Four-type personality models are very popular for use in understanding others and
in improving communications between individuals. Many current tools contain a built-in
bias towards one style or the other in a work environment. The Multi-FormŽ Tendencies
Questionnaire uses a continuum-based approach that allows each style to be reliably
identified for a wide range of business activities.Contact
CooperComm for a sample of the Multi-FormŽ
Tendencies Questionnaire and the associated Leader Guide.
introduction
The Multi-FormŽ Tendencies Questionnaire (MTQ) is
designed to take a “quick pulse” of your behavioral strengths as you function
within three work-related areas – people interaction, project or task completion, and
decision-making. Our research showed that the profile of choice in the field of industrial
psychology and human relations is based on some form of four temperament theory. Other
models exist which have been adapted to the world of work. We have found that the results
stand up in the real world and are consistent with others analyzing interpersonal
behavior.
The TIPC questionnaire is a tool for measuring your usual
behavioral tendencies in three work-related situations. What is your prevailing tendency
when dealing with:
1. People interaction
2. Project (task) completion
3. Decision-making
1. People interaction: People can use their best and most comfortable
communication behavioral style to strengthen their position in any situation.
2. Project (task) completion: Knowledge your own behavioral style can
give insight into how you respond to assignment of tasks and projects
3. Decision-making: Decisions impact strategic-planning and corporate
goals. Decision support tools (1 Journal of Systems Management, Vol 35, No 6), such as
information gathering and comprehensive analysis, are used to support a leader’s or
team’s decision-making. Typically, teams are organized to represent the different
departmental positions, for example, sales, marketing, design, research, administrative.
Yet, behavioral differences in arriving at a decision may be overlooked.
Definition of each category:
Transform – to change for the better or make an improvement.
Inform – to inspire and motivate and involve.
Perform – the skill or care in completing something by established
procedures.
Conform – comply or do what is proper; to act in accord or
agreement; sometimes the result of accommodation to established standards; act in
accordance with a command, request, rule or wish.
MTQ instrument
The Multi-FormŽ Tendencies Questionnaire is based on
classic four temperament theory. Hippocrates is credited as the first person to define
four contrasting styles of behavior. Writing his theory over 2000 years ago, he believed
each person had inborn temperaments causing a person to behave in a certain way. Through
the ages, the four-category model was adopted by German philosopher Emmanuel Kant, and
later still, by the German psychologist, W. Wundt.
In 1928, psychologist William B. Marston, advanced a theory of human behavior in his book,
Emotions of Normal People. He believed that human behavior is a function of the
environment. It is a learning process dependent on the reaction of others to an
individual’s efforts to establish his own personal, characteristic way of behaving.
Marston classified behavior into four clusters – Dominance, Inducement of others,
Steadiness, and Compliance. He further described these behaviors along two axes: Process
Oriented and Product Oriented.
Today, the four quadrant behavior styles continues to remain in prominent use as a tool
toward understanding and categorizing behavioral styles. Trainers rely on various
four-style behavioral tools for improving interpersonal communication, meeting skills,
team building; for conflict resolution, performance appraisals, and time management.
Multi-FormŽ four-style tendencies are:
Transform (Action)
Inform (Interest in people)
Perform (Results)
Conform (Correctness)
The work environment is divided into three main categories
(Interaction with people, project completion, and decision-making) and mapped these areas
of the work environment to our four styles. The respondent is able to compare
himself/herself within a consistent continuum.
Our investigation into the research of behavioral styles
evolved from Marston’s work. In particular, we worked to remove the “leaders
must be D-I” bias from existing measurement instruments. In addition, each trait is
measured as a continuum from “T” to “C”.
For example ... Category: Interacting with People
T
I P
C
Conflict:
fight
sell mediate
respect
Emotional state: positive
optimistic even
keel skeptical
By understanding Multi-FormŽ behavioral styles, individuals can increase their awareness
of their own prevailing behavioral style and be better equipped to spot the “tip-off
behaviors” of others. The MTQ provides a reliable indicator of people’s tendency
to behave in a certain way depending on the situation. The questionnaire is designed to
take a “quick pulse” of tendencies. The results can be used to increase
objectivity toward identifying productive ways of relating to others, working on projects
or tasks, and decision-making.
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