Many of us are familiar with the work of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875-1961). He realized that much of our seemingly random behavior is actually very predictable and follows certain patterns, based on some basic differences in our personalities. These differences greatly influence 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 cares more about the consequences for the people involved in making decisions? All of this can be explained by examining some common personal characteristics, Jung asserted.
Now, Jung wasn’t the first to notice differences in people, and he certainly wasn’t the last to investigate the subject. The ancient Greeks already had a notion about different behavioral preferences at the time of Hippocrates (around 450 BC). And the Native American Indians also understood personal preference.
A well-known contemporary version of the personality type profile is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Still used by millions of people around the world for many purposes, the MBTI, as it’s called, distinguishes between 16 different personality types, based on a person’s preference for focusing energy (introvert or extravert), receiving information (sensing or intuition), to come to conclusions (think or judge) and to deal with the outside world (perceive or judge).
The Myers-Briggs system is very complete and detailed. After taking the test, 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 “theirs”, it is easy to find out what kind of work that person will prefer in general, what work environment will be better, whether this person likes to be around people or not, what they enjoy doing in their free time, if this person is more analytical or more “sensory”, etc. I like to write with my right hand. If you’re right-handed, but your boss expects you to write with your left hand, you’re in trouble. Even worse would be when he wants you to write with your left foot. You don’t prefer that!
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 sanguine, melancholic, phlegmatic and choleric. 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 light, 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; later 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’s, in Myers-Briggs) among us are the independent analytical, strategic and future-focused thinkers. They value knowledge, such as models and theory, enjoy science and technology, and seek objective fairness and justice. They have a strong need to master any subject and can sometimes be seen as 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, making 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 may be considered “dreamers” as personal values and future possibilities are seen as superior to present competition.
Tea kangaroos (SP) are the “doers”, the realistic and present-focused, impulsive and fun-loving hustlers. They are spontaneous, love to do a variety of things, and are good at problem solving and negotiating. They want immediate feedback and take it well. They are physically active, love to do things that involve movement, and are naturally optimistic. Kangaroos can sometimes be considered “shallow”; they don’t seem to really care about “tomorrow” or the deeper meaning behind life.
Tea wombats (SJ’s), in conclusion, are practical people focused on the past, responsible and traditional, with a vocation for service. They love routine, predictability and highly value authority and rules. They rely on empirical data as it is based on past experiences to which they relate. They value prizes and awards, and are often drawn to ceremonies. Wombats strive to maintain institutions and order, and will strive to keep things “the same”. They may be considered by the other guys as “boring”, because they don’t like change and “the unknown”.
Now each and every one of us carries parts of each temperament. We’re all.” On the other hand, it’s been proven that we all have preferences. We prefer some aspects over others. It doesn’t mean we don’t use the non-preferred aspects. It just means that given the choice, we’ll probably prefer our more “natural” strength use a dominant hand to write).
I was trained by Michael White as a Dreamtime Personality Facilitator and use the system on both children and adults in my coaching practice. It is a great tool for parents and teachers to find out what their child’s/student’s natural strengths are, and what areas might need some 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, what 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 what our “weakest links” are and what type of situation stresses us more than others. By knowing our preferences, we can look for ways to use our strongest aspects to restore balance in our lives.
In a later article, I will describe traits common to many of the people in my target market, which are natural and complementary health practitioners, therapists, and healers. You may already have an idea of their “temperament” if you read the description of the Dreamtime animals. I’ll give you a hint: nothing.
Bruin Mark