Day 88 Question 88:

What personality type are you?

Lately I seemed to hear more and more people use the term “Type A” personality.  I was thinking about it this morning and I really wasn’t sure of what it entailed to have a “Type A” personality so as my usual self,  I did my research.  I was curious to know what my personality was according to these “Type A, B and C” personalities.  I copied and pasted some descriptions below….what kind of personality are you.

So, in my research, the conclusion that I came to is that I am more than anything a “Type B-Socializer” personality.   I know it is being judgmental but I was glad once I started reading about “Type A” that I really didn’t fit into that mold.  My first initial thoughts were people that were/are abrasive and neurotic.  I immediately imagined my extremely aggressive and abrasive landlord.  She is absolutely a “Type A” personality but she is extremely unbalanced.  She is unable to use her “status” for good.  Instead she uses it for evil…hence why in a previous entry I said that “If you don’t believe the devil exists, you would be wrong, because she comes in the form of my landlord.”

Anyhooooooooooooooooo, my personality is definitely that of The Socializer.  As of lately I have kept a little more to myself and become reserved in a sense but when I am in public settings I am very outgoing.  I love to laugh and I absolutely love talking to people….I love finding out what is going on in their lives and hear all of their stories.  I love to make people feel at ease and give them advice when needed or make them laugh and smile because I sense that they could use it.  If you read the description below of the ‘Type B” personality it really does fit me like a glove.  I am drawn to wanting and needing to work in the community and want to be a part of projects in which there is a potential for change…the potential for improvement and flourishing of humanity.  I am packed full of ideas and I am always wanting to share them and get the input of others.  Sometimes I feel like I am busting at the seams when I am feeling passionate about a topic or am involved in a project that I believe could make a very significant difference.  I, of course, can become too chatty and sometimes I don’t always use discretion the way I should when voicing my opinions and thoughts.  It can be a downfall or a character flaw per se.  I admit to having a hard time understanding where some people are coming from and if I am feeling passionate and driven about something I do not always listen as closely as I should to hear them out.  With my awareness though, I am working on it.

“Type B-The Socializer” is absolutely who and how I am but I do have some traits from other personality types as well….I just don’t have the majority of them.  I can be a leader but I can become so anxious about coming off like a “know-it-all” or “Bully” that  I do not always put that extra oooomph in that is needed from a leader.  There is a fine line between managing and micromanaging and I do not want to cross it….there is nothing worse than a micromanager….especially one that is rarely doing their own job up to satisfaction.  There is a huge stigma that goes along with the “Type A” personality and that stigma is one of a personal being impatient and could even be considered mean or rude.  I would never want to be thought of in that manner ever.  I believe there are too many people in management positions that do not need to be in them.  I can’t even begin to count the number of managers that I have had that were on power trips and treated their staff like animals by belittling them or degrading them.  Or the manager that would bark a million orders to her staff and the entire time would be surfing Facebook in her office.  The “Type A” personality does not exactly receive the best reputation.  Out of all of the personalities….this is the one that requires the greatest balancing act.

I had to giggle a little bit when I was reading all of these descriptions because although it was obvious I was a “Type B” personality, there were descriptions in the “Type D-The Distressed” personality that I couldn’t help but imagine myself.  I completely admit that I sometimes get too hung up on routine.  I have 500 different things mapped out in my head for the next month and I must stay ahead on everything.  Sometimes I have a good laugh at myself because I rush things and plan things and someone would swear I had future notice of a Tsunami coming and I wanted to be prepared before it hits.  This has been a hard habit for me to break.  It started when I was so young and it became a pattern….it became a normalcy in my life.  I am getting much better because when I have moments of rushing and doing 500 things at once I will stop and say, “What will really happen if this doesn’t get done today?”  When I answer the question there is rarely a negative response.  I realize I am rushing and planning in such detail for no reason.  A lot of this planning and structure was a huge part of my anxiety and depression issues that I juggled for a lot of years of my life.  I was always missing out on the NOW because I was 25 steps ahead in planning.

So now that you know more about my wacky personalities, I am curious to know what kind of personality you think you are.  Now, also, do not get me wrong with what I have written…I do not think Type A personalities are bad people.  I find this personality type to be the hardest to balance because there is a great deal of pressure.  When someone is a leader, it is inevitable that they will have enemies or people that dislike them for all kinds of reasons….or for no reason at all.  Many of the reasons are extremely superficial.  In being a “good” leader, one must be able to portray balance and stability…..they must be able to be firm but also sensitive.  See what I mean by it being a great balancing act.

Check out the definitions below that I found on the good ole Internet and fill me in…you know I am interested :0)   Also, what kind of effect do you feel that the different personality types have on relationships?  Can a Type A and a Type B really be compatible and have a successful relationship?

Type A “The Leader”

Behavior Characteristics: highly independent, take charge, decisive, direct, business-like, ambitious, efficient, motivated, persistent, focused, risk taking, practical solution oriented, dislike routine, high achieving, no-nonsense, multitasking, deadline driven and change oriented.

Weaknesses: aggressive, controlling, too competitive, impatient, status conscious, high strung, workaholic, often interrupt, insensitive, walk or talk at a rapid pace, easily upset over small things, blunt, rushed and time starved.

Appealing Jobs: business, entrepreneurship, management and politics.

Many researchers believe that Type A behavior is a reaction to environmental factors and are influenced by culture and job structure.  Many jobs today place unrealistic demands on time, emphasize efficiency and productivity, and put heavy penalties for mistakes.  This only creates additional stress making people less patient.  Others may be naturally intense, but this tendency is increased by environmental stress.

Type B “The Socializer”

Behavior Characteristics: highly extroverted, strong charisma, easy going, sense of humor, high energy, talkative, enthusiastic, gregarious, travel oriented, community minded, and enjoy being the center of attention.

Weaknesses: excessive socializing and may take things personally.

Appealing Jobs: advertising, event planning, marketing, public speaking, sales and travel consulting.

Type C “The Detailer”

Behavior Characteristics: introverted, accurate, logical, analytical, reserved, calculated, crave facts, consistent, procedural, rule abiding, predictable, dependable, loyal, patient, cautious, rational, risk averse, deep, thoughtful, sensitive and precise.

Weaknesses: perfectionism, overly serious, conforming, pleasing, difficulty communicating with others, unassertive, excessively detail oriented and emotionally limited.

Appealing Jobs: accountants, analyst, customer service representatives, engineers, programmers and technical careers.

Type D “The Distressed”

Behavior Characteristics: appreciate routine, need structure, orderly, dependable, supportive of others, punctual, consistent, motivated by security and benefits and work well from a set of directives.

Weaknesses: anxious, angry, depressed, worried, tense, inertia, change averse, overacting, inability to express emotions, low self-esteem, socially inhibited, lack creativity, resist responsibility and prefer to be told what to do.