Allison Mooney Pressing the Right Buttons©.........
We are different. All of us are very different!
You like to sit and think - but your partner likes to talk, non-stop. Your daughter must have everything neat’n’tidy –
but her brother couldn’t care less. You’re a born get-up-and-goer but you're married to someone who has never got
up and gone anywhere without being pushed. Why?
You declare in frustration that you’re opposites, that you’re like chalk and cheese and that you just can’t figure it out!
And this is just home, what about our workplaces? We hire great talent only to discover how difficult they work with
others.
Could it be something about how we're wired? I think so. Hippocrates knew we were all different, pre-packaged with a
particular frame of reference. Personalities are formed in our DNA. Knowing who we are and who others are, helps us
to relate to them according to their worldview.
The Four Primary Personalities: Playful desire - FUN
Precise desire - Get it right
Peaceful desire - no conflict
Powerful desire - now!
Most often a blend of two, but operate primarily from one. “No one is better – just different”. This is not about
categorisation of people, yet a business tool to help us relate more effectively.
How to identify each type:
Playful Loud - extrovert, relationally strong, stylish, demonstrative, social
Precise Quiet - assessing, poise, behaved, classic, self-contained and procedurally strong
Peaceful Relaxed - listens, no real clothing style other than comfort, not impacted by externals, therefore internally
strong
Powerful Active - externally strong, decisive, adventurous and rises to challenges.
Four personalities identified - so now what? Well each type has different emotional needs. Yes we filter most of our
decisions through this tank. If we adapt our style to the style of those we speak to, it will be easier on our
relationships.
Needs
Playful needs Attention, Affection, Approval, Acceptance
Precise needs Space, Silence, Sensitivity, Support
Peaceful needs Credit for what they do appreciation for all that they have done and Loyalty from others.
In observing a disruption at an airport, an airline staff member used this tool. After the delayed announcement, the
Playful spoke loud enough to be heard across the lounge “Lady, can you please open the bar!” She was ready to make
new friends and maximise her time by enjoying the moment – the bar opened!
The Powerful types were up at the service desk within seconds, invading the staff member’s personal space,
demanding more updates NOW! The staff member let them know what she could do for them and arranged a
conference call so they could still be involved in the proposed meetings for the day.
The Precise waited patiently and opened his laptop to check, the weather, diary and logistics on how things could
work now that there was change. He was ushered into a quiet meeting room where he could work away until they had
an update.
Now the Peaceful (who don’t like confrontation) just waited and the airline staff expressed how much she appreciated
his patience and willingness to wait - then explained what was to happen next. Peacefuls want to be known as the
human being. It’s the Powerful that want to be known as the human machine.
It’s important to have this understanding to get closer with our families at home and be more effective and productive
with those whom we work with, Most importantly, respect those who look at things differently. We all have strengths;
yet let us embrace the diversity. Go try it.....it really works.
Allison Mooney CSP. Her service reputation built from being a former senior
manager overseeing New Zealand’s Ansett and Qantas First and Business
Class Lounges. Three times voted New Zealand Speaker of the Year, her book
Pressing the Right Buttons© has sold over 20,000 copies internationally.
[email protected] | http://www.allisonmooney.co.nz |+27 260 8532 or
+64 094 736 783