Personality Dimensions in Organizational Culture

People are an organization’s most valuable asset. After all, how would anything get done without people? While it’s true that AI has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, the workforce hasn’t yet been overthrown by an army of sentient machines. For now, at least, it’s people that make things happen. The job market has changed drastically, and priorities have shifted. A recent survey showed that the number one reason why people want to leave their current jobs has to do with company culture.

Organizational culture is the set of shared values, beliefs, and practices that define a workplace, while personality is the unique set of traits and characteristics that define an individual’s needs, wants, and behaviours. Whether you are in a position of leadership that can make decisions on how an organization’s culture unfolds, or you’re an employee looking for your best fit, it’s important to understand how each of the four personality dimensions thrive or struggle in certain organizational cultures.

CLSR founder, and director, Denise Hughes has long said that someone’s preference towards Introversion or Extraversion is the first thing you can tell about their personality. When thinking about workplace culture, this is the place to start. Extraverted personalities thrive in environments that are social and collaborative. They thrive in open-plan office spaces, or worksites that require consistent teamwork. They are energized by interaction, and do their best work when they can bounce their ideas off each other. On the other hand, Introverted personalities thrive in environments that are independent and reflective. They need space to work so they can stay focused and pay attention to the details. Introverts do their best work when they conceptualize, and create, on their own, then share their work with the workgroup. The four personality dimensions all have their own preferences for Introversion and Extraversion; how that looks will be different for each of them.

Authentic Blues tend to excel in supportive organizational cultures that emphasize collaboration, empathy, and harmony. They are often sensitive, empathetic, and caring, which can help them build strong relationships with coworkers and clients. In a supportive organizational culture, Authentic Blues can use their emotional intelligence to navigate conflicts and build a positive work environment.

Inquiring Greens tend to excel in competitive organizational cultures that emphasize innovation, risk-taking, and strategic thinking. They are often logical, rational, and analytical, which can help them excel in a culture that is future focused. In a competitive organizational culture, Inquiring Greens can use their strategic thinking skills to find new solutions and help the organization stay ahead of the competition.

Resourceful Oranges tend to thrive in dynamic organizational cultures that emphasize innovation, creativity, and adaptability. They are often, flexible, spontaneous, and go-with-the-flow, which can help them in dynamic environments. In a fast-paced organizational culture, Resourceful Oranges can use their comfort with uncertainty to respond quickly to changing circumstances.

Organized Golds tend to thrive in structured organizational cultures that emphasize efficiency, organization, and predictability. They are often decisive, organized, and goal-oriented, which can help them succeed in a culture with strong traditions. In a structured organizational culture, Organized Golds can use their planning and organizational skills to help the organization achieve its goals.

We humans are pretty complex, and understanding the relationship between personality type and organizational culture can help us find a workplace where we can thrive. By understanding our own personality, and the characteristics of different organizational cultures, we can make informed decisions about where to work and how to navigate the workplace. But just as important, individuals in leadership positions can use this knowledge to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees can use their unique strengths and skills to contribute to the success of the organization.

Valentine’s Day with Personality Dimensions

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and you don’t want to leave it until the last minute to get your special someone the perfect gift. While you can get some surprisingly nice flowers and chocolate from your local gas station, it may not be what your partner will appreciate the most. Whether you have been with them for decades or only a few months, having a little inside knowledge (of their personality) will help you find the perfect way to surprise them on the day.

You can easily say that Valentine’s Day was created for the Authentic Blues of the world. They are, after all, Hallmark’s best customers. Authentic Blues are known for wearing their hearts on their sleeves, and showing great concern for the emotions of others. They like to know that other people care about them as much as they care for others. Authentic Blues tend to be sincere creative types; when choosing a gift, remember it really is the thought the counts. So break out those pencil crayons and put some effort into making a card instead of buying one.

More than anything, Authentic Blues want to know that you are thinking about them. Consider something the two of you can do together. While a picnic in the park followed by a long walk on the beach may be a little out of the question for the Extravert in your life, while it’s -20 out, an indoor date at their favourite indie coffee shop or restaurant will be a hit. For the Introverts, check out your favourite maker’s market, or social enterprise for something unique that matches their creative personality.

Believe it or not, Inquiring Greens can be some of the most romantic amongst us. They may not show their emotions as easily as the other dimensions, but Inquiring Greens care deeply for the people close to them, and will go to the end of the earth when needed. They have notoriously high standards; the fact that you were chosen by an Inquiring Green is high praise… you just won’t likely hear them express it. When they open your gift, don’t fret when they don’t seem excited about it, rest assured that they really are. You just need to pay attention to their subtle signs… sometimes VERY close attention.

Inquiring Greens can be difficult to buy for at the best of times; if they really want something, chances are they’ll already have gotten it for themselves. Give them something that shows you’ve been paying attention to the things they care about and their love of learning. The Introverts will appreciate a subscription to a master class or the latest gadget that’s part of their favourite hobby. For the Extraverts, you can’t do wrong with an escape room. 

Organized Golds fully embrace the motto “be prepared.”  If you’re stopping on your way home on the 14^th to pick up a gift, they’re going to know! They are dependable, loyal, and practical. They aren’t generally fans of grand gestures, but traditions are hugely important. When choosing a gift for your Organized Gold partner, remember that practical gifts can be a hit; but take my word for it, small appliances are never a good choice.  For most of them, there’s nothing wrong with a card from the dollar store. It still shows you care, but it also shows that you don’t need to spend $9 on a piece of paper that gets looked at once, to show you care.

Time is a precious to Organized Golds, so giving your undivided attention is key. Turn that cellphone off, and do your best to keep interruptions to a minimum. For the Extravert in your life, tap into their nostalgic side and re-create your first date; go back to that old restaurant and share the same bottle of wine, even if your tastes have matured… as long as it’s practical to do it! For Introverted Organized Golds, stick with something classic; a bouquet of flowers and chocolates are usually a hit. But also consider a gift a relaxation; because Organized Golds are known to put a lot of time and effort at work, and taking care of others, go with something to help them unwind. A spa gift card or their favourite personal care products for an at-home spa experience are greatly appreciated.

If you have a Resourceful Orange partner, you may have just lucked out if you’re reading this on February 14^th, and haven’t done anything for them yet. You may have blinked, and ended up in a long –term, committed relationship with a Resourceful Orange, but that’s what makes them so great. Resourceful Oranges don’t beat around the bush, and are quick to tell you how they feel. This goes for whatever gift you give them, and your relationship as a whole. They need to hear that you appreciate them back, just as quick as they tell you. Resourceful Oranges aren’t as big on traditions as the other dimensions, so don’t wait until Valentine’s Day to show your love and appreciation.

If you are going to mark the day with them, now is the time to be spontaneous, or break out that grand gesture you’ve had up your sleeve. Resourceful Oranges tend to like surprises. For the Extraverts, go to a restaurant without a reservation… and when you realize that everyone booked weeks ago, take a walk through a new neighbourhood and try the first restaurant with a free table, and talk your way in. Remember, it’s about the adventure, not the destination. For the Introverts, get them a subscription box, so they can try something new every month, and think of you when it arrives.

❤️

Whatever you and your partner end up doing or gifting each other on Valentine’s Day, remember it’s about recognizing the two of you. These are just some suggestions, and don’t reflect everyone. Remember that we’re all a unique blend of the four dimensions, and you know your partner best… except for the part about small appliances… definitely don’t do that no matter what you’re thinking.  

Personality Dimensions® – Meet the Master Trainers

Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some really incredible people. One of those truly remarkable people is someone I’d like to introduce you to: Michael Tudor, Personality Dimensions® Level III Master Trainer. Michael, by virtue of his incredibly enthusiastic and joyful way of seeing and communicating with the world, not to mention his high level of energy, is highly memorable. The team here at CLSR always look forward to hearing from him and sharing the photos of his training programs, etc., amongst ourselves. Michael’s contributions to the development of many aspects of Personality Dimensions® are too many to mention. He is another of the key people who I call upon to run ideas past or to assist with developing new materials. And, as Michael always says, “You can’t make this stuff up!” Here, in his own words, is Michael. ~Denise

Michael Tudor

“1) Question posed by Inquiring Green participant during my workshop:

She has just discovered that her husband is an Authentic Blue

Q: ‘Michael I have been with my husband for 25 years. He makes my lunch every day and each time he inserts a love note.’ She pauses. ‘How can I get him to stop?’

2) Comment by Resourceful Orange participant after PD workshop.

‘I went home and told my Organized Gold fiancée that I am spontaneous and needed my moments to be impulsive and to go with the flow. She went to her calendar and inserted that information on the dates when I could have those moments.’

 YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!!!

This is one of the reasons why I have enjoyed presenting Personality Dimensions® workshops since its inception in 2003. Given the subject matter on temperament and the various shadings within each colour one can never predict the “ah ha” moments. But when they happen they are often hilarious and always revealing

It was in 1992 that the head of Co-op at my High School in Scarborough had experienced a True Colors presentation and invited me to take the Level 1 certification. Only armed at that time with a colourless approach to how I operated or behaved in life, the presentation solidified that as an Organized Gold I had other folks in my corner. My training was to enable me to present this tool to co-op students in two high schools in Scarborough– my own,  L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute and Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute.

In 1996, under the skillful direction of Kathleen Goldstrom (Resourceful Orange), I gained my level II credential. Shortly thereafter I completed my Masters Degree at the University of Toronto with the topic “Empowering Students-at-Risk Using the True Colors philosophy.”

When CLSR embarked on research to support Temperament Theory and then used their findings to make it more reflective of our Canadian culture I was very pleased to be both proof reader and act as an editor at large. The results of all of the research, development and design became what is now known as Personality Dimensions® and as a then Level II Trainer I bridged around 300 participants from other temperament models to Personality Dimensions®.

During my 20 year tenure as an instructor in the Initial Teacher Education Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, I incorporated Personality Dimensions throughout the course. Using this tool, Teacher Candidates were able to articulate their strengths and limitations and to expand their teaching repertoire.

Without fail, the course evaluations for my course mentioned Personality Dimensions® as the highlight of their program.

Whether I am presenting to high school students or to faculty members of various universities or to the corporate world the results are the same. Audiences leave with a tremendous sense of satisfaction. I, in turn, leave with a wow feeling-EVERY TIME.

During the last few years, in concert with my husband, Larry Konyu, we have been running 3 day Level I and II certification programs. Calling upon the repertoire we have gained from conducting thousands of workshops, the certification programs are filled with up to date anecdotes and facilitation does and cautions. Not a minute is wasted.

It gives me great pleasure to mention that I have certified the following esteemed PD colleagues to get their level II. Among others- Kate Jones, Anne Bulstrode, Susan Geary, Helen Bailey, Parag Grewal, Drew Fockler and Marie Logan.

Our Level I trainees often tell us that they are sad to see the program end. It doesn’t get much better than that.

My fourth colour preference is Inquiring Green. It wasn’t until I began conducting Personality Dimensions® workshops that I discovered that my father’s preferred colour preference was Inquiring Green. That was my “ah ha” moment. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1989, five years before I acquired this knowledge. If I had known more about his temperament when I was growing up it would have enhanced our relationship. To this end, I consider Personality Dimensions® as a gift to give to my audiences.

Finally, here is an anecdote about how all four colours react to the Personality Dimensions® assessment part of the workshop — specifically the card sort. Stress can come in four different colours.

• Authentic Blue participant. ‘I feel I am part of everyone’s life so I would rather give everyone a score of 4. But Michael said I must score 1-4. That means someone has to come in last. This makes me uncomfortable.’
• Inquiring Green participant: ‘I can’t possibly do this in such a short period. Is there a book with additional reading?’
• Resourceful Orange participant: ‘I know what I am already. I can’t believe all of this paperwork. If I had known….’
• Organized Gold participant: ‘Michael, thank you for the four cards and the participant pack envelope. Very neat. I can score 1-4 no problem. By the way, if the world were all like us we would be a lot better off.'”

 

Degrees: M.Ed in Special Education and Instruction; Honours B.A. (Psychology)

Certifications/Qualifications: MBTI facilitator; Tribes Trainer; Personality Dimensions Master Facilitator/Trainer.

Contributions to Personality Dimensions include:

Co-author: Differentiated Instruction: Personality Dimensions and Learning Styles (with husband Larry Konyu)

DVD: The Lighter Side of Talking in Colour.

Michael has also authored the book: Practical Classroom Strategies For Every Teacher.

Michael can be reached at michaeltudor@rogers.com or through his website at www.kondor.ca.

Personality Dimensions® Word Definitions

Personality Dimensions® is all about creating a common language of understanding; but how can you have a common language of understanding if you don’t understand the language?  To help solve this, we created the following list way back in 2002 when Personality Dimensions® was still going through its focus group testing phase.  As a Certified Trainer you probably have seen this before on page 95 in your copy of Building Blocks to a Personality Dimensions Introductory Workshop, 2nd Edition.  We have found that this handout is especially useful when delivering a workshop using PD Basics materials, as well as PD @ School, and PD for Youth.  Do you think this list covers it all, or are there other terms we should add to it?  Let us know in the comments below.

 

Abstract – something not clear or concrete (see concepts and theories)

Accommodating – flexible; cooperative; willing to please

Accomplishments – things you have done or achieved; goals reached

Accordingly – to meet the situation; to be appropriate

Acknowledging – pointing out; calling attention to; recognizing

Advocate – one who stands up or fights for others; a supporter

Aloof – snobbish; unfriendly; distant; cold

Analyzing – looking at something closely; investigating it and figuring it out

Authentic – true; real; genuine

Authority – boss; in charge or control; rule-maker

Betrayed – cheated; lied; been disloyal

Charismatic – warm; likeable; charming; able to get people to like you

Clarify – make clearly understood

Committed – devoted to; promised to; secure in

Compassionate – caring; supportive; kind, warm; sympathetic

Compelled – to feel obligated or forced to do something by a feeling inside us

Competence – skilled in, or good at something

Competitive – meeting challenges from others; compete; go against

Complex – difficult; detailed; puzzling

Compromise – an agreement that pleases everyone and usually requires some giving in on both parts

Concepts – idea; theory; view; something not concrete

Concise – brief and to the point

Contributions – things we give – time, money, ideas, labour, etc.

Convincing – able to bring people to your way of thinking

Debate – a friendly argument; discussing two different sides of an issue

Dedication – loyalty; commitment; sticking with it

Democratic – a process where everyone’s opinion is heard and considered

Empathetic – understanding how someone else feels

Ensuring – making sure that

Enthusiastically – with a lot of energy, excitement and a positive feeling

Entrepreneurial – interested in and capable of running your own business

Ethics – knowing right from wrong and choosing to do right; morals; standards

Generous – very giving; likes to give lots of things to others

Global View – a big picture view; not specific or detailed

Impact – having an effect or making a difference

Implicit – something that doesn’t need to be said; it is clearly implied or hinted at Impulsive acting quickly on a gut feeling

Innate – in-born; something that you were born with; that comes naturally

Innovation – fresh; new; original ideas Insensitive not aware of or worried about others’ feelings

Intellect – brain, mind or understanding

Interactive – communication and action between two or more people Intuition a feeling that leads to an idea, a hunch, an instinct

Life-long Learner – one who takes courses or learns new things on their own all their life

Mediator – one who helps others solve problems without taking sides; a peacemaker

Meticulous – very careful, neat and exact; looking out for important details

Minimal – as little or few as possible

Modifications – slight or minor changes to something

Motivator – one who can encourage and excite others to carry on

Multi-tasker – one who does a lot of things at the same time, or jumps back and forth easily between different tasks

Mutual Respect – people respect each other; I respect you and you respect me

Negotiator – one who is good at getting the best deal, or reaching the best solution by talking and bargaining

Objective – fair; neutral; not taking sides

Optimistic – look on the bright side or look for positive things

Passionately – with a lot of strong feeling and excitement

Perpetual – constant; endless; ongoing

Persuasive – able to make people agree with your ideas or opinions

Potential – possible; promising skill or talent not yet developed

Practicality – sensible usefulness or benefit

Precise – exact; accurate

Principled – follow a strict guide to moral behaviour; do the right thing

Procedures – a guideline for how things should be done

Rationale – the reason behind something; “why” it is

Redundancy – unnecessary routine or repetitiveness; repeating the same thing again and again; repeating the same thing again and again

Resourceful – having good ideas for using what is available or getting what is needed

Restrictive – too many rules, limits, or boundaries

Revel – really enjoy; delight in

Security – feeling safe and stable

Self Actualization – being the best that you can possibly be; being your idea of perfect

Semantics – differences between very specific meanings of words and phrases

Sensitive – easily pick up unspoken messages from others and interpret the meaning

Sentimental – warm, touching feelings; having great meaning for you

Solitary – alone; by one’s self

Spontaneous – do quickly without thinking it through; acting on impulse

Tactile – touching; hands-on; physical

Tangents – things not related to the topic being discussed

Tenacious – stubborn; determined; insistent

Theories – ideas not based on solid facts

Trustworthy – honest; able to live up to the trust others put in you

Unique – one of a kind; special; not like all the others

Visionary – one who has good ideas about how things could be in the future

Personality Dimensions® – Continuing Education Units

Did you know that Personality Dimensions® qualifies for Continuing Education Units through a couple of professional associations?  These can benefit you as a professional, and serve as an added value to your clients who take your programs.

For those of you in Alberta, you can earn 24 CPD hours with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta. They have approved 24 CPD hours (Continued Professional Development) for members who have completed the Personality Dimensions Level 1 Certification Program.

Get a group of mortgage professionals together, and teach them how to develop their “Personality Radar.”  The Mortgage Professionals Canada has re-approved 4 Continuing Education Credits in 2018 for members who have participated in a Sales Dimensions™ workshop delivered by a Personality Dimensions Certified Trainer.

More details on these opportunities can be found at: http://www.personalitydimensions.com/ceus

 

Most importantly, let your professional associations know that you want to earn Continuing Education Credits for yourself and your clients with Personality Dimensions®.  Are you a professional organization looking to offer more opportunities for your members?  Contact bwhitehorn@clsr.ca and we can make it happen.

Personality Dimensions® – We’re More than Personality!

Personality Dimensions® was officially launched 14 years ago, after many years of research and development; but did you know what else helped influence its development over the years?  Personality Dimensions®  is published by CLSR (Career/LifeSkills Resources Inc) – a company now located in Aurora, Ontario Canada.  We’ve been in Career Development for a long time; our company’s Founder and Director, Denise Hughes has been in the industry since 1974.

While Personality Dimensions® is a great tool to use for Career Development, Career Management, Professional Development; however we recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to resources.  That is why we publish and distribute a variety of different resources for different needs.  If you are looking for Assessments, Videos, Curricula, or Workbooks, we’ve got you covered!

• Looking for a career interests assessment for non-verbal clients?  We have that.
• Need a quantitative abilities/skills measure for an MVA client?  We have that too.
• Getting youth ready for their first jobs?  Yes!
• Conducting a workshop for adult job-seekers?  We can save you time.
• Helping clients prepare for interviews? We have current videos for that.

 

Molly Hughes, Office Dog, and Head of Human Resources.

Have a look at www.clsr.ca to see the variety of resources we carry.  Got any questions? Give us a call at 1-877-680-0200.  While you’re at it, check out our blog on Career Development Resources http://clsresrources.wordpress.com.  If you find yourself in the area, drop by to see what we’ve got, and spend some time with the office dog, Molly.

Personality Dimensions® – Meet the Master Trainers

Continuing in our series of introducing our Master Trainers, it’s truly a great pleasure for me to introduce Dr. Roberta Neault. I’ve known Roberta for so long now that it’s hard for me to remember a time when we weren’t working on, or refining, some project or other. She’s a soft-spoken but powerful and extremely effective force in shaping career development in Canada and been recognized and awarded for her commitment nationally and internationally. It’s actually very difficult to keep track of Roberta. When I send her an e-mail I never know from what part of the globe she will respond! For me it’s been a tremendous pleasure and privilege to know and work with Roberta. Most recently we had a few brief moments of catch-up time while registering at the hotel for the Cannexus conference – and in truly wonderful Authentic Blue fashion she greeted me with a great warm, open smile and a hug.

Roberta’s been involved with Personality Dimensions® from long before we actually published any of the materials and I am very grateful to her for sharing her expertise with all of us and her commitment to Personality Dimensions®. If you ever get the chance to hear Roberta at a conference or have a cup of coffee with her count it as a real privilege, I know that I do.

In her own words …

“It’s interesting to reflect on my history with Personality Dimensions® – I can recall providing feedback on some of the earliest materials before the tool was even officially launched. Then there was a transitional period when I had training booked for True Colors Level 1 and 2 and had to sort out what to do when I knew that Personality Dimensions® was almost ready to go public. We gave those participants “two for the price of one” and certified them in both models at the same time – that took a lot of binders! I then provided Bridging training for hundreds, perhaps over a thousand, True Colors trainers to equip them to transition to the new tools. Our Level 2 trainees have come from the UK, the US, and all parts of Canada and I’ve facilitated Personality Dimensions® workshops with clients from throughout Asia, South and Central America, North America, Europe, and Africa – it resonates with groups of diverse ages, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds.

I’ve had the privilege of expanding the Personality Dimensions® suite of resources by writing and/or co-authoring most of the Personality Dimensions® Toolkits for Trainers, working on the Retirement Dimensions tool and toolkit, and co-developing the Level 1 Online Training with Dr. Deirdre Pickerell and the support of our team at Life Strategies Ltd. One of the most challenging projects was developing PD Basics as it was intended to be useful for two very distinct audiences – English language learners and individuals with low literacy. We had to ensure that the language was clear and simple but not insulting, suitable for adults who might speak English fluently but struggle with reading but also for adults who might be very well educated but struggle to understand English. We also wanted the tool to be useful in a mixed group, not singling out individuals who would have struggled with the regular package but seamlessly equipping them to keep up with the assessment activities. The PD Basics materials have achieved all of those goals!

I’ve been especially impressed with the publishers, Career/LifeSkills Resources – they have been so open to feedback, supportive of extending the suite of resources, and responsive to trainers’ needs. I also appreciate the enthusiasm of the family of Personality Dimensions® trainers. I recall attending a conference in the Maritime region where one exhibitor was eagerly introducing me to the Personality Dimensions® products at her table and all of the benefits of using Personality Dimensions® until she suddenly noticed that my name tag matched the author’s name for most of the books on her table!

I’ve used Personality Dimensions® in a variety of settings but one of my most memorable moments was with a group of hospice volunteers. As you’d expect, many of them had strong preferences for Authentic Blue and, of course, kept trying to engage their dying residents and family members in the types of creative activities that Authentic Blues tend to love. They were frustrated by the lack of interest and appreciation that they were getting from some people – what an “aha moment” when they recognized that not everyone wants to spend their final days scrapbooking or telling stories! Personality Dimensions® is SUCH a wonderful tool for helping us to recognize and celebrate both similarities AND differences!”

 

Credentials: Canadian Certified Counsellor, Certified Career Development Practitioner, Global Career Development Facilitator – Instructor, Personality Dimensions Master Trainer

Degrees: PhD (Educational Psychology), MA (Counselling Psychology), BEd (Special Education / Psychology)

You can reach Roberta through the Life Strategies website: www.lifestrategies.ca, at roberta@lifestrategies.ca or the Life Strategies office:  604-856-2386  Follow her on Twitter: @RobertaNeault

Personality Dimensions® – It’s World Creativity and Innovation Week

Did you know that World Creativity and Innovation Week is April 15^th to April 21^st?

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone felt the strength, and the social and emotional support to navigate life’s challenges?

World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) April 15 – 21 and World Creativity and Innovation Day, April 21 (WCID) reminds us to make solving problems in new ways an annual event.

The overall purpose is to encourage and remind people to use their creativity (generating new ideas, making new decisions, taking new actions and achieving new outcomes) for innovation that makes the world a better place and makes their place in the world better too.

WCIW/D promotes taking the time to inspire new action, create novel ideas, make new decisions; to solve problems in new ways, using a new pair of eyes.  It provides time to educate, engage, celebrate and open doors that help people experience freedom from suffering and open up to new worlds of what’s possible.

Since its founding as World Creativity and Innovation Day, April 21, 2001 in Canada, people in over 50 countries in businesses, schools, associations, organizations, communities and homes have celebrated every year.

Source: http://wciw.org

 

World Creativity and Innovation day founder Marci Segal has been a great friend of Career/LifeSkills Resources, and Personality Dimensions®; her work and ideas have either directly or indirectly influenced what we do.  Last year, Marci shared with us an article on how the four Personality Dimensions® influence creativity. It’s a great resource that is definitely worth checking out if you haven’t had the chance yet.

This year, we are pleased to share that On April 20, 2017, 10:00 am eastern, I. Rhonda King, Permanent Representative/Ambassador to the United Nations from St. Vincent and the Grenadines will read a UN resolution on the floor of the General Assembly to include World Creativity and Innovation Day, April 21, among the UN Days of Observance which includes Earth Day, Water Day, World Humanitarian Day, and the like.

The great news is that it will be webcast Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 10:00 Eastern Time on UNWebTv.  The staff here will be gathering together to watch; we’re not quite sure how to make that happen yet, but I’m confident we’ll come up with a creative solution!

Find out more on World Creativity and Innovation Week at http://wciw.org.  Follow Marci on twitter @marcisegal.

Personality Dimensions® – Meet the Master Trainers

Continuing in our series of introducing our Master Trainers, it’s my pleasure to present Deirdre Pickerell. I’ve always considered it to be a real privilege to work with Deirdre. She’s been involved with so many aspects of Personality Dimensions® over the years that it’s hard to keep track. She always brings tremendous professionalism and her wonderful joie de vivre to everything she does. Deirdre and her colleagues at Life Strategies have breathed life into an on-line training program that shapes great Personality Dimensions® facilitators and she continues to keep in touch with Personality Dimensions®colleagues from across the country and around the globe.  ~Denise Hughes

In her own words …

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Personality Dimensions® since its earliest days. As a former True Colors Level 2 Trainer, I was one of those who loved using the tool but was disappointed in the quality of some of the materials and the lack of ongoing research and validation. All that changed when Personality Dimensions® was launched; it was hard to not be overjoyed with the vibrant Personality Dimensions® materials, the inclusion of descriptors and symbols, and the more robust Traits & Characteristics Choices Checklist and, of course, the inclusion of the Introversion/Extraversion Quiz.

In those early days, many of my clients hadn’t heard of Personality Dimensions® so would request additional True Colors workshops. In every single instance, however, we seamlessly shifted to Personality Dimensions® and had incredibly positive responses to this new tool.

Over the past several years, I’ve facilitated countless Personality Dimensions® workshops with corporate groups, across a wide range of industries, as well as within non-profit agencies and educational institutions. Topics have also varied, from team strengthening and career building to leadership development and work/life balance. I’ve also had the honour of co-authoring, with fellow Master Trainer Dr. Roberta Neault, several Personality Dimensions® materials, including the Conflict Management; Leadership Development; Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service; and Work-Life Balance Toolkits for Trainers; the PD Basics Materials; and the Personality Dimensions® in a Virtual World guide.

Denise has also trusted me, and the Life Strategies team, with delivering Personality Dimensions® Facilitator (Level 1) training online. This facilitator-led, interactive course mimics the face-to-face training and helps to bring Personality Dimensions to those in rural and remote communities who may not be able to access the facilitator training. We’ve also welcomed participants from 5 countries.

I love working with Personality Dimensions® and am especially proud of the impact workshops have on participants. There is immense learning that occurs as people celebrate their similarities and explore how their differences make them stronger. I’m also deeply honoured to have recently learned I am one of the longest holders of Master Trainer status are still active! Makes me wonder . . . what’s next??!”

Degrees: PhD (Human and Organizational Systems); MA (Human Development; MEd (Educational Leadership)

Certifications/Qualifications: Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR); Global Career Development Facilitator Master Trainer (GCDF-i); Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Trainer; BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory Facilitator; Personality Dimensions® Master Trainer

Deirdre can be reached through the Life Strategies website (www.lifestrategies.ca), via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdrepickerell/ or on Twitter @deirdrepickerel

Personality Dimensions® – Meet the Master Trainers

The Personality Dimensions® Master Trainers have been a vital part of the work that goes into ongoing development of Personality Dimensions®.  As first in our series, we would like to introduce you to Kate Jones, M.Ed.  Kate was kind enough to share a little bit about herself, and her history with Personality Dimensions®:

“The very first time I had the privilege of teaching temperament theory in a corporate setting, a participant, whose primary colour was Organized Gold, marvelled at its accuracy with, “I am a textbook Gold!” She clasped my hand at the end to thank me for helping her understand herself and like what she discovered about her special attributes. As a facilitator whose primary colour is Authentic Blue can you imagine how that made me feel? I’ m enabling people, one at a time, to like whom they discover is at the core of their being, Since that day I have not lost this feeling that Personality Dimensions® allows me to bring meaning into people’s lives, to help them discover their strengths, whether they work in schools, not-for-profit companies or corporate Canada.

Then there are the parents whom I work with often. Those who come to my seminar usually have at least one child that they may not understand as well as they would like, or whom they want to parent the best way they know how. In one of my very first parent seminars I had a mom approach me with tears in her eyes, saying “You just saved my family from a lot of heartache; I thought there was something very wrong with my daughter and now I realise that she is just completely different from her father and I….and that’s ok”! Again, for an Authentic Blue, I know that delivering Personality Dimensions® to people in a variety of settings is my calling.

As a result of some of my volunteer activities over the years with the Oakville Community Foundation, the United Way, the Canadian Cancer Society and OAAPT,  for example, I have had opportunity to deliver a Personality Dimensions® seminar. As for other volunteer positions I’ve been privileged to contribute in places such as churches, Burlington Art Gallery, Bronte Advisory Committee, and UWC, where my understanding of temperament has helped me understand and appreciate the people with whom I have worked over the years.”

Degrees: M.Ed. (Teaching & Learning); Honours B.A. (English & Psychology)

Certificates: Training & Development, Level IV Energy Diagnostic & Treatment Specialist, Solution Focused Counsellor, Positive Psychology Specialist, Retire To The Life You Design Facilitator, 2 Young 2 Retire Facilitator, Relocation and Transition Specialist, True Colors Facilitator, FIRO-B Facilitator, MBTI Trainer, and Personality Dimensions Facilitator/Master Trainer

Aside from being a great supporter and frequently running seminars, Kate’s contributions to Personality Dimensions® include…

• Co-Author: Great Parenting Skills for Navigating Your Kid’s Personality (with partner Wayne Jones)
• Coordinator/Writer: Retirement Dimensions™ Assessment Tool, RD On-Line, and Toolkit
• Contributing Editor, Sales Dimensions™

Kate has also authored the book: Her Journey: Stories of Entrepreneurs

Kate can be reached through her website: http://www.skills4people.com, or on Twitter @KateJonesAssoc.