1. 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”

2. Introduction
Although I have had extensive training in two of the personality type descriptions (seen in the following slides) and studied the other one for many years I rarely now think of types when I am meeting people.
However, what stays with me from this work is the continual recognition that everyone is different and other types (ways of being, ways of thinking etc.) are just as valid as my own way of being. I think I am more alert now, especially when there is conflict or miscommunication to the fact that I have to listen more deeply to another to see in what ways I may be able to connect with them and understand them. This way of being with another is the most effective way I know in helping others to reflect and make changes in their work.

3. Tasks
Task 1) See if you can discover yourself in each of the three personality frameworks that are described below, 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.) This framework is more flexible and subtle. We have 3 or 4 active energies in us. A certain event such as a

4. . . . parent coming at us with their Warrior energy and it might tend to draw out our own Warrior energy within us. (When what the parent might need from us is more of our Caregiver energy).
Task 2) 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 so different from you? What work would you need to do on yourself to become a more effective coach?

5. 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® Assessment
“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.”

6. 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 you look up Wikipedia Enneagram of Personality,
The Enneagram Institute(Riso & Hudson)
Enneagram.com (Helen Palmer

7. Archetypes, Further Research
The first books I read on archetypes (besides Carl Jung) that helped me develop and describe teaching archetypes and leadership archetypes were books by Carol Pearson:
“ The Hero Within, Six Archetypes We live by”
“Awakening The Hero Within”
“Magic at Work”
Go on-line to

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.