Personality Flashcards
Narratives reveal personality
We all know extroverted people and others who are introverted. We are aware of people who are creative by nature and others who
are more analytical. We know people who demonstrate highly varied behavioral characteristics depending on the
social environment. So how do these varied “types” apply to the transaction cycle?
Throughout most of human history, it has been posited that human beings generally fall into one of four basic personality or
behavioral types or temperaments. The earliest record of this was written in 400BC by Hippocrates, who noted that the four basic
temperaments of human behavior were:
idea-oriented,
theory-oriented,
action-oriented,
fact-oriented.
Humans have been recognized to have similar reactions and responses to common situations for centuries, leading to the
development of personality profiling and training. These typically center on four distinct types of behavior, which form the basis of
most personality tests. While over 250 versions of these tests exist, they lack two critical distinctions that our transactional model of
personality recognition addresses: where each type is best utilized in a specific transaction cycle and the fact that personalities tend
to show up in consequential situations. In other words, we revert to more dramatic impulses and reactions in very predictable ways
faced with agitating, threatening, emotional, or exciting situations.
We offer our personality framework as a foundational orientation to Transactional Competence; within the groups we occupy,
different personalities have different jobs to do, and each role allows the collective group to thrive.
Consider these narratives below and ask yourself the following questions:
which do I like most?
which do I avoid?
which do I use to offer value?
You’ll begin to see that these narratives begin to reveal something about your Transactional Personality.
super power quiz
Transactional Personality is about how we approach every exchange. It’s about how you and I grapple with our everyday
interactions with people, all of our relationship conversations, business meetings, and essential exchanges.
How do I discover my personality?
The narratives you love/avoid may begin to reveal where you offer value in transactions. Our model allows you to understand your
own personality and easily influence other personalities. Each Transactional Personality demonstrates assets, liabilities, and
behaviors that can accelerate transactions or grind them to a halt.
As a note, it has been well-documented that personality quizzes often fail to indicate any truth about you and me. Why? The reason
is our own bias for how we see ourselves or how we wish to be viewed by others. One of the benefits of this inquiry (and this is an
inquiry) is the exploration of a more valid reflection of yourself—how you and I behave in transactions.
As such, we begin to offer a mirror in which to see your true reflection; to see what it’s like for others to experience you in
transactions.
Even after you see the quiz result, stay curious. This inquiry opens new chapters for thriving.
Personality characteristics
Each personality coincides with a move in the transaction cycle (Invent, Present, Fulfill, and Complete). Certain personalities fit more
authentically and naturally inside one particular move. One’s biology is more suited for success in one particular move, and it is our
recommendation that human beings do not fight our natural biology—but rather embrace it.
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Cycle re personality
Inventor, subjectivism, possibilities
Performer, constructivism, intent to act
Producer, objectivism, activity
judge, skepticism, facts and judgments
inventor - vision and the future
super power - Inventors tend to be future-based, idea-oriented people who are self-reliant and highly subjective in their thinking.
kryptonite - Inventors tend to halt transactions with new ideas or a need to control and may avoid/dismiss relationships and judgments.
world view
Your philosophy of life or concept of the world—the overarching context for “how things are.”
SUBJECTIVISM
The view that there is no external or objective truth and reality is what is imagined or ‘of the mind.’
IDEALISM
The practice of forming ideals or living under their influence.
NARRATIVE: POSSIBILITIES
In transaction, often sees possibilities as limitless; there are a multitude of solutions
SELF-ACTIONAL
If it is to be, it is up to me. I am an overlord of my world, I know best, and I can turn things out.
Superpower
The value (superpower) you bring to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
THE FUTURE
The enthusiasm to explore uncharted and often bold futures.
VISION & CONTROL
A mind often working on a five to ten year plan; a vision worth getting behind.
IMAGINATIVE, STRATEGIC, OPTIMISTIC
A vision for how things could come together towards a satisfactory outcome for all involved.
POSITIVE MOODS
The glass is almost always half-full of new possibilities.
Kryptonite
The cost (kryptonite) you are to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
EGO
Big ideas come with big egos. While this is required for uncharted territory, be careful not to bully others into submission. Learn to say “I don’t know.”
INDEPENDENT
Just because you can do it all yourself doesn’t mean you should. Independence is a kind of poverty (this is why some great ideas never take off). Beware.
BROODING / ARROGANCE
When you are uncertain or noodling on a problem, you can get broody and arrogant. Careful not to get it on others.
SEE OTHERS AS IDIOTS
Inventors see others as either equals or idiots (and for you, there are few equals).
Performer - mood and influence
Superpower
Performers tend to be present based, relationship-oriented people who are inclined to be highly flexible in their thinking.
Kryptonite
Performers tend to halt transactions with relationship concerns or mood campaigns and may avoid/dismiss commitments and facts.
Worldview
Your philosophy of life or concept of the world—the overarching context for “how things are.”
CONSTRUCTIVISM
Constructing new understandings, knowledge, and narratives to integrate with what they already know.
RELATIONSHIP
The cornerstone of your worldview is through relationships with others and as a connector.
NARRATIVE: INTENT TO ACT
In transaction, once a possibility comes into focus, they produce narratives for how we could intend to act.
OTHERS ORIENTED
Concerned with others (almost to a fault).
Superpower
The value (superpower) you bring to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
MOOD & INTENTION
They walk into a room and set the temperature; often lifting the mood and setting the tone or intention.
INFLUENCE & RELATIONSHIP
Their currency is influence and their primary asset is the networks of relationships they care for.
SOCIABLE, LITHE, GREGARIOUS
A natural story teller with a gift for making others feel included, welcomed, and appreciated.
POSITIVE MOODS
The glass is almost always half-full of new possibilities - we can achieve together.
Kryptonite
The cost (kryptonite) you are to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
RELATIONSHIP
When you fear burning bridges you tend to give away too much of yourself, your time, and your money.
FLAKEY
While you’re taking care of one person, you often don’t attend to the meeting time or the commitments you gave.
ANNOYANCE / INTOLERANCE
Often taking care of everyone in the room, any disrespect of others is met with annoyance or intolerance. Careful not to get it on others.
SEE OTHERS AS BUFFOONS
The moment someone disrespects a performer, watch out! They construct a bad story as fast as they can create good ones.
Producer - alliances and requests
Superpower
Producers tend to be short term and objective in their thinking and are highly work-oriented doers.
Kryptonite
Producers tend to halt transactions with premature or unnecessary doing and may avoid/dismiss completion and flexibility.
Worldview
Your philosophy of life or concept of the world—the overarching context for “how things are.”
OBJECTIVISM
The tendency to lay stress on what is external to or independent of the mind. External things are what they are (regardless of our subjective opinion).
REALISM
The attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly.
NARRATIVE: LABOR, WORK, AND ACTION
In transaction, the Producer takes commitments into labor, work, and action producing the results or consequences of that transaction.
INTER-ACTIONAL
Views life as cause and effect; you get something done by acting to move that thing by work, force or determination.
Superpower
The value (superpower) you bring to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
ALLIANCE & FORCE
Can coordinate action, produce work, and delegate tasks.
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE
Typically can (and must) see how the next 30-90 days will go; as such, they are great at implementing tactics.
DETERMINED, AUSTERE, RIGOROUS
They are often in the mood to get things done. Period.
POSITIVE-ISH MOODS
The glass is half-full for some possibilities (although not all possibilities).
Kryptonite
The cost (kryptonite) you are to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
BEING INCLUDED
If not included, Producers won’t fare well. You’ll find a way to begin your plan of gossip and sabotage.
CAN SEEM NEGATIVE
Just because you want to move everything from an idea to a “to-do list” doesn’t mean others are ready for that. Requests for action can, for others, be seen as a negative mood.
IRRITATION / BELIGERANCE
When things are inconsistent (or you’re not included), watch out. Your irritation will quickly grow into outright belligerence.
SEE OTHERS AS LOYAL OR TRAITORS
Producers are often loyal to a fault. If others aren’t pulling their own weight or demonstrating loyalty, they’re traitors. Being too loyal sometimes costs the Producer whole-life satisfaction.
Judge - authority and evidence
Superpower
Judges tend to be skeptical people relying on standards, competence, and evidence before taking action.
Kryptonite
Judges tend to halt transactions with premature evidence or restrictive standards and may avoid/dismiss vision and repetition.
Worldview
Your philosophy of life or concept of the world—the overarching context for “how things are.”
SKEPTICISM
The view that offers suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism until facts are known and proven.
STANDARDS AND ETHICS
The view that there are standards or ethics that must be honored by all involved.
NARRATIVE: FACTS / JUDGEMENTS
In transaction, often sees results or consequences and offers judgements, or produces the facts of a transaction.
INTER-ACTIONAL
Views life as cause and effect; you get something done by acting to move that thing by force and determination.
Superpower
The value (superpower) you bring to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
CONFRONTATION & AUTHORITY
Often working on the culmination of facts and the establishing the standards which produce desired outcomes.
THE PAST & EVIDENCE
Inventories the evidence and resources.
SKEPTICAL, CRITICAL, CONFRONTATIONAL
Unwilling to act until evidence offers a contrary standard. Often able to confront those who disregard their standard.
CRITICAL MOODS
The glass is almost always half-empty and awaits evidence to the contrary.
Kryptonite
The cost (kryptonite) you are to others or yourself, in exchanges or transactions.
ANALYSIS PARALYSIS
Skepticism is a good thing, it keeps us out of danger; but if you never leave the shore you can’t discover new lands.
INDEPENDENT
Just because you can do it all yourself doesn’t mean you should. Independence is a kind of poverty (this is why some great ideas never take off). Beware.
RESIGNATION / RIGHTEOUS
Judges can get resigned that things will never be any different - and righteously so.
SEE OTHERS AS STUPID
Judges tend to see others as stupid for not seeing the facts or standards they consider ‘truth’.
Inventor characteristics
Transactional move - Invent
Relationship to time - Long term future
Proficiency - vision and control
Currency - future
Types of speaking -declaration
Asset/liability - ego
Kudos - being acknowledged
Appropriate moods - strategic, optimistic, imaginative
Moods projected - positive
Behavioural orientation - thought
Transactional orientation - creative
Contractual orientation - on time
Learn best by. -thinking/reading
Relationships to possibility - everything
Self vs others - self self
Say to others - you should/I will
Mood/attitude in breakdown - brooding/arrogance
Assessment of others - equals/idiots
Misinterpret as results - ideas, new inventions
Dominant need for happiness -certainty
Performer characteristics
Transactional move - perform
Relationship to time- present
Proficiency - mood and intention
Currency - influence
Types of speaking - promise
Asset/liability - relationship
Kudos - being liked
Appropriate moods - social, lithe, gregarious
Moods projected - positive
Behavioural orientation - action
Transactional orientation - creative
Contractual orientation - just in time (often late)
Learn best by - talking/writing
Relationships to possibilitiy - everything
Self vs others - others others
Say to others - we could you could
Mood/attitude in breakdown - annoyance/intolerance
Assessment of others - respectful/buffoons
Misinterpret as results - relationships
Dominant need for happiness -freedom
Producer characteristics
Transactional move - fulfil
Relationship to time - immediate future
Proficiency - alliance and force
Currency - deadlines
Types of speaking - requests
Asset/liability- being included
Kudos -being liked
Appropriate moods - determined, austere, rigorous
Moods projected - negative
Behavioural orientation - action
Transactional orientation - protective
Contractual orientation - on time, often early
Learn best by - doing, listening
Relationships to possibility -some thing
Self vs others - others self
Say to others. -we need to we have to
Mood/attitude in breakdown - irritation/belligerance
Assessment of others - loyal/traitors
Misinterpret as results - repetition
Dominant need for happiness. -consistency
Judge characteristics
Transactional move - complete
Relationship to time - the past
Proficiency - confrontation and authority
Currency - evidence
Types of speaking - assess
Asset/liability - standards
Kudos - being acknowledged
Appropriate moods - skeptical, critical, confrontational
Moods projected - negative
Behavioural orientation - thought
Transactional orientation - protective
Contractual orientation - just in time
Learn best by - listening/reading
Relationships to possibility - nothing
Self vs others - self others
Say to others - you should have, i am willing to if
Mood/attitude in breakdown - resignation/righteous
Assessment of others - my or our standards./stupid
Misinterpret as results - assessment
Dominant need for happiness - security
