team were among the most prominent pioneers of personality assessment. In 1975, CPP became the exclusive publisher of the Myers-Briggs instrument.”

The Enneagram Various sources two of which are:The Enneagram (Palmer) & The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso & Hudson) ONE Perfectionist I want to be perfect. Use high standards to point out how to improve. TWO Helper I want to be caring. Pay attention to what others want and need. THREE Motivator I want to be successful. Set goals and strive for accomplishments. FOUR Individualist I want to be unique. Can see many sides to a situation. FIVE Observer I want to be all knowing. Study situations with a detached point of view. SIX Questioner I want to see what could go wrong. Question themselves and analyze situations. SEVEN Adventurer I want to be experience everything. Put focus on future possibilities. EIGHT Boss I want to be powerful. Take action to make things happen. NINE Peacemaker I want to be content. Work to resolve conflicts by listening and accommodating others.

Task 3): Determine which type you identify with in the Enneagram. As you examine the description of the type that you identify with, how might this behavior support your peer observer role? How might it interfere with your role?

Enneagram, Further Research If you are interested in learning more about the Enneagram, key books to read are by Helen Palmer and Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson On line: Wikipedia Enneagram of Personality, The Enneagram Institute (Riso & Hudson) Enneagram.com (Helen Palmer)

Archetypes: Short Descriptions of Patterns of Energy within Us Source: Adapted from Pearson (1991). Innocent Trusts others and creates trust. Is open and willing to try new things. Is idealistic and optimistic. Seeker Searches for opportunities. Ventures into the unknown. Is curious and inquisitive. Explores new ideas. Ruler Organizes and structures activities for self and others. Takes responsibility and provides stability. Orphan/ Empathizer Knows and relates to how others feel because of having had the experience of how difficult life can be. Destroyer/Judge/Liberator Ends old ways to make way for the new. Can make hard decisions by facing reality and prioritizing. Magician Intuitively knows what, when, and how to change. Can transform others through use of energy. Heals others. Demonstrates win/win possibilities. Warrior Challenges wrongs. Fights for a cause or to accomplish own goals. Has strength of conviction. Lover/Motivator Has passion for a cause, people, ideas, LIFE. Dedication leads to making strong commitments. Sage Reflects using a global perspective. Uses own experiences and knowledge to see patterns and to guide others. Caregiver Reaches out to others and provides help and support. Nurtures, guides, and serves others. Creator Thinks “ outside the box. ” Is innovative and inspired. Looks for the unusual. Solves problems by having a different perspective. Jester Enjoys life. Is uninhibited. Plays and has fun. Does not take self or others too seriously.

Task 4): Examine a recent event that was a challenge (i.e., a parent coming at you with their Warrior energy, ready to fight and you wanted to fight back) Can you think about an alternative approach that might be an alternative response, using the archetypes? (both be supportive of the parent and re- direct the energy and be more of a caregiver than a warrior in response?

Archetypes, Further Research Some current literature on archetypes by Carol Pearson: “ The Hero Within, Six Archetypes We live by” “Awakening The Hero Within” “Magic at Work” Go on-line to See also Carl Jung.

Task 5): How do all three personality types help you to both understand yourself and others? What are the implications for your role as a peer observer?