"Sorry, I thought we were scheduled for next week," the text read. "I'm not feeling well. Can you come back in a few hours?"
It was already 30 minutes into our appointment -- a meeting I'd structured my entire day around. After giving the decision some thought, I replied, "I'll see you next week. Take good care. I hope you feel better soon."
An hour later I was still irritated by the disruption to my schedule -- and even more irritated that I was still irritated!
I asked myself: Why is this bugging me so much?
The answer was clear immediately. "Wasted time" is a huge trigger for me. This type of inconvenience bothers me far more than it does most people? Why? Because it's hard-wired for my personality type.
Recalling this helped me stopped judging my irritation and be compassionate with myself. I started actively coping -- instead of trying to distract myself from the frustration -- and the irritation started to fade.
Personality assessments illicit a hot /cold response. Some love them: "Tell me all the great things about my type!" Some think they're a waste of time. "Don't try to put me in a box!"
I understand the reservations. I was a skeptic myself. That's why I like the 5 Voices.
Personality tools can help us understand ourselves and others -- strengths, challenges, triggers, stress responses -- in objective, non-judgmental ways. This can enhance our emotional intelligence (self-awareness and self-management) as well as our relational intelligence (other-awareness / understanding others and relationship management).
With the 5 Voices, we consider not only what is your "Foundational Voice" but also your Voice order -- the degree to which you can access all 5 Voices.
Voice order really matters. Someone whose Voice order starts: Guardian Pioneer Nurturer, for example, has notable differences to someone else, whose Voice order starts: Guardian Connector Pioneer.
We are influenced by nature (our "hard-wiring," which is with us from birth), nurture (the influence of others), and choice (our lifelong ability to learn and grow).
We all have a personality. We are all unique. No one belongs in a box. When used as a tool -- not an assumption -- personality frameworks can help us better understand, appreciate, and have effective relationships with people different from us.
Over the next few posts, I'll introduce you to the 5 Voices. Even if you're a personality skeptic, like I was, I encourage you to read and consider how this framework might help you know yourself and understand others better.
Why wait?
- All 5 Voices summaries are available now!
Want to discover your Voice?
- Take the 5 Voices self assessment.
- Basic report is free.
- Pro results are only $24.95.
