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This week I will look at the Rationals personality type from the Keirsey Temperament test.

Part 4: Rationals

Rational personalities make up 5-7% of the population and create quite a stir for being such a small group.  These personalities like to be in charge and you will find them in top corporate positions.  Rationals have a take charge attitude about most things they do. Want to move the project forward?  Bring in a Rational

Rationals are goal oriented and like to get things done.  Delegation is a primary part of this personality.  They are concerned with getting the job completed and tend to discount team member feelings. You will not find them worrying about whether the team works well together, just that the team works!

Although the Rational is the mover and shaker of the team, they usually are the most disliked.  This occurs because this type of employee is usually insensitive to others and impatient. Their focus is on the project, not the people working on the project. 

When a Rational feels they have lost control of a project or group, they will go into high gear to control things.  Of course, in the process, they will not be kind or sensitive to others.  Expect fall-out from the team when that happens. 

As a supervisor, Rationals can be demanding and impatient with employees.  They require excellence in everything and do not tolerate excuses. They will adhere to the rules if it serves their purpose.  Their goal in life is to complete the task well.

Supervisors can get better performance from a Rational if they:

  • Include them in the decision-making process.
  • Outline their purpose within the group.
  • Remind them of their impact on others.
  • Encourage them to listen more.
  • Remind them that there is more at stake than the end result.
  • Place them into positions that utilize their strengths.

CAVEAT:  Rationals may not exhibit all of these traits as personality covers a wide spectrum and is not an exact science. 

Next Week: Idealists

Rationals in a Nutshell

Value to the Team:  Rationals will take the first steps in a project.They are never reluctant to get something started!

Major Strength: Goal-oriented and gets things done.

Major Weakness: Insensitive of others and impatient.

Communication: Initiates conversations. 

Emotional Response: Independent of the situation.

Decision Making: Decides with goals in mind.

Behavior Under Stress:  Rationals, when faced with high levels of stress, will dominate the process and others. 

Being a Better Team Player:  Rationals need to listen more.  They are so fixated on the goal they forget that other's can contribute too.   

Rational Personalities

Walt Disney

Mark Twain

Margaret Thatcher

Napoleon Bonaparte

Bill Gates

Charles Darwin

Aristotle

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Disclaimer - This publication and the information included in it are not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation with an attorney. Specific legal issues, concerns and conditions always require the advice of appropriate legal professionals.