Self Esteem and Behavioral Style

What is it about some behavior that just sets you off?  Who really listens to you and gives you recognition?  How do you deal with challenging behaviors that friends or relatives display?  Why can’t people just let you be–so you can get things straight?  Do you ever find yourself frustrated and don’t know what is bothering you?

We can begin to understand behavioral styles in people using an instrument called the Personal Profile.  This profile is a self-administered, self- developing instrument.  It was created by Dr. John G. Geier as a result of studying the works of William Moulton Marston.

So what does behavioral style and self-esteem have to do with each other?  Research shows that self-esteem is the bottom line because self-esteem is the self-respect you feel for yourself.

We were all born with intact self-esteem and then it slowly erodes with comments like “You know better than that!”  “NO!”  “Stupid,” etc.  As a result of these and similar nibbles, we gradually began looking toward others for recognition and approval.  We let others decide what our needs were and how to meet them.

We developed a self-image that is different from self-esteem.  Self-image is an imitation or representation of a person.  It is what we would like to project to the world.  Self-image kills our self-esteem!

When we got out on our own, we felt insecure and may have had issues with decision-making.  We did not have a clue about our needs and how to satisfy them.  We discover that some old behaviors did not work, however, were at a loss for what to do.

When you take the Personal Profile, you will discover:

1.      Your behavioral style and pattern
2.      How you naturally meet your needs
3.      What styles conflict with yours?
4.      What styles blend with your style?
5.      How you can adjust to blend your style and have elegant, exquisite, irresistible outcomes in your relationships and career.

There are basically four behavioral styles — with millions of combinations.  These styles are types of energies that combine in different ways to create your unique pattern.

•   Dominant
•   Influencing
•   Steady
•   Conscientious

Dominant behavior in a person presents as someone who likes to be in control of the situation.  They are fast-paced, want only the facts, like challenges, interested in results, are forceful and task oriented.  This style fears being taken advantage of. 

If you tell a person with dominant behavior that they did a great job, they say, “What else is new.”  If they come home and the furniture has been moved they respond, “It’s about time that furniture was moved.”

The influencing behavior in people is fast-paced, expressive, emotional, fun loving, spontaneous, optimistic, enthusiastic, and loves to be with people.  This type of person fears loss of social approval.

If you tell a person with Influencing behavior they did a great job they say, “Let me tell you all about it.”  Then you listen for a long time.  If they come home and the furniture has been moved, they don’t even notice.

Steady behavior shows up in individuals whose pace is slower.  They are relaxed, security oriented, family oriented, accommodating, patient, dislike conflict, and predictable.  They have a system.  The greatest fear for this type of person is the loss of security.

If you tell a person with steady behavior they did a great job, they say, “Where is the promotion and where is the raise?”  If they come home from work and the furniture has been moved they want to know if this was the agreed upon time to move the furniture.

The conscientious behavior appears in those who are slower in pace.  They are accurate, private, reserved, like details, need many explanations, and like to contemplate.  These people fear criticism of their work. 

If you tell a person with conscientious behavior they did a great job, they look at you and inside say, “I don’t’ know if I trust you — you don’t know the details.”  If they come home from work and the furniture has been moved they say, “Who moved the furniture?”

As you review these behavioral styles, keep in mind you are dealing with needs.  How do you naturally meet your needs — especially when you are under pressure?  You are a combination of all four styles, however, one is more prevalent then the other three.

Each style reacts differently under distress depending on their self-esteem.  With intact self-esteem, a person is able to stretch into the appropriate behavioral style needed — based on the situation.

Self-esteem is the self-respect a person feels for him/herself.  When you really know your needs, you can appropriately meet those needs.  When your self-esteem is intact, decisions are easy.  You have more choices and you become more flexible with your responses.

The Personal Profile instruments are available at the McGrane Global Centers.  You can obtain a computer printout of approximately 15 pages on your specific pattern.  To learn more about Bill McGrane and his life transforming seminars Making It Happen and Move Into Your greatness, motivational speeches, coaching and products, to help you believe in yourself, live with balance and bring others into their greatness please visit our web site at www.mcgrane.com or contact us at 859-384-6333 or email us at mcgrane@mcgrane.com