Personalities of
Sanguine, Melancholic, Choleric and Phlegmatic

There are four main types of personalities.

They were defined by Hippocrates as Sanguine, Melancholy, Choleric and Phlegmatic.

Today, these titles sound old-fashioned, and the words have changed meanings over the years.

However, their descriptions remain, very much, the same.

They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

All exhibit their emotions differently.

How they act at work, and how they are as a friend, is also due to their personalities.

Remember that most of us are never one single type, but rather a subtle combination, or show different degrees of, two or more of the four personalities.

One will be definite or predominant.

Here we just give you the four styles in a list form.

This is not, by any means, the full list.

It’s still a great start.


Sanguine

• Always seems optimistic
• Cheerful and happy outlook
• Positive attitude
• Upbeat and outgoing
• Confident in their actions

• Enthusiastic and expressive
• Curious of others
• Change their mind often
• Not afraid to show emotions
• Sincere and genuine at heart
• Carefree to the point of naivety

Sanguine at work

• Full of energy and enthusiasm
• Always thinking up new activities
• Volunteers for fun jobs
• Inspires other to join in
• Encourages others to work

Sanguine as a friend

• Makes friends easily
• Loves to be with people
• Thrives on compliments and awards
• Enjoys spontaneous activities
• Envied by others
• Revels as the center of attention

Melancholy This definition has changed with time. In the beginning it described someone as;

• Introverted, the quiet achiever
• Deep thinker, works out the details
• Academically minded
• Accurate and intellectual approach to things
• Well read and a good scholar
• Pessimistic, covering all possible angles

• Often deep in thought
• Analyzes everything in detail
• The Eternal Perfectionist
• Serious in their actions
• All things must have a purpose
• Conscientiously finishes every task
• Appreciates good quality
• Appraises others opinions sensitively

Melancholy at work

• Keeps on schedule
• Demands high standards of themselves and others
• Conscious of every detail
• Meticulous and organized in their tasks
• Neat and tidy appearance
• Fiercely economical, demands value for money
• Actively seeks inovative solutions to problems
• Likes charts, graphs, figures and lists

Melancholy as a friend

• Considers much and makes friends cautiously
• Content to stay in the background
• Reliable and loyal
• Listen attentively to complaints (to try to solve them!)
• Don't like to attract attention to themselves

Choleric

• Extremely irritated with small talk
• Easily angered by petty things
• Will plan revenge to show who's the boss
• Intolerant of others tardiness
• Have a very delicate and easily bruised ego
• Revels in the power of control

• Indifferent to other people’s emotions or feelings
• Expresses irritation, angers easily and often
• Feels content or comfortable with power
• Feels the need to correct wrongs
• Independent, goal oriented, top achiever
• Can manage well on their own
• Strong willed to the point of arrogance
• Exudes supreme confidence in public
• Has an adventurous outlook

Choleric at work

• Highly Goal-orientated (usually achieves them too!)
• Organizes events and people well
• Delegates work well, and often
• Thrives on defeating the opposition
• Constantly sees the big picture
• Stimulates or demands activity around them

Choleric as a friend

• Has little or no need for friends, only colleagues
• Will work well and oversee a group activity
• Natural born leader and organizer
• Excels in any emergency situation

Phlegmatic ;

• Easy-going demeanor disguises a hard-working attitude
• Kind, good-natured and giving
• Displays impeccable manners
• Strives to achieve a peaceful environment
• Quietly pulls the whole unit together
• Laid back approach to every-day tasks

• Usually quite calm and collected
• Is patient and understanding
• Keeps emotions well hidden
• Sympathetic to others needs
• Cares for the good of others more than themselves

Phlegmatic at work

• The peacemaker and agreement organizer
• Avoids conflict at all cost
• Still gets the job done under pressure
• Constantly looks for amicable solutions
• Voluntarily mediates between people to alleviate problems

Phlegmatic as a friend

• Always amicable and easy to get along with
• Pleasant and enjoyable company
• An effective and good listener
• Dry sense of humour
• Enjoys watching over and helping people
• Has compassion and concerned about others welfare

If you begin to understand the different personalities, what they are like, how they act, or react, what motivates them and what turns them off, (as well as a host of other things) you can really communicate on a whole different level.

You will find yourself getting far more co-operation and far less tension from every conversation or encounter.

Bear in mind that no personalities are better, or worse, than the other.

We need all the different personalities for a good, productive, fun, balanced, integrated life.

Jerry Clark is, by far, the greatest teacher of how to communicate with similar and different personalities.

His CD set, the Magic of Colours, is a rare opportunity to hear a master at work.

For all you Reds out there he is sharp and ‘to the point’. He is orderly and precise for the Greens. Very witty and entertaining for Blues and explains everything in a way that we can all live and work as a great big happy family, for the Yellows.

The Magic of Colours is designed to help you take your personal and professional life to the next level by teaching you the ‘language of success’.

Simply put; life is a people business, yet we are taught very little about how to have the greatest impact with the people we communicate with on a regular basis.

The best way to influence and relate to others, is to understand them.

In this program you will learn how to:

• Gain instant rapport with those you meet
• Motivate others into action and help keep them focused
• Enhance the teamwork and excitement within your organization
• Decrease conflicts and, what is sometimes called, ‘personality clashes’
• Acquire new skills that will help you effectively lead your team
• Win friends and increase co-operation with even the most difficult people
• Dramatically improve your personal, professional and social relationships
• The Magic of Colours is a 6 CD audio program that teaches you the ‘language’ of the four basic personality styles in a fun and easy way, so you can increase the productivity and profitability in your personal and/or your professional life.

Personalities to Complete Wellness