Putting People First

Personality Profile – How to Work Together

This is a quick, fun and easy tool to get people talking about their different communication
styles. It is not a scientific tool, so don’t read too much into it. People can relate to it i.e.
“This is so me!”

The four different communication styles are not listed in any order. They are not good or
bad, right or wrong, they are just different. Once you understand your own communication
style and the styles of your coworker, you can work together just fine. You have to be
willing to monitor and adjust.

Some personalities are more difficult to work with than others. A University of Mississippi
study concluded: “90% of the reason people fail in business and industry is not because they
lack the skills or ability to do the job, it is because of who they are, their personality.”

Presented by: Bob Caldwell, Employee Development Specialist

City of Mesa

Specifically Designed for:

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 IDENTIFY YOUR BEHAVIOR AT WORK
For each of the following statements, read the four choices and circle the one that best describes you
at WORK. Then count the number of circled items in each column and write the totals at the bottom.

WHAT YOU TALK Results, what you Dreams & Feelings & Facts & figures
ABOUT want to achieve aspirations experiences
PACE OF SPEECH Very fast Fast Slower Moderate
APPEARANCE Designer clothes, Bold colors, trendy, Gentle, muted Conservative,
classy dresser, Informal colors, classic dresser,
Formal Casual Business-like
COMMUNICATION Direct, to the point Animated, Dreamy thoughts, Specific, concise
STYLE excitable casual
MOTIVATED BY Results Applause Approval Activity
THRIVE ON Pressure, change Stimulation, fun Togetherness, Accuracy,
support information
EXPRESSION OF Impatient Easily frustrated, Gentle Slow to anger
ANGER Aggressive can get explosive Get flustered Rational approach
WORK STYLE Intense, driven Likes freedom Easy going, Thorough,
Several tasks at Lots of people cooperative, attention to detail.
once interaction Willing to be of One thing at a time
service
WORK AREA Priorities Interesting things, Sentimental Lots of paperwork
Organized gadgets mementos & in piles
souvenirs
WORK PACE Works fast-a Faster, bore easily Rarely in a hurry Methodical
whirlwind Dislike pressure Steady stream of
Likes change work
DISLIKES Wasting time Reinventing the Confrontation Being wrong
wheel
GROUP ROLE Leader-need for Rapport builder- Peacemaker-need Information
control need for center of to feel included provider-need
attention focus & direction
WANTS My productivity My contribution My involvement My quality of work
APPRECIATION FOR
LIKE TO GET Power Recognition Approval Responsibility
REWARDED WITH
TOTAL

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

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 UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROFILE
To really simplify each style, we can look at one hallmark trait that sums up their entire personality.
There is also on main area that they need to improve.

Hallmark Traits of Each Profile

Values Needs to do more…
Panther Results Listening

Peacock Recognition Checking for appropriate behavior

Dolphin Security/Relationships Initiating

Owl Being Correct Declaring: Making the decision

The four different communication styles are not listed in any particular order. They are not good
or bad, right or wrong, they are just different. Here are some of the key components of your style.
Circle the traits from your style that best describe you.

Your Personal Style

Panther Peacock Dolphin Owl
action-oriented verbal patient diplomatic
decisive enthusiastic loyal a fact finder
problem solver convincing team player conventional
assertive emotional mature precise
aggressive optimistic gentle cautious
adventuresome animated emphatic deliberate
demanding charming trusting analytical
independent generous questioning logical

Each style has a certain number of high wants that strongly motivate them. These are wants that
each style greatly values. They may not make much sense or be important to you. You need to
recognize that they are very real important to the other styles.

High Wants
Panther Peacock Dolphin Owl
challenges social recognition guarantees high standards
power provide service security details
options to be with people quality control perfection
authority group activities appreciation tradition

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Checklist for Interacting With…

Panthers
Dos
• Be specific, clear, brief
• Provide alternative, choices
• Provide facts and figures
• Motivate by results and goals
• Support, maintain
• Depart graciously
• If you agree, support results
Don’ts
• Don’t ramble or waste their time
• Don’t forget or lose things
• Don’t leave cloudy issues
• Don’t convince by “personal” means
• Don’t direct or order
• Don’t do an “epilogue” bit
• If you disagree, don’t reinforce “I’m with you.”

Peacocks
Dos
♥ Leave time for socializing
♥ Talk about people and their goals
♥ Ask for their opinions
♥ Provide ideas
♥ Be fun-loving, stimulating, fast
♥ Plan dream times
♥ Provide testimonials from people
they see as prominent
Don’ts
♥ Don’t be curt or cold
♥ Don’t drive on facts and figures
♥ Don’t waste time being task-oriented
♥ Don’t have decisions hanging
♥ Don’t stick to the agenda too much
♥ Don’t legislate or muffle
♥ Don’t talk down to them

Dolphins
Dos Don’ts
 Break the ice  Don’t rush into business
 Show sincere interest in them  Don’t stick coldly to business
 Be nonthreatening  Don’t be demanding
 Ask “how” questions  Don’t debate about facts and figures
 Move casually  Don’t be abrupt or rapid
 Define clearly personal contributions  Don’t be vague
 Listen  Don’t force them to respond quickly

Owls
Dos Don’ts
1. Prepare in advance 1. Don’t be disorganized
2. Approach in a direct way 2. Don’t be casual
3. Take your time 3. Don’t dilly-dally
4. If you agree, follow through 4. Don’t provide personal incentives
5. Provide tangible, practical evidence 5. Don’t use someone’s opinions
6. Provide guarantees 6. Don’t use gimmicks
7. List pros and cons 7. Don’t rush decision-making

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 Unfortunately each style does not always “play” well with the other styles. Without even being
aware, we can cause lots of stress in the lives of others, simply because of who we are.

How Each Profile Creates Stress in Others

Panther Always in a hurry. Impatient with delays and requires people to do several things at once.
Intense!

Peacock Can be draining, verbose, emotional. Can use humor inappropriately.

Dolphin May slow down the group’s pace. Maybe unclear as to where they stand. Can be indecisive
in taking action.

Owl Will be intolerant of mistakes and often the slowest to give praise. Requires perfection.
May put off making a decision until absolutely certain.

There are several indicators and signs that each style will exhibit while under stress.

Profiles Under Stress

First Reaction Last Reaction
Panther Will take control and give orders Gives in

Peacock Attacks, lashes out at others Avoids

Dolphin Gives in Commands

Owl Avoids making decisions Attacks

and confrontations

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 The following chart shows the different approaches that each style. For example, Panthers are very
deliberate and direct, while Peacocks are direct and spontaneous.

Finally, we need to understand that each style complains and tries to resolve conflicts in different ways.

The Way They Complain The Ways To Resolve Ask Them…

Demanding
Focus on outcome. “What needs to
Panther “I don’t care what it
Give them choices get done?”
takes, just fix it.”

Judgmental
Identify what’s in it for
“So and so was wrong.” “Who did you talk
Peacock them, what will add to their
Makes a judgment about the to?”
status
situation

Apologetic Tell them you need their

“Why do you feel
Dolphin “Sorry to bother you, help. Emphasize they can
that way?”
can you help me?” count on you.

Objective Be prepared, be credible.

“How should I
Owl “The problem as I understand it Provide back ground
proceed?”
is…” information.

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 My Achilles Heel
To identify how I need to grow in order to relate to other people.
1. Look at the traits that apply to your profile
2. Select one or two traits you want to change (usually those traits which are taken to an
extreme could be your Achilles Heel)
3. Look at the following list and circle any relevant, specific suggestions on how you want to
improve. (Don’t be too hard on yourself).

Panther Peacock Dolphin Owl

Impatient Likes to work in a Slow pace Focuses on facts and
Be more patient unstructured way Avoid being too slow figures
Give myself a longer lead Be more organized Set deadlines Reduce reliance on facts
time Let others organize me Don’t get overwhelmed by alone
Be more tolerant of delays Pay more attention to pressure Use other information
Relax details Trust my intuition
Pressures others Comes on too strong Appears vague More task than people
Slow down Be careful not to Think before I speak oriented
Pressure others less intimidate others Organize my thoughts Develop relationships
Be sensitive to others’ Don’t steal too much of Avoid being judgmental
needs the limelight
Be aware of my own
limitations
Competitive spirit Reacts emotionally Gets personally involved Remains objective
Remember to be part of Avoid embellishments and Leave personal issues at Share my feelings
the team exaggerations home Avoid being aloof
Results will speak for Avoid being too dramatic Don’t get to close to co- Come to a decision quicker
themselves Take time before I react workers
Avoid being too State my case objectively Be more private
independent
Likes to be in control Interested in everything Keeps the peace Somewhat inflexible
Let others take control and everyone Don’t be afraid to take a Change plans and deadlines
Volunteer less Get down to business stand accordingly
Avoid playing power quicker Assert myself more Be less of a perfectionist
politics Try not to get overly Take the initiative Allows others to
involved with other people communicate in their own
way
Interrupts Talks a lot Sometimes doesn’t speak up Usually listens, but we
Let people complete their Don’t dominate the State my opinion – it’s would never know it
sentences conversation important Use nonverbal to show that
Take a breath before I Ask open-ended questions I am listening
respond of others Be more spontaneous
Sets many goals Goals may kill spontaneity Cautious about commitment Goals must be met on time
Limit the number of goals I Be spontaneous about to goals Goals and deadlines may
set means to reach goals Achieve goals with someone need to be changed
Focus on results Reach my goals by telling else Be flexible about my
others Take action quicker deadlines

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Action Plan

Does your profile seem accurate to you?

What is positive about your profile?

What are areas of opportunity for improvement?

Now that you understand that we all communicate differently, what will you have to do
more, better or differently to be an effective team communicator?

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