Is Your Work In Tune With Your Temperament?

Leahcim Semaj, Ph.D. - Change Agent

Throughout history people have sought to explain human behaviour. There is a high degree of consensus with regards to the classification of four distinct temperaments. By this we mean specific observable behaviors and core values. As early as 450 B.C. we find Hippocrates describing four distinct personal dispositions. We find the parallels present by different names at different times. In the Middle Ages, four kinds of spirits are described by Paracelus. Later we find four spirit keepers identified on the Native American Medicine Wheel. The Hindu tell us that we possess four central desires. Psychologist David Keirsey and his colleagues have successfully established the communality between this apparent cultural universal and the Psychological Types defined by Isabel Myers. They have been able to determine that four measurable type preferences correspond to the four temperaments that we see reappearing throughout history.

The Four Temperaments are:

• SJs (Sensing Judgers) - Approximately 55% of the Jamaican and 38% of the American population.
• SPs (Sensing Perceivers) - Approximately 25% of the Jamaican and 38% of the American population.
• NFs (Intuitive Feelers) - Approximately 14% of the Jamaican and 12% of the American population.
• NTs (Intuitive Thinkers) - Approximately 6% of the Jamaican and 12% of the American population.

Persons with the same temperament tend to have more in common and share many core values. However, this does not make them exactly the same as each temperament has four main variations within its range. The options of Extraversion or Introversion, Thinking or feeling, Judging or Perceiving serve to give them different personalities. Paul Tieger and Barbara Baron-Tieger suggest the following;

“Think of a particular temperament as a family of instrument. All stringed instruments, for example, have many important features in common, and yet there are obvious differences between a violin, a viola, a cello and a double bass… And they are very different from wind instruments”.

Some Critical Differences Between Temperaments:

SJs in general do not question the concept of leadership. They basically expect that someone will lead and that others will follow. They are usually responsive to the directive of leaders.

SPs need leaders who use style. They expect that leaders will seduce them into following. SPs largely live for the moment and seldom chose activities that require too much structure or rules.

NFs want independence and autonomy from their leaders. The leader must be able to convince them of their plans and actions. Interestingly, leadership activity is most enjoyed by this temperament.

NTs prefer to be left alone stating that ‘We do not need anyone to lead us’. Leadership must have a challenging vision and go beyond the ordinary to attract NTs as followers. Incidentally, following is not something that comes easy for NTs.

(These differences may explain some of our political dynamics, but more on this in a later installment).

Careers for SJs (Sensing Judgers) - People who are ISTJ, ESTJ, ISFJ, ESFJ. SJs are best at jobs with some amount of responsibility in a stable company that has a clear-cut chain of command. They like structure and are comfortable with standard ways of doing things. They prefer environments where rewards are predictable and certain. The typical job for an SJ is a good “government “ job. You can see how the work related uncertainty over the last five years in Jamaica would have caused much stress for SJs.

Careers for SPs (Sensing Perceivers) – People who are ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP. SPs are attracted to work that allows them to act on impulse with autonomy, variety and action. They enjoy tasks that require them to demonstrate skills, especially if the results are immediate. SPs work satisfaction can range from street hustling in its many forms to law enforcement.

Careers NFs (Intuitive Feelers) – People who are ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP. NFs know how to bring out the best in others. They know how to resolve conflicts and help others find fulfilment. They value harmony and so they do not do well in competitive or divisive areas. NFs are drawn to the areas of teaching, human resources, consulting and the arts.

Careers NTs (Intuitive Thinkers) – People who are INTJ, ENTJ, ENTP, INTP. NTs have vision and are great innovators and do well in jobs that allow autonomy and intellectual stimulation. They find it hard to take orders from people whose competence they do not respect. NTs value power and are often found in positions of leadership, college-level teaching, upper management, the sciences, computers and medicine.