Using your personality
Empower yourself to be heard
Taking the Instrument
1. REFERENCE POINT. You must assess the relative value of the words in
each group using your SELF as a reference point; that is, who you are
deep down, NOT who you are at home, at work, at school or who you
would lie to be or feel you ought to be. The ‘REAL YOU’ must be the
REFERENCE POINT.
2. WORDS. The words used in the Gregorc Style Delineator matrix are
not parallel in construction nor are they all adjectives or all nouns. This
was done on purpose. Just read to the words as they are presented
3. RANK. Rank in order the ten sets of four words. Put a 4 in the space
above the word in each set which is the best and most powerful
descriptor of your SELF. Put a 3 to the word which is the next most like
you, a 2 to the next, and a 1 to the word which is least descriptive of
your self. Each word in a set must have a ranking of 4, 3, 2, or 1. No two
words in a set can have the same rank.
Taking the Instrument
• 4. REACT. To rank the words in a set, react to your
first impressions. There are no right or wrong answers.
The real, deep-down you is best revealed through a
first impression. Go with it. Analyzing each group will
obscure the qualities of SELF sought by the Delineator.
• 5. PROCEED. Continue to rank all ten vertical columns
or words, one set at a time.
• 6. TIME. Recommended time for word ranking is 4
minutes.
• 7. SCORING. To score, first add the numbers across.
Then add the numbers down.
Instrument Used
• There are many different personality
instruments in use
• I chose to use the Gregorc Style Delineator
– Developed by Dr. Anthony Gregorc
– Similar to Kolb’s and Jung’s work
• Is this “who I am?” – no – just one piece of a
multifaceted puzzle
Example
The Instrument
• Two Mediation Styles
– Perception and Ordering
• Perception – Perceptual abilities are how you
grasp information
– Abstract and Concrete
• Ordering – The ways in which you
authoritatively arrange, synthesize reference
and dispose information.
– Sequence and Randomness
The Instrument
• Abstractness
– Grasp, conceive, and mentally visualize data through
the faculty of reason and to emotionally and
intuitively register and deal with inner and subjective
experiences. You can apprehend and perceive that
which is invisible and formless to physical senses.
• Concreteness
– Grasp and mentally register data through the direct
use of the physical senses. You can apprehend that
which is visible in the concrete physical world through
your physical senses.
The Instrument
• Sequence
– You grasp and organize information in a linear,
step-by-step, methodical, predetermined order.
– Information is assembled by gathering and linking
elements of data and piecing them together in a
chain-like fashion.
– Naturally sequence, arrange and categorize
discrete pieces of information.
– Express yourself in a precise, progressive and
logically systematic manner.
The Instrument
• Randomness
– You grasp information in a nonlinear, galloping, leaping and
multifarious manner.
– Large chunks of data can be imprinted on your mind in a
fraction of a second.
– Information is also held in abeyance and, at any given
time, each chunk has equal opportunity of receiving your
attention. This may not adhere to any prior or previously
agreed upon arrangement.
– You can deal with numerous, diverse and independent
elements of information and activities. Multiplex patterns
of data can be processed simultaneously and holistically.
You express yourself in an active, multifaceted and
unconventional manner.
The Instrument
• Channels
– Concrete/Sequential CS
– Abstract/Sequential AS
– Abstract/Random AR
– Concrete/Random CR
Channels
• Concrete – Sequential: systematic
– Evaluative words – Good, not bad; rarely compliments
• Abstract – Sequential: research
– Evaluative words – Excellent; few compliments
• Abstract – Random: absorption
– Evaluative words – Super, fantastic; many compliments
• Concrete – Random: instinctual
– Evaluative words – Great, Superior; Some compliments
MBTI-Gregorc
• Harasym, PH et al (1996) found a strong
relationship between Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator and Gregorc Style Delineator:
• CS exhibited sensing and judging traits
• CR exhibited intuition and perceiving traits
• AS exhibited thinking (vs feeling) traits
• AR exhibited feeling traits
Temperaments
• Concrete-Sequential (= xSTx)
– Organized, stable, productive, perfectionist
• Abstract-Sequential (= xNTx)
– Precise, conceptual, visionary, opinionated
• Abstract-Random (= xNFx)
– Spontaneous, adaptable, social, perceptive "
• Concrete-Random (= xSFx)
– Curious, hands-on, impulsive, impatient
Me
15
26
26
33
CS
AS AR
CR
Concrete Sequential Characteristics
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Needs and enjoys structured situations.
Likes to work with hands-on projects.
Likes things to be ordered and arranged in specific ways.
Likes clear and definite directions.
Is always "busy", looking for constructive things to do, can’t
sit still for long.
Is a natural organizer.
Prefers to do things step by step; Follows directions.
Is a natural editor, can take anything and make it better.
Has a great fear of being wrong.
Concrete Sequentials Prefer
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Order and quiet
Exact directions
Guided Practice
Know the accepted way of doing something
Can apply ideas in a practical, hands-on way
Are given approval for specific work done
Concrete Sequentials dislike
• Making choices
• Open ended assignments and "what if"
questions
• Dealing with opposing views
• Taking new approaches
• Interpreting abstract ideas
• Seeing the forest
Concrete Sequentials as team members
• Want: clear cut mandates, objectives,
timelines, leaders to lead and action to be
taken. No surprises, start and end meetings on
time. Written agendas
• Contribute: Grounded down to earth
suggestions Paying attention to details and
watch the bottom line
• Can irritate others by: focusing on details,
being binary, do not get innuendos, tend to be
serious
Concrete Sequentials as team
leaders
• Elaborate: Selecting, procuring, maintaining,
regulating, evaluating and manipulating
people and things for the organizations
purposes
• Effective: Appreciate and utilize their instincts
for survival
• Harm: Fail to recognize the vision, employing
unqualified people, creating busy-work
Concrete Sequential Sense of Time
• views time as consisting of discrete units which are
divided into periods of an immediate past, the
present, and an immediate future.
• Events that will occur in the future are, to the CS,
predicted and anticipated as "natural" results and
outgrowths of past and present conditions and
activities.
• The CS is a firm believer that the key to the future is
in the hands of present behavior and actions.
Concrete Sequential Relationships
• Want: honor patience, perfectionism, honesty
and hard work
• Contribute: grounded, practical “down to
earth orientation to life
• Approach: conservatively to avoid mistakes
• Stress: domineering, opinionated, neg, critical,
controlling and possessive
Abstract Sequential Characteristics
• Reads avidly for information and ideas logically
presented.
• Needs a quiet environment to think and work.
• Likes to debate about ideas and controversial
issues.
• Likes to learn just to learn - self-directed.
• Gathers information and analyzes ideas.
• Strives for intellectual recognition.
• Thinks in a structured, logical and organized way.
• Fears appearing foolish or uninformed.
Abstract Sequentials Prefer
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Lecture and reading
Follow traditional procedures
Work alone
Research
Logical explanations
Are respected for intellectual ability
Abstract Sequentials dislike
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Expressing emotions
Working cooperatively in groups
Writing creatively
Taking risks or facing the unpredictable
Open ended problems
Placing grades in perspective…reducing
perfectionism
Abstract Sequentials as team
members
• Want: opportunities to talk, all sides of an
issue debated, agenda and support material
supplied early
• Contribute: Offering philosophical
suggestions, provide research based
recommendations and solutions
• Irritate others by: arrogant, aloof, credential
conscious, out of touch with reality, sarcasm
Abstract Sequentials as team leaders
• Elaborate: Shaping and sculpting the vision
into models, paradigms and plans;
establishing codes of conduct; the voice of
reason
• Effective: Share the vision through competent
communications, provide probable futures for
the organization
• Harm: Fail to effectively communicate the
organization’s purpose, implementing halfbaked ideas
Abstract Sequential sense of Time
• Abstract Sequential views time in terms of the
present, an historical past, and a long-range
projected future.
• Scope and sequence are concerns. Future events are
projected and predicted by using history as a
foundation and building ill standard arithmetic and
geometric progression contingencies.
• In essence, the Abstract Sequential sees "now" as a
synthesized result of the past. Tomorrow will reflect
today plus the cumulative past plus the effects of
trends.
Abstract Sequential Relationships
• Want: demand clear, reflective and logical
thinking
• Contribute: providing lofty, ivory-tower,
objective, intellectual orientation to life
• Approach: intellectually for a meeting of
minds
• Stress: being opinionated, argumentative,
arrogant and sarcastic
Abstract Random Characteristics
• Dislikes routine procedures and orderliness.
• Is extremely sensitive to his/her own and others’
feelings.
• Is flexible, accepting and responds easily to change.
• Learns well through discussion and sharing of ideas.
• Is imaginative.
• Personalizes information.
• Is usually involved in many projects or interest at one
time.
• Is focused on friends and relationships.
• Has a fear of not being liked.
Abstract Randoms prefer
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Cooperative work
Assignments with room for interpretation
Balance of social activities and work
Noncompetitive atmosphere
Personalized learning
Are given personal attention and emotional
support
Abstract Randoms dislike
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Working alone
Attending to details and giving exact answers
Working within time limits
Concentrating on one task at a time
Being corrected
Expecting less emotional response from
others
Abstract Randoms as team
members
• Want: acceptance for their ability to work with
their hearts, personal contact and phone calls
(not email or text), loose agendas
• Contribute: Identify how people will be
affected by the group’s decisions
• Irritate others by: failing to fulfill their
obligations and duties, thin skinned and do
not like criticism, hold grudges, wishy-washy
on standards
Abstract Randoms as team leaders
• Elaborate: Promote and affirm the vision,
making community and incorporating rituals
• Effective: Commit to helping the vision to
manifest, trust their gut feelings, develop
communication networks
• Harm: Lose sight and feel for the vision (lost in
relationships), withhold because they feel
demeaned
Abstract Random sense of Time
• The dominant Abstract Random views time as consisting of
"the moment."
• Does not like to use time to measure, locate, or restrict his
experiences.
• Since the past and present are merged into a oneness,
tomorrow can be significantly different-the characteristics of
"compounds" are not always predictable.
• The Abstract Random assumes that the future will take care of
itself. First day of the rest of my life
• holds the position that a single person or event can and does
make a significant difference.
Abstract Random Relationships
• Want: honor commitment, caring and family
• Contribute: encouraging visions of hope and
faith in self
• Approach: with an “urge to merge” and be a
part of something bigger than themselves
• Stress: falling victim to their mood swings and
emotional excesses
Concrete Random Characteristics
• Is highly curious.
• Finds out-of-the-ordinary answers to problems.
• Seems driven to say or do things in a way others have not; Is a risktaker.
• Likes to discover his/her own way of doing things; must test things for
self.
• Is extremely independent and competitive with self.
• Prefers to investigate and experiment; enjoys hands-on experimenting.
• Skips steps and details.
• Shows original creativity; has varied and unusual ideas.
• Has multiple projects going at once.
• Finds possibilities, creates change.
• Is notorious for not reading directions or instructions; Fears structure.
Concrete Randoms prefer
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Trial and error approach
Hands-on experiences
Brainstorming and open-ended activities
Produce real, but creative, products
Original and unique approaches to problem
solving
• Self-directed learning
Concrete Randoms dislike
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Pacing and meeting time limitations
Completing projects
Choosing one answer
Keeping detailed records
Prioritizing
Accepting others’ ideas without showing
another way
• Accepting when change is impossible
Concrete Randoms as team
members
• Want: opportunities to shine, invent new ways
to do things, meetings dedicated to results
• Contribute: Point out deception and lies,
holding other members accountable
• Irritate others by: quick reads of materials and
jumping to conclusions, going to extremes
best and worst cases
Concrete Randoms as team leaders
• Elaborate: Using insight to identify, clarify and
convey the vision; Inventing new ways and
means of putting the vision into action;
• Effective: feel free to create
• Harm: Substitute personal vision for the
organization’s vision, jumping ship
Concrete Random sense of Time
• The dominant Concrete Random's view of
time is the "now" which contains the sum
total of the past, the interactive present, and
the seed for the Future.
Concrete Random Relationships
• Want: “light their fire” and make them feel
vital and alive
• Contribute: Unique, inventive, flexible, and
original in their views
• Approach: assertively, aggressively,
enthusiastically and competitively
• Stress: having the conviction that they are
licensed to do as they please (I want what I
want when I want it)
Conclusion
• Am I the right type?
• Do I need to change?
• Why did we do this exercise?
Conclusion
• Yes, you are the right type
• No need to change (nor could you – the idea
of persona)
• To get a better sense (or a different sense) of
who you are – if you know yourself – you
know your strengths and weaknesses.
• If you can recognize the traits of others – use
this information to communicate better
Credits
• Information from the work of Dr. Anthony
Gregorc
• I am Dr. Don Knox
• knox@wbu.edu
• (806) 292-7021