Temperament and Stress Survey Findings
Personality Lingo® Stress Survey reveals we are not so different, or are we?
Over a decade ago, Mary Miscisin, MS and Ed Redard, MD started with some simple questions:
- Do each of the personality styles experience, react to, and deal with stress differently?
- Are there distinctive patterns amongst the temperaments with regards to stress that would lead to useful tips, strategies, and applications?
These questions led to the development of the Personality Lingo® Temperament and Stress survey conducted online over a two-year period. Respondents already knew their personality style. The survey asked them a variety of questions regarding their stressors, how they stress, what helps and what makes things worse.
The Temperament and Stress Survey findings revealed stress patterns unique to each of the personality styles as well as stressors they all have in common.
Take a moment to consider some of the current stressors and frustrations in your life. Your day could be going along fine and then something happens to shift your mood over to the negative. It could be – the morning commute, things not put back where they belong, rudeness, negativity, computer glitches, budget cuts, or faulty process… Make a list of YOUR TOP THREE STRESSORS.
Top 3 Stressors?
Work Issues – Money Concerns – Relationships
In general, all four personality styles stress over work issues, money concerns, and relationships. However, each of the styles looks at these stressors from a different perspective.
Work Issues
“Work” shows up as a stressor in the survey responses across styles. Yet in the specifics they shared, patterns emerged that pointed back to their personality values. Movers struggled with bureaucracy, protocol and paperwork. Thinkers did not like working within arbitrary rules that block their progress or having to tolerate “stupid people”. Planners were challenged by trying to fulfill their work and family responsibilities to the sacrifice of their health and stress about others not pulling their own weight or following the rules. Connectors stressed over lack of cooperation, negative attitudes and people taking advantage of others.
Money Concerns
Every style mentioned money concerns. Although they all have this in common, their different personality perspectives reveal more in-depth nuances. Movers mentioned money challenges the most frequently and admitted they are prone to impulse buying. Connectors bring up lack of meaningful employment and feeling like a financial burden. Planners talked about “not making enough money, not being in control of finances and not being able to pay bills on time”. Thinkers rarely mentioned money, but when they did, they used one-word explanations such as: “finances” or “investments”.
Relationships
Across the personality styles, relationships (personal as well as professional) were commonly listed as top stressors. Connectors were concerned with finding their true love, helping others, and keeping everyone around them happy. Planners wanted to maintain structure, preserve their health and fulfill expectations in relationships. Thinkers found it trying to get along with people who do not “think outside the box” or those prone to emotional outbursts. Movers didn’t like feeling trapped by family obligations, catering to in-laws, and not having the freedom to do what they want when they want, with whom they want!
Some of the Temperament and Stress Survey responses were profoundly distinct.
Connectors place a high value on relationships. Often times their stressors centered around feeling disconnected, rejected, isolated or left out. Other major frustrations are conflict, negativity, and not being able to express their “true” selves.
Planners like to be prepared. Situations that threaten their sense of stability or consistency are stressful. Disorganization, chaos, surprises and irresponsibility of others—such as lack of follow through or a change in direction are nerve-racking.
Thinkers are logical and crave competency. They can get exasperated by illogical decisions, emotional outbursts, and intellectual stagnation. They like time to think so urgent timelines or inadequate information can send them into analysis paralysis.
Movers are constantly on the go. They like to make decisions in the moment and act upon them instantly. Anything that slows them down is stressful. They crave adventure and change. Obligations and routine, following protocol, waiting, and lack of freedom are will zap their energy.
Now that you’ve been introduced to some of the similarities and differences in the stress patterns for the personality styles, look back at the list you wrote. Notice how the stressors you listed relate to your personality style. What values do you hold that these stressors are conflicting with? How can you align with your True North to point you in a more resourceful direction?
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These survey findings led to the development of a powerful training kit
Navigating Stress Training Kit
Turn obstacles into opportunities!
Learn More
Recognizing and Reducing Stress for the Styles
With the Navigating Stress Pro Training Kit, you’ll gain the tools to help individuals not only identify their stress triggers but also understand how their unique personality style influences their response. This kit provides engaging activities, in-depth resources, and powerful techniques to teach your team how to navigate stress effectively, fostering a more balanced and resilient workplace. Equip yourself with proven strategies to reduce tension and boost productivity by guiding your team through a transformative experience in stress management.
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