The Four temperaments theory that suggests that there are four fundamental personality types:
Sanguine (enthusiastic, active and social)
Choleric (short-tempered, fast or irritable)
Melancholic (analytical, wise and quiet)
Phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful)
Most formulations include the possibility of mixtures of the types.
Understanding your type is the start of an important journey – well it was for me. My journey saw me feel a failure because I wasn’t a completer/finisher. When I understood my type, I no longer saw this as a failure, I started looking at why? Why because I am a visionary, I have lots of ideas. These ideas encourage me in new directions.
Here is a list of the types and their strengths and weaknesses. Hope it is useful.
Sanguine
Strengths
Sociable
Charismatic
Outgoing
Confident
Warm-hearted
Pleasant
Lively
Optimistic
A fun lover
Spontaneous
A preventer of dull moments
A quick apologiser
An easy friend maker
Weaknesses
Impulsive
Chronically late
Shameless
Forgetful
A compulsive talker
Too loud
Sometimes too happy
Distracted
Not interested in following through with tasks that are boring
Self-absorbed
An exaggerator
Someone who appears unauthentic
Melancholic
Strengths
Thoughtful
Considerate
Cautious
Organised
Excessive planner
Schedule orientated
Detailed
Highly creative
Independent
Good at preventing problems
Weaknesses
Obsessive
Too cautious
Prone to depression
Prone to moodiness
Perfectionistic
Pessimistic
Difficult to please
Deeply affected by tragedy
A person with tunnel vision
Procrastinator
Discontent with themselves and others
Prone to play the martyr
Phlegmatic
Strengths
Relaxed
Quiet and calm
Content with themselves
Kind
Consistent
A steady and faithful friend
Accepting
Affectionate
Diplomatic
Peacemaking
Rational
Curious
Observant
An easy friend maker
Weaknesses
Sometimes shy
Fearful of change
Prone to laziness
Stubborn
Passive-aggressive
Indecisive
Permissive
Not goal orientated
Unenthusiastic
Too compromising
Undisciplined
Sarcastic
Discouraging
Non-participative
Choleric
Strengths
Ambitious
Passionate
Leader-like
Focused
Efficient
Practical
Good at planning
Good at problem solving
Confident
Motivating
A delegator
Usually right
Great in an emergency
Weaknesses
Aggressive
Domineering
Inflexible
Impatient
Rude and tactless
Argumentative
Unable to relax
Uncomfortable around emotion
Low on empathy
Discouraged by failures
Too busy for people
Intolerant
A leader who demands loyalty