A Discussion on Temperament

The meeting was attended by 9 WA Type Talkers and was very successful in getting some lively discussion on temperament.

The evening started with Helen Carter giving some background to the group and upcoming events. The next meeting will have a guest speaker.

Helen talked about AusAPT and although it is not essential for members of the WA Talking Type Group to be members there are some great benefits, such as workshops that are only available to members, such as the upcoming revision workshop on cognitive processes, members only teleconferences and the bi-monthly journals. Helen also mentioned that next year there will be a Symposium in Sydney.

Members were again encouraged to register to the WA Talking Type Blog to get information on upcoming events. http://talkingtype.blogspot.com/

The group discussed the running of the WA Talking Type Group. Helen Carter is the President, Helen Allison the Treasurer, Deanna Heal volunteered to be responsible for marketing and Rhondda, Grainne and André are the synergy group responsible for organising agenda items. There will be a meeting following the next group meeting to discuss how the group will operate.

The group took turns in introducing themselves and their best experience and there was a marked difference in the way that the different types presented their event and the way they visualised it and brought it to reality for those around them; a mixture of abstract and concrete language.

The discussion took the form of a panel which was made up of Pat (NF – Catalyst) Valentina (SJ – Stabiliser) Rhondda (NT – Theorist) Helen Allison (SP – Improvisor).

Helen placed 3 objects on the table in front of the panel: a pashmena, mobile phone and coffee cup. Each of the temperaments was asked to tell the group about them. There was a lively discussion as regards the connections made and language used to describe the 3 objects. The Theorist used very precise language, compared for example, with the Catalyst who saw a connection to relationships and people and described the objects in a very colourful and abstract way.

They were then given a scenario where the panellists were asked how they might react to the given situation – again the temperaments showed themselves in the core values and needs of each of the temperament types.

There was also discussion about books that members have found interesting. Some had read and used You've Got Personality for facilitation of workshops and Scott and Grainne talked about the older, yet still popular book, Please Understand Me by David Kiersey.

The group started to discuss a logo for the group and what is should represent. The catalysts amongst us felt that it should be meaningful and symbolic of who we were and other types answered with “Who cares….it’s just a logo.”

The next meeting will be held on Saturday 15^th venue to be confirmed.