Cracking the Code: How Understanding Your Temperament Makes You a Better Man
Feeling like you’re constantly spinning your wheels in your relationships, leadership, and business?
Ever wonder why your partner seems like an alien, your team clashes like oil and water, and clients leave you scratching your head?
The answer might lie in an ancient Greek wisdom – the Hippocratean model of the four temperaments.
Imagine yourself divided into four fundamental elements: fire, air, earth, and water.
Each element shapes your unique personality, your strengths, and even your blind spots.
By understanding these temperaments, you unlock a powerful tool for self-awareness and better communication.
How I Learned About Temperaments
For my teenage and young adult years, I was an introvert.
Often preferring to be alone with a book rather than being around people.
I just didn’t get them.
Then I met my wife, who I didn’t get, but she was so fascinating that I wanted and needed to connect with her on a deeper level.
But, like I said, she was so different.
In many ways, she lived life in the exact opposite way that I did, maybe that was part of the attraction.
That’s when I researched and learned about Hippocrates’ temperament model.
And I got my first glimpse into a better understanding of people.
Here are the four broad brushstroke categories that Hippocrates came up with:
The Fiery Leader: Choleric (Driver)
Driven, decisive, and action-oriented, the Choleric thrives on challenges and gets things done.
They make natural leaders, but their bluntness and competitive spirit can sometimes be insensitive.
As a Choleric partner, practice active listening and soften your critiques.
As a leader, value your team’s input and delegate tasks to leverage their strengths.
In business, channel your drive into setting clear goals and motivating your team.
The Airy Visionary: Sanguine (Promoter)
Social, adaptable, and optimistic, the Sanguine is the life of the party.
They inspire others with their infectious enthusiasm, but can sometimes be seen as flighty or lacking focus.
As a Sanguine partner, be present and reliable.
As a leader, provide clear structure and deadlines to keep your team grounded. In business, use your charisma to build rapport and network effectively.
The Grounded Builder: Melancholic (Analyzer)
Deep, analytical, and detail-oriented, the Melancholic is the perfectionist of the group.
They bring meticulousness and quality to everything they do but can be prone to worry and indecisiveness.
As a Melancholic partner, express your appreciation and lighten up on yourself.
As a leader, delegate tasks that require quick decisions, and trust your team’s abilities.
In business, your thoroughness shines in quality control and strategic planning.
The Steady Caretaker: Phlegmatic (Supporter)
Calm, cooperative, and easygoing, the Phlegmatic brings stability and harmony to any group.
They are excellent listeners and mediators, but can sometimes struggle with expressing their needs and asserting themselves.
As a Phlegmatic partner, be more upfront about your desires and learn to say no.
As a leader, delegate tasks that require initiative and encourage your team to share their ideas.
In business, your calm demeanor fosters trust and builds strong client relationships.
It’s a Foot in the Door, Not the Full Story
Remember, these are just broad strokes.
Each temperament is unique, and the key lies in self-discovery.
By understanding your dominant temperament and recognizing the temperaments of those around you, you can unlock a deeper level of communication, empathy, and effectiveness in all areas of your life.
So, embark on this journey of self-discovery, and watch your relationships, leadership, and business soar to new heights.
Back to my wife and me
I discovered that everybody has all four temperaments but we tend to gravitate toward a primary and secondary.
And the other two will pop up in rare situations.
For example, my primary temperament is Melancholic (Analyzer), I love reading, analyzing, and researching data and information. I would rather be by myself with a book rather than around other people.
My secondary is Choleric (Driver), I don’t like being in charge, but I will if I don’t feel there is a better choice, or that the leader in charge is doing a crappy job. I will either help him to do better, or I will help the team to minimize his poor leadership.
As to the more people-oriented temperaments of Sanguine and Phlegmatic, they pop up sometimes but not often.
I’m Sanguine (Promoter) when I’m talking about martial arts, mathematics, or marketing; topics that I find fascinating. I can talk about those topics all night long.
I’m Phlegmatic (Supporter) when I’m around kids and animals or adults who are trying to improve themselves and help others. I’m open and willing to help them.
P.S. You can take advantage of my Analyzer/Driver temperaments to build your dream life, one week at a time.
Learn how I envisioned, planned, and executed my dream life, which I’ve been living for the past 30 years.
You can get it here: Design Your Ideal Week
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