Many of us are familiar with the work of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875-1961). He noted that much of our seemingly random behavior is actually very predictable and follows certain patterns, based on some basic differences in our personality. These differences have a great influence on the way we behave in private and in groups, the way we talk to ourselves and others, and the way we see the world. Why, for example, does one person prefer to be at home, reading books and reflecting on them, while another person wants to be constantly among people all the time, talking, interacting and having fun? Or why is one person interested in facts and figures and not people, while another is more concerned with consequences for the people involved in decision-making? All of this can be explained by examining some common personal characteristics, Jung said.
Now Jung was not the first to notice differences between people, and he was certainly not the last to investigate the subject. The ancient Greeks already had a notion about different behavioral preferences in the time of Hippocrates (around 450 BC). And Native American Indians also understood personal preferences.
A well-known contemporary version of personality type profiling is the Myers-Briggs type indicator. Still used by millions around the world for many purposes, the MBTI, as it is called, distinguishes between 16 different personality types, based on a person’s preference for focusing energy (introverted or extraverted), assimilating information (sensation or intuition ), reach conclusions (think or judge) and deal with the outside world (perceive or judge).
The Myers-Briggs system is very comprehensive and detailed. After taking the exam, you are given a four-letter combination (for example, ESTP or INFJ, which is mine), by which you can very accurately describe and predict how you live your life and how you view your life.
Once a person knows what preferences are “his”, it is easy to find out what kind of work that person will prefer in general, what work environment will be better, if this person likes to be around people or not, what he likes to do in his spare time, if this person is more analytical or more “sensory”, and so on. Compare it to writing with the right hand. If you’re right-handed, but your boss expects you to write with your left hand, you’re in trouble. Worse still would be when he wants you to write with the left foot. You don’t prefer it!
The ancient Greeks and Native American Indians had a system of using four basic temperaments, patterns in our behavior that describe and predict our behavior. The Greeks called them bloodthirsty, melancholic, phlegmatic, and angry. The Indians divided the people into buffalo, eagles, bears, and mice. Modern scientist David Keirsey distinguished between the idealist, the rational, the guardian, and the craftsman.
In 2005 a new Made in australia The typology model came to the fore, formulated by Michael White. He designed his Dreamtime personalities around four native Australian animals: the eagle, the dolphin, the wombat and the kangaroo.
White’s type indicator was originally designed for use with primary school children in Australia; Subsequently, a set of test questions was composed for use with high school children, the list of which can also be used for adults.
Tea Eagles (NT, at Myers-Briggs) among us are independent, strategic and analytical thinkers focused on the future. They value knowledge, like models and theory, enjoy science and technology, and seek objective justice and fairness. They have a great need for mastery of any subject and can sometimes be considered a bit “insensitive” as competence is given more importance than interpersonal values.
Tea Dolphins (NF) are the imaginative, future-focused, authentic and empathetic catalysts for growth. They seek harmony, approval, and cooperation, and make their decisions primarily based on feelings and the possible repercussions of any decision on other people. They enjoy helping others reach their potential and rely on their inspiration and intuition. They can be considered “dreamers”, as personal values and future possibilities are considered superior to current competition.
Tea Kangaroos (SP) are the “entrepreneurs”, the realistic entrepreneurs focused on the present, impulsive and fun-loving. They are spontaneous, love to do a variety of things, and are good at problem solving and negotiating. They want immediate feedback and they welcome feedback. They are physically active, they love to do things that involve movement, and they are optimistic by nature. Kangaroos can sometimes be considered “superficial”; They don’t seem to really care about “tomorrow” or the deeper meaning of life.
Tea Wombats (SJ), in conclusion, are practical people with a vocation for service, traditional, responsible and focused on the past. They love routine, predictability, and highly value authority and rules. They rely on empirical data, as they are based on past experiences with which they relate. They value awards and prizes and are often drawn to ceremonies. Wombats strive to maintain institutions and order, and will strive to keep things “the same.” The other guys may consider them “boring” because they don’t enjoy change and “the unknown.”
Now each and every one of us has parts of all temperaments. We are all. “On the other hand, it has been proven that we all have preferences. We prefer some aspects over others. It does not mean that we do not use the non-preferred aspects. It just means that if we have the choice, we will probably prefer our more” natural “strength (such as use a dominant hand to write).
Michael White has trained me as a Dreamtime Personality Facilitator and I use the system on both children and adults in my training practice. It is a great tool for parents and teachers to discover what their children / students’ natural strengths are and what areas could work with additional guidance; we all want to develop in the most balanced way possible. For adults it is a good way to find out, for example, which jobs are suitable for a specific temperament, or what we can expect from each other in relationships and in communication with each other. Knowing our preferences also allows us to distinguish which are our “weakest links” and what type of situation causes us more stress than others. By knowing our preferences, we can find ways to use our strongest aspects to restore balance in our lives.
In a later article, I will describe common traits in many of the people in my target market, who are natural and complementary health professionals, therapists, and healers. You may already have an idea about their “temperament” if you read the description of the animals in Dreamtime. I’ll give you a hint: nothing.
Marc de Bruin
