Behind the Scenes at Global-Roam

Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence

Please Understand Me II is the most fascinating look at interpersonal relationships that I have ever read.  It deals with a plethora of issues ranging from parent/child relationships to marriage, and does so in a way that is both understandable and enjoyable to read.  From a business perspective, the book deals with two key areas that every company should be aware of – intelligence and leadership.  The primary focus of Keirsey’s book is the four temperaments - the Artisan, Guardian, Idealist and Rational.  In it he explores how these temperaments have been described through history (as far back as two thousand years or more) by various authors and expanding on what the temperaments are and how they interact with each other as partners, parents, children, leaders and subordinates.  Most importantly, Keirsey discusses intelligence in great detail.

Intelligence is something that is ill-defined by the majority of society.  It deals with an abstract concept that has to do with the potential of the mind to achieve certain goals.  What Please Understand Me II did for me was identify something that I had already known was true, but had never been articulated so well before – there are different types of intelligence.  In fact there are four types of intelligence, and all four are displayed in differing quantities by the different temperaments.  These differing intelligences also help define the leadership styles of each temperament.

The Artisan is the first of the temperaments that Keirsey looks at.  They are so called because of their tendency to be very good at using their bodies, tools and their environment to create.    Artisans have intelligence that is primarily tactical in nature.  Tactical intelligence is very concrete and immediate in nature and as such is highly visible.  This makes Artisan types very adept at solving short term problems or “putting out fires”.  Keirsey goes on to explain that if an Artisan is bored they may even create problems to solve.  All of this makes Artisans very flexible, good at negotiation and troubleshooting and extremely useful when things need to be done now.  What Artisans are not adept at is long term strategy or high level conceptual design.  In fact anything abstract in nature is not the natural playground of the Artisan.  Famous Artisans include Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Erwin Rommel and Robert E. Lee.

The complement of the Artisan is the Guardian.  Guardians also have an intelligence grounded in reality, but which differs from the Artisan by being focussed on order – or as Keirsey puts it, their intellectual strength is in logistics.  The title Keirsey gives to Guardians is so given because they are the defenders of society.  Upholding that which is traditional, the Guardian type loves structures and rules.  Ensuring that things are ordered and timely is the forte of the Guardian.  The Guardian also enjoys working with rules and regulations and leads in such a manner.  They are good stabilisers and consolidators and are generally no-nonsense people.  Famous guardians include Richard Nixon, Elizabeth I and George Washington.

The abstract-thinking Idealist primarily uses diplomatic intelligence.  Idealists believe in people and love to work with and bring out the best in people.  Abstract and cooperative in nature, Idealists tend to enjoy supporting others.  They tend to be committed to the people that they lead and have a charismatic style of leadership.  Idealists may act as catalysts in an organisation, finding and exploiting the strengths of other individuals.  Very few world leaders have been idealists as Idealists tend to work through other people.  Some famous Idealist leaders are Joan of Arc, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.  President Obama is the first Idealist US President.

The final type is the strategic thinking Rational.  This type thinks in abstract terms like the Idealist, but is focused on tools and objects instead of people.  They achieved their moniker by being the personality type most dedicated to logic and reason.  Rationals are adept at high level strategic thought.  Very good at seeing the big picture, the Rational may appear to have their heads in the clouds sometimes.  Their skills are focused around high level technical abstractions, which makes them great at designing new systems or planning complex strategies.  Pragmatic and skeptical Rationals are often found working as engineers.  Famous Rationals include Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower.

I gleaned so much important information from reading this book; Keirsey’s descriptions of parent-child and mating relationships were devastatingly accurate – and made for some hilarious reading to my family as we identified our own types.  Yet even more interesting than this was the understanding of intelligence types and how they interact with each other.  For example, previously I may have dismissed Artisan types as reckless, irresponsible and of no worth to a company.  It is clear after reading Please Understand Me II that Artisans can be of tremendous value to a company that uses their strength – their tactical thinking.  Likewise, a mix of personality types will likely bring the best results for a company.

Overall there is so much wisdom and understanding to be gained in this book that I believe it is a recommended read for practically anyone.  The beauty of this book is that once you have determined your temperament you can use this book as more of a reference manual for relationships with others.  I know it has helped me, and that is the highest praise I can give it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am and is filed under Book Review, Company Roles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.