Good communication is essential in the classroom and the work environments, but not everyone communicates the same way.
Based off of the book The Two Sides of Love by Trent and Smalley, Working with (and Teaching) Different Personalities, is a training class that explores four personality types and how they interact together in various environments. The 2-hour in-person personality training workshop is dedicated to recognizing the two sides of personalities and how to find balance between your dominant personality and other personality traits.
Teachers utilizing this training in their own classroom should consider reading The Treasure Tree to younger students at the beginning of the year. This Personality Quiz can be sent home as a family assignment.
ABOUT THE FOUR PERSONALITY TYPES
Lion: “Let’s Do It Now”
• Time Frame: Now, hate wasting time, get to the point
• Works: Quickly
• Focus: Results
• Threatened By: Questions
• Decision Making: Impulsive with end goal in mind
• Motivation: Results, challenge, action, power, and credit for achievement
• Under Pressure: Takes command and becomes autocratic
• Greatest Needs: See results, experience variety, face new challenges, solve problems, and receive direct answers
• Desires: Freedom, authority, variety, difficult assignments, opportunity to advance
• Growth: “Reformed Lion”
Don’t lose strengths but adopt soft-side traits.
On a Team
• Let them think they’re in control
• Stay professional and formal
• Let them know you’re working fast
• Let them make decisions
• Offer FEW choices
• Get right to the point
• Threatened by questions
Don’t take it personal if they’re a “little rude” … that’s their way!
Beaver: “How was it done in the past?”
• Time Frame: Slowly
• Works: Slowly for accuracy
• Focus: Rules, guidelines, past successes and failures
• Threatened By: Making decisions without data
• Decision Making: Avoids making decisions, needs lots of information
• Motivation: Desire to be right and maintain quality
• Under Pressure: Ignores deadlines and tries to avoid pressure and tense situations
• Greatest Needs: Security, gradual change, and time to adjust
• Desires: Clearly defined tasks, stability, security, low risk, tasks that require precision and planning
• Growth: Don’t rely on the “hard-side” of love
On a Team
• Be patient when they ask questions
• Thorough, detailed, ACCURATE answers
• Stay professional and formal
• Give them time to think
Don’t take it personal if they’re a “little distant” … that’s their way!
Otter: “Trust me! It will work out!”
• Time Frame: Quickly and rushes
• Works: Fast-paced (but people oriented)
• Focus: On the future and approval from others
• Threatened By: Conflict, arguments, slow decisions
• Decision Making: Intuitive and fast
• Motivation: Recognition and approval from others
• Under Pressure: Attacks others – more concerned about popularity than tangible results
• Greatest Needs: Social activities, recognition, freedom from details
• Desires: Prestige, friendly relationships, opportunity to motivate others and share ideas verbally
• Growth: Learn to say “ No”
On a Team
• Respond to their stories/jokes
• Be more informal
• Be cheerful and positive
• Comfort them if they seem annoyed
• Treat them like a VIP
Don’t take it personal if they’re a “the star of their own show” … you’re their audience!
Retriever: “Let’s leave things the way they are.”
• Time Frame: Slow
• Works: Slowly, people-oriented
• Focus: Present and helping others build relationships
• Threatened By: Having to give negative opinions of others
• Decision Making: Wants input from others, and often yields to input
• Motivation: Desire for good relationships and feeling appreciated by others
• Under Pressure: Gives into opinions of others
• Greatest Needs: Security, gradual change, time to adjust, no conflict
• Desires: Quality relationships, security, relaxed and friendly environment, freedom to work at own pace
• Growth: Develop “hard- side” qualities.
On a Team
• Use a soothing voice
• Be patient, offer reassurance
• Be informal and personable
• Give them time to “feel”
• Empathetic to personal stories
Don’t take it personal if they’re a “little sensitive” … that’s their way!
Schedule a Training
Call: 903-490-4896
Email: tsbaiter@gmail.com