In nature, there exists a
hierarchy, where everyone has a job to do. Sure, it's great to be the queen
bee, but her leadership role would be meaningless without her team of worker
bees. Humans are no different, of course. How boring would it be if we were all
alike? Unique interests and abilities couple with individual strengths to help
society work as a whole. Not everyone is destined to rule, to change the world.
Some of us are. They are the Guardians.
Guardians are the cornerstone of
society. Practical, disciplined and trustworthy, these personality types keep
things running smoothly. School superintendents, hospital administrators—people
whom we entrust with our lives and the lives of people we love. Managers by
nature, Guardians will confidently take charge, and make stable, deliberate
leaders; mavericks they are not. Possessing a strict sense of right and wrong
(Mother Teresa and Harry S. Truman were Guardian temperaments) they respect
authority, value teamwork and appreciate time-honored customs and traditions.
Are you a Guardian?
In personal relationships, the
cooperative, dependable Guardian makes a great mentor and a loyal friend. He
might not be up for skydiving lessons, but will plan your college reunion with
military precision. A Guardian will take the lead in romantic relationships.
Social by nature, the meticulous Guardian will plan your dates to the last
detail. As leader of his family, a Guardian temperament provides stability for
his loved ones. He can be counted on to respect and nurture family customs and
traditions.
In their careers, Guardians work
within the system, relying on discipline, loyalty and teamwork to achieve long
term success. They know that change is inevitable and healthy for society, so
that we can evolve and grow. They make organized, confident team leaders, and
loyal employees. But change doesn't always come easily on the Guardian's
straight and narrow path to self awareness; a cautious nature compels them to
look before they leap.
Making up as much as 45 percent
of the population, there are four types of Guardian temperaments. The
dependable Inspector, who upholds laws and standards, and has little patience
for slackers. In personal relationships, Inspectors are highly sociable,
preferring community and family-oriented activities. Practical and
down-to-earth, a conservative style is reflected in orderly homes and classic
wardrobes. An Inspector personality will eschew the latest trend, preferring
the familiarity of customs and traditions. England's Queen Elizabeth II and
Warren Buffet are quintessential Guardian Inspectors. The Supervisor is
community-minded, often holding a position of responsibility within civic clubs
and service associations. They keep their feet firmly planted and set high
expectations for coworkers, friends and loved ones. Traditional roles, such as
marriage and parenthood, are sacred to them. No surprise, then, that George
Washington, the father of our country, was a Guardian Supervisor. The Provider
is super organized; a social secretary, whose tireless generosity and
gregarious nature are always in demand for fund-raising charity functions.
Someone with this temperament will be adept at inspiring loyalty and teamwork
and putting their guests at ease. Former First Lady Dolly Madison and
journalist Barbara Walters are Guardian Providers. The Protectors, as their
name suggests, consider the well-being of family their primary concern. They
believe in the sanctity of titles and social ranking, respecting established
traditions and mores. Mother Teresa and former President George H.W. Bush are
examples of Guardian Providers.
This article is second in a
series designed as a guide on the path to self awareness. Based on extensive
research, the keys to our nature and unique personalities are found in understanding
four basic temperaments: Guardian, Artisan, Idealist and Rational. Coming up
next: The Artisan personality.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: David M.
Keirsey, PhD is an Educational Psychologist specializing in human behavior; his
lifelong work focuses on four distinct patterns of behavior woven throughout
history. The subject of two international bestsellers, The Keirsey Temperament
Theory has been used to train educators, psychologists, a number of Fortune 500
companies and even the U.S. military.
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