The Influencing Personality
Introduction
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The High I personalities generally have a positive outlook on life. They are
expressive, enthusiastic, and the life of the party.
They meet people easily, have effective social skills and can motivate others to
agree with them in a friendly manner. They initiate with poise and persuasion.
Influencer’s have the ability to provide practical insight to assist and encourage
others to carry on, especially when they are discouraged.
The Influencing personality influences people by being the Promoter, Persuader,
Counselor, and Appraiser.
Biblical Characters With Influencing Personality Traits:
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Aaron, King Saul
Peter, Rebekah
Barnabas, Abigail
David, Mary Magdalene
Promoter
Persuader
Counselor
Appraiser
High I
I/D
I/S
I/C
General Tendencies of the Influencing Personality:
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A Strong Capacity for Trusting and Accepting Others: They have an
unusual capacity to trust others and project unconditional acceptance toward
many different people. They can even accept those perceived as an outcast.
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Affectionate, Approachable, and Understanding: High I’s accept, appreciate
and are affectionate with others. They are most comfortable when relating to and
interacting, with people in a positive, friendly environment. They communicate
nonverbally that they can be easily approached.
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Socially Oriented: They fill their schedules with social activities.
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Barnabas was they best example of a promoter profile in the Bible.
Blind Spots of the High I Personality:
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Need for Personal Recognition: They become tense if they must share
attention with others. Nothing stimulates the High I more than being publicly
recognized and accepted.
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Need for Social Acceptance: The need for recognition is one of the most
important measurements of a High I’s self-acceptance. Without it they feel
empty. They must learn that their need for lasting acceptance can only be
fulfilled in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Fear of Social Rejection: Just the prospect of social rejection can create
intense fear. Social rejection can destroy the confidence of a High I.
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Tendency Toward Disorganization: Excuses and good intentions often keep
the High I from being productive and achieving their potential. They often have
several major projects lying around waiting to be completed. They never seem to
have enough time to finish their projects. If some one questions them why they
have not finished their projects, they become defensive. Their disorganization
often results in them losing or misplacing items. .
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Primary High I Personality
(The Promoter Personality)
1.
II.
Tendencies of High I Personalities:
Primary drive
Creating a favorable,
friendly environment
Personal giftedness
Quick of tongue, special ability
to affirm and encourage others
Group giftedness
Relieving tension, articulating
information
Potential spiritual gifts
Helps, Hospitality, Mercy
Internal fear
Public or social rejection
Strength out of control
Speaking without thinking
Under stress becomes
Careless and disorganized
Blind spots
Remembering past commitments
Needs to work on
Remaining objective when
encountering social pressure
Best team members
Pure C, C/S, C/S/D, S/C
Biblical Characters Who Represent High I Personality
Traits:
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III.
Aaron
King Saul
Further Bible Study:
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Strengths
Weaknesses
Ex. 4:14, 27-31; 6:28-7:2
Ex. 20:1-2; 24:1-24; 32:1-6, 21-24
1 Sam. 15:1-3, 7-9, 13-30
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High I Personality Traits
(The Promoter Personality)
The Promoter exhibits the most pure tendencies of the Influencing style.
Positive Traits:
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The High I possesses the greatest natural ability to express verbal approval
and acceptance.
They have a gift for verbal communication.
High C’s, who have difficulty expressing themselves, need the skills of High
I’s.
Example: How God used Aaron to help Moses.
Personal Giftedness:
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High I’s are gifted at motivating others to support a project or cause.
After the High I receives credit, they use praise of others as a way of
expressing their appreciation for any successes.
Strength Out of Control:
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When High I’s make a mistake, they often use the praise of others in an effort
to cover up their errors.
They will also shift blame to others for their own mistakes.
Their excuses to cover up their mistakes can be so convincing they often get
away with acting irresponsibly.
Approach To Teamwork:
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High I’s use their contacts with other people to get the resources needed for
the task.
They use other people’s strengths to cover up their weaknesses.
Leadership or Management Style:
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High I’s use a democratic style of leadership.
They facilitate open communication with others.
The seek agreement before making final decisions.
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Sensitivity to Other’s Feelings:
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High I’s are more sensitive to others than any of the other personality types.
They are concerned that others be satisfied and happy.
They are quick to offer encouragement to others.
They reach out to others to help them.
Releasing Stress:
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High I’s will often become more talkative when stressed.
They will seek out a social gathering in order to be around people.
They may verbally attack others when stressed.
They release their stress through social interaction with others.
Recovery from Emotional Stress:
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High I’s spend time with others in a social context.
They talk on the phone or contact others using email or other internet
resources.
Making Spiritual Commitments or a Commitment to Christ:
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High I’s will often commit to Christ after an inspiring presentation or sermon.
They often make commitments in a group in front of others.
They are motivated to make spiritual commitments if others are doing so or
there is expectation to follow others in their commitment.
Strengths of the High I Personality:
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Emotionally responsive to others
Optimistic particularly when beginning a project or task.
Confident
Socially sensitive to others
Verbally enthusiastic
Trusting and affirming
Complementary Strengths Needed:
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Objective problem solver (D personalities)
Follow through with tasks (S personalities)
Realistic perceptions and asking critical questions (C personalities)
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Making unpopular decisions (D personalities)
Good listener (S personalities)
The High I/D Personality
(The Persuader Personality)
1.
II.
Tendencies of I/D Personalities:
Primary drive
Independence, uninhibited
risk taker
Personal giftedness
Friendly manner, verbal and
nonverbal adeptness
Group giftedness
Reading people’s needs and
persuading them to action
Potential spiritual gifts
Evangelism, Hospitality,
Exhortation
Internal fear
Being rejected by friends
Strength out of control
Overconfident in self, verbalizes
without direction
Under stress becomes
Stubborn, argumentative, and
verbally reckless
Blind spots
Connecting past events and
comments with present actions
Needs to work on
Attending to details, follow-through
Best team members
S, S/C, S/D, SCI
Biblical Characters Who Represent I/D Personality
Traits :
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III.
Peter
Rebekah
Further Bible Study:
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Strengths
Weaknesses
Acts 2:11-47; 3:1-26; 4:1-22
Matt. 26:31-35, 69-75
The High I/D Personality Traits
(The Persuader Pattern)
Positive Traits:
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I/D (Persuader) personalities have the ability to reach out to strangers with
openness and a friendly spirit.
They will speak to anyone, can quickly discern needs, and warmly extend a
helping hand to others.
Physical contact is also a natural characteristic. They are quick to be
affectionate by shaking hands, giving hugs, patting someone’s arm or
shoulders, and kissing people on the cheek.
Example: Rebekah reaching out to Abraham’s servant
Personal Giftedness:
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I/D (Persuaders) personalities are effective communicators and are
comfortable in making impromptu speeches that are personalized to the
needs of any group or themselves.
They know how to capitalize on the momentum generated by their verbal
persuasion.
Example: In Acts 2 and 4 Peter preaches to a crowd of three thousand and
five thousand.
Strength Out of Control:
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I/D (Persuaders) personalities tend to listen selectively.
They often only listen to the first few words of a speaker and then
inappropriately offer comments out of context.
Example: In Matt. 16 Peter reacted inappropriately.
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The High I/S Personality
(The Counselor Personality)
1.
II.
Tendencies of I/S Personalities:
Primary drive
Maintaining peace and harmony
Personal giftedness
Seeing the potential in people
in spite of their flaws
Group giftedness
Constantly affirming and
encouraging others
Potential spiritual gifts
Giving, Helps, Pastor/Teacher
Internal fear
Disappointing friends,
Experiencing disharmony
Strength out of control
Being too tolerant and trusting
Under stress becomes
Overly accommodating to
maintaining relationships
Blind spots
Determining when a situation
is too abusive
Needs to work on
Being more objective about
people and situations
Best team members
D/C, C/D, S/C/D
Biblical Characters Who Represent I/S Personality
Traits:
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III.
Barnabas
Abagail
Further Bible Study:
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Strengths
Acts 9:26-29, I Sam. 25:3-35
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Weaknesses
Acts 15:36-40, I Sam. 25:19-36
The High I/S Personality Traits
(The Counselor Personality)
Positive Traits:
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I/S (Counselor) personalities are approachable, affectionate, and
understanding.
I/S (Counselor) personalities are also gifted with the ability to see the good in
others, rather than just look for their faults.
Example: Barnabas encouraged both Paul and Mark when no one else
would.
Personal Giftedness:
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I/S (Counselor) personalities possess excellent interpersonal skills along with
being stable and dependable.
They are often principle members in an informal communication system and
generally exert positive influence because of their optimistic attitudes.
Example: Barnabas whose name means “son of encouragement”. In Acts 15
Barnabas is a major influence in helping the Jerusalem council work through
the problem of accepting Gentiles in the church.
Strength Out of Control:
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I/S (Counselor) personalities have a tendency to use an indirect approach
and tolerance in dealing with problems.
The caring nature of the I/S personality could become a weakness if overused
in situations where establishing firm boundaries would lead to responsible
behavior in others.
Example: In I Samuel 25, Abigail goes around her foolish, drunk husband to
protect him from David and his men.
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The High I/C Personality
(The Appraiser Personality)
1.
II.
Tendencies of I/C Personalities.
Primary drive
Being innovative with flair
and committed to excellence
Personal giftedness
Working through people and
having fun
Group giftedness
Inspiring people to be excited about
working together and enjoying it
Potential spiritual gifts
Faith, Leadership, Mercy
Internal fear
Coming under public criticism,
looking bad before peers
Strength out of control
Becomes emotionally assertive,
competitive and sometimes reckless
Under stress becomes
Impatient, critical, and emotionally
intense
Blind spots
Being rational when under
emotional stress
Needs to work on
Controlling mood swings, being
more tolerant of the “shoulds” and
“should nots”
Best team members
S/C, S/C/D, C/S, I/S
Biblical Characters Who represent I/C Personality
Traits:
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III.
David
Mary Magdalene
Further Bible Study:
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Strengths
Weaknesses
1 Sam. 16:18; 18:5-8, 20-30
2 Sam. 11:1-27; 12:1-24
The High I/C Personality Traits
(The Appraiser Personality)
Positive Traits:
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I/C (Appraiser) personalities are driven to win but prefer to achieve their
victories by working with and through people.
They have the charisma to persuade team members to join them in achieving
their personal goals and objectives.
Appraisers often have a “win-win” philosophy.
They strive to succeed with flair and style, but truly desire that others be a
part of any success achieved.
Example: In 1 Samuel 18, David typified winning with style.
Personal Giftedness:
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I/C (Appraiser) personalities have the gift of making others feel like important
and valued members of the team.
They can communicate that the efforts of others really count toward achieving
a team’s goals which increases team morale and productivity.
Example: David had a reputation among his peers for being an extremely
wise, charismatic leader, and his soldiers considered it a privilege to serve
under him.
Under Stress:
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The I/C personality contends with two opposing emotions: a need for close
relationships and a need to accomplish tasks.
Under pressure, these two drives produce a person who acts like a coiled,
quivering spring.
They become restless, impatient, and aggressive.
It is common for them to walk or jog to release stress.
I/C (Appraiser) personalities have to learn to relax to guard against burn out.
Example: In 2 Samuel 11, David became restless and while walking on the
roof of his house to relieve tension, he saw Bathsheba bathing. His emotional
needs got away from him because he was unable to control his response to
pressure.
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Needs of the Influencing Personality
In many relationships people’s needs are miscommunicated. We frequently impose
our need system on others and expect them to react accordingly. When they don’t,
we push harder to make them respond, only to become frustrated. The result is
added stress and often the severing of the relationship.
Core Need Issues of the High I Personality:
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High I’s are relational people. They need to be in relations with others.
They desire a positive social environment and are particularly sensitive to
maintaining a positive social relationship with their peers.
They do not respond well in an environment that is negative and demanding.
They want: social acceptance, freedom of expression, freedom from control,
freedom from details, freedom from formal chain-of-command structure, and
opportunities for social interaction.
Their fear of rejection is a real and dynamic force in their life.
We are being unrealistic in expecting them to not let social pressure affect
them. They need our support in dealing with this issue and not our criticism.
Unless they are extremely mature, the need for positive social relationships
will affect their decision making process.
Common Responses of the High I Under Stress:
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Give them clear instructions: They will not commitment to anything unless
they have clear instructions about what to do and how to do it. See Exodus
20:1-17
Agreement and commitment: They will attempt to get others to agree and
commit. (See: Exodus 24)
Social pressure causes them to give in: (See: Exodus 32:2-6)
Confrontation causes defensiveness. (See :Exodus 32:21)
Blame others: The can be very creative and convincing in shifting the blame
to someone else. They convince themselves first they are not to blame and
then they convince you. (See: Exodus 32:22-24)
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The Three R’s in Loving the High I
 Responding To A High I
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Be friendly and positive
Allow for informal dialogue
Allow time for stimulating and fun activities
 Relating To A High I
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Use friendly voice tones
Allow time for them to verbalize their feelings
You transfer talk to an action plan
 Reinforcing The High I
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Offer positive encouragement and incentives for taking on tasks.
You organize the action plan.
Communicate positive recognition
Additional Information:
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Recognize their need to be leaders in groups and to express themselves
verbally.
 They love public recognition.
 Example: Simon Peter is a classic example of a High I leader who took
opportunities to speak out. (See: Matt. 16)
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Recognize their tendency to test boundaries to their limits.
 They often test and overstep their boundaries.
 They get “out of bounds” by offering their opinion when it is not asked for.
 Sometimes they have to be shocked back into the necessary limits.
 Example: Peter demonstrated this in Matt. 16:21-24.
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Recognize their tendency to have high levels of confidence in themselves
and others.
 High I’s, particularly I/D’s, have a great deal of confidence in their ability
to influence others.
 They can accept people as they are and encourage them to move
forward, no matter what the obstacles.
 Desiring a positive environment, High I’s often will respond to negative
events with optimism.
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Their optimistic quality can become a problem when the High I’s
confidence in himself exceeds his ability to keep his promises. Too much
talk and not enough action.
High I’s do not ask themselves, “Can I really follow through on what I am
saying?” Am I really being helpful?” “Should I just be quiet?”
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Recognize the difficulty they have in following through on commitments
 Under stress a High I tends to protect and defend him or herself.
 If confronted, the High I will usually deny their responsibility and fail to
follow through on the commitments they have made.
 If they are not following through with commitments, talk with them in a
non-confrontational manner and attempt to work out an agreeable
solution.
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Provide a friendly and positive environment.
 High I’s enjoy having fun and respond best in an environment that is
friendly and bustling with activity.
 A High I usually prefers companionship to being alone.
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Give them the opportunity to verbalize their feelings.
 They like expressing their ideas and opinions. This helps them feel
important and gives them a sense of having a say in their future.
 Always give them time to talk through their ideas.
 Do not take everything they say literally.
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Give them ideas for transferring talk to action.
 High I’s can benefit from ideas that help them transfer talk into action.
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Give them positive social recognition.
 Positive recognition (i.e. titles, commendations, acknowledgments)
particularly before their peers helps a High I choose to motivate himself to
succeed.
 Your success is increased in working with High I’s when you give them
the opportunity to be recognized for their efforts.
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Use confrontation only when necessary.
 Generally speaking, High I’s do not respond favorably to confrontation. It
tends to demoralize them and cause them to loose their motivation.
 Sometimes it is necessary to use confrontation with High I’s to get their
attention such as when they lose their concentration.
 The confrontation is best received if it centers on future actions rather than
past events. When asked to explain their past actions they often respond
with an array of excuses.
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Difficulties Relating to High I’s:
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High D: It is difficult for High D’s to listen to a problem knowing that the High I’s
are not necessarily interested in hearing about a solution. High D’s are
interested in the bottom line.
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High I:
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High S: Difficult keeping up with their tendency to change plans while they are
speaking. High S’s need time to process changes.
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High C: They need to be less inhibited, to loosen up.
Sharing the stage with another High I.
How To Build Better Relationships With High I’s:
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High D: They focus on relationships rather than reaching the goal.
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High I:
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High S: Allow them to participate in activities that do not make sense to us.
Trying something different with them.
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High C: Lower our expectations and modify demands for perfection.
They need to share the limelight and not be threatened by other I’s.
Most Needed Talents of the High I:
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High D: We need their skills in how to build close relationships; having fun and
keeping relaxed.
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High I:
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High S: We need their gift for expression, reassurance, and acceptance.
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High C: We need their gift for modeling how to enjoy life; and to be
encouraging in the face of discouragement.
We enjoy having a positive influence and encouraging others.
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What High I’s Say About Themselves:
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High I:
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High I/D: “Let’s have time for fun. Let me dream without being criticized.”
“Give me the opportunity to express my own ideas.”
“I need opportunities to interact and influence other people.”
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High I/C: “Understand that part of me wants to be with people and have a
good time, while the other half of me want some quiet moments.”
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High I/S: “I need a friendly environment to operate at my best. It helps to know
that others appreciate my efforts.”
“Accept me when I fail and encourage me to keep trying.”
“You can be straight with me, but I have to know you accept me.”
“I know I need structure and order, but I also need to know that what
you want me to do will be enjoyable.”
How To Respond To A High I Under Stress:
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High I:
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High I/D: “If I am dealing with people problems, listen to my emotions, but
do not judge me for them.
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High I/C: “Listen to me, but do not try to solve my problem until I am ready.”
“Sometimes I need time to be alone, but do not interpret that to mean
that I am rejecting you.”
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High I/S: “I need reassurance that I am OK and sometimes it can be nonverbal
like a smile, wink or hug.
“Do not criticize the things I do wrong in front of others, but reaffirm my
value and capabilities. Later, I can better handle my errors in a
private conversation.”
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Under stress they want to be heard, but they do not necessarily want the problem
fixed.
When they are under stress, never ask a confrontational question that requires
an answer.
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“Listen to me, empathize with me, help me see and focus my
thoughts.
Rev. 10/2006 by Dr. Richard Carr
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