What Do You See?

What do you think of when you see this grid? Some people view this visual as a tool for understanding an individual’s personality. Some see a model they have seen before, possibly many times. Some just see four different colored boxes. For me, this is:

• A practical way to gain insights into every person I know or meet.
• A method to recognize what people want from me and when those expectations have changed.
• A way to identify what creates tensions within myself and others.
• A resource for improving teamwork dynamics.
• A framework for understanding how individuals approach tasks and relationships.
• A simple way to identify how to increase a sense of safety for others.
• A model to teach how to demonstrate emotional intelligence.
• A way to understand biases.
• An important aspect of diversity.
• A source of humor in everyday life.

However, I also recognize how it can be:

• An overly simplistic view of human complexity.
• A model that can confine people to categories.
• A perspective that limits and frustrates both self-awareness and understanding of others.

It’s essential to remember that this grid of two intersecting lines and four boxes is just a tool for learning. It doesn’t define who someone truly is because human personalities are too multifaceted and dynamic to fit neatly into this framework.

But when viewed through the lens of behavior, this model becomes a valuable, straightforward way to recognize and understand common patterns of behavior that transcend individual differences. It helps us understand preferences and tendencies but does not define who we are.

By adopting this perspective, we can uncover numerous practical ways to engage with others, fostering more productive interactions, cohesive teams, and fulfilling relationships.

George Myers

President