Personalities in the Workplace: Learning How to Love 'Em!

 

Our expectations of others often get us into trouble!  Our May speaker, Anita Lee, laughingly told us one of her own early expectations:  “I assumed that just because my husband was married to ME, he would want to make me the center of his attention.”  What a shock it can be when we find out those expectations were unrealistic!!

 

Anita is a certified personality trainer through CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Seminars), and delighted us recently with her humorous, yet thought provoking look at the different personality types.  We each come into this world wired a certain way, and while no one way is better than another, it can be challenging to learn how to relate to one another when our wires get crossed! 

 

First it helps to recognize which type you are:

 

Sanguine:  Fun loving, approval seeker, loves attention; doesn’t care too much about details
Choleric:  Task-oriented; natural leader; always right (really!); a little demanding
Melancholy:  Detail-oriented, organized; sensitive, needs a little silence now and then
Phlegmatic:  Loves a peaceful existence; easy-going—goes with the flow

 

The amazing thing to discover is that God perfectly created us, with our unique personalities, to blend harmoniously with each other. In Jeremiah 29:11 God said “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  As Christians we are to surrender our lives to Christ.  Then the Holy Spirit becomes our guide and helps us to relate to those He has put in our path.

 

You are right where God can use you.  Whether it’s with a difficult boss, an overbearing neighbor, strong-willed kids or a laid back spouse, you have an opportunity to love, bless and let your light shine. 

 

Here’s how to get started:

 

Identify that person in your life with whose personality you sometimes “clash”.
Admit your struggle to God and ask for His help.
Look for the positive qualities in that person’s personality.
Find a way to show unconditional love and understanding to that person today!