The Keirsey Temperament Sorter For My Individual Behavior Assessment

I chose and completed the Keirsey Temperament Sorter for my Individual Behavior assessment.   This assessment is easy to use as there is not a lot to read and only two responses to choose from to complete each question/ statement. These questions set out to disclose a person’s character and temperament.  It took me about 15 minutes to complete 70 questions/ statements. I suppose I could have completed this assessment in less time; however, I pondered and reflected on some of the statements. As described on the website, this assessment is based on a person’s temperament that includes personality, values, communication style, attitude and behavior. An example of the type of questions include:  “Is it your way to 1. Make up your mind quickly 2. Pick and choose at some length.”

The Keirsey website states that the Keirsey Temperament Sorter divides personality types into four groups separated by noticeable temperament differences, each group having characteristics that are commendable and strong and those that are difficult and weak. The four temperament categories are Artisan (artistic and adaptable), Idealist (empathy and contributor), Rational (independent and willpower), and Guardian (reliable and respectable). The results of the test, based upon my responses, place me in the category of Guardian (the site states that this can be divided further; there are four types of Guardians, however, I would need to pursue further, and download reports to be able to have access). After reading the description of the Guardian temperament, these results are accurate.

The website states that 45% of the entire population is made up of Guardians and describes the characteristics of Guardians as dependable, factual,  detailed, concerned, law-abiding, service-oriented, steady, prefer structure, and value traditions  I am steadfast with upholding tradition including patriotic, religious, family and holiday traditions. I consider myself to be responsible, loyal, and a good citizen who is community-minded and provides service to others.  I prefer structure and order. I follow protocol and procedures and search for facts.   I can have fun, but know when it is time to be serious and get my work done.  Some weaknesses of a Guardian can be that they may take long to make decisions, don’t like to deviate, can be inflexible.  I can be indecisive until I research and am happy with the facts.  I know that I am not always spontaneous and can be inflexible; and this could be frustrating to others.

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During my middle and high school years I participated in many events at my church, was a youth volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, an active member of my high school Key Club, played football and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.  Most of these activities were well organized, highly disciplined and structured.  I continue with my community service and volunteerism today and plan to do so in the future.  My career goal is to become a physical therapist as a health officer with the United States Navy (again highly structured) or serve to help veterans. The Keirsey Temperament assessment can have many applications in the workplace if used properly and along with other recruitment and management tools, it can provide employers with additional information about prospective and current employees. In addition to helping with selection (in conjunction with interviews, background checks, skill testing etc), it can certainly be used for placement of employees based on the job and temperament types of other employees in a department.

It can be used for development of employees especially for management trainees.  Managers should know and understand their temperament type to be able to relate to their employees’ styles. This assessment can help to increase employee engagement. It can give managers insight about their employees strengths and weaknesses and how best to motivate and communicate with them. When individuals in an organization know something about each others ‘temperament type, what motivates them, how they prefer to make decisions and interact with each other, decisions can then be made with regard to communication, distribution of work assignments, participation in training and development programs and placement of employees on teams.

For example on some projects, Guardians may work well with an Artisan but on other projects a Guardian may work better with an Idealist or Rational type. Unless the project criterion dictates otherwise, I believe that members of a team should be from different temperament categories that could improve team effectiveness and synergy. There would be a lack of diversity, which could stifle creativity and sharing of ideas, and slow down decision making, if members who are all the same type are on a team. Disadvantages of using he Keirsey Temperament Sorter in the workplace is the validity of the test particularly in the accuracy and honesty of completion by the test taker. I feel that this assessment is too narrow in scope, as I noticed that I became frustrated by only having the option of two responses and then I was categorized in one explicit group.

While I may predominantly have the characteristics of a Guardian, I believe that I (and others too) can me a mix of each of the four categories and that this is contingent upon the situation at the time.  Also, it is one thing for managers to know what category and temperament type their employees fall into, but they must be trained to know what to do with this information and be flexible when dealing with other types, especially if other types differ from the manager’s temperament.  Managers and organizations need to be aware and cautioned from consistently assigning people to distinct categories, especially if it is inflexible and exclusive.

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