New Personality Self-Portrait DescriptionsFive personality styles driven by ActionThe five styles in the Action personality group define themselves by what they do and how they do it. Rather than looking to either relationships (Heart) or an inner compass (Mind), this group has an outward focus on an external reality. The Adventurous Style likes to take physical challenges and soar above the mundane. The forceful, no-nonsense members of the Aggressive Style are strong, competent, and capable of making difficult decisions. Those who characterize the Dramatic Style are the entertainers, doing everything with flamboyance and finesse. The Leisurely Style wants to take only those actions that are absolutely necessary, allowing for an easy, slow pace the rest of the time. Ambition and optimism surround those of the Self-Confident Style, making them charismatic leaders who can inspire a team to reach a new vision. Although these styles are concerned about how they act, so are the other styles. However, more than the other NPSP personality types, these five understand their core personalities are defined by the way they take action. See also our introduction to the New Personality Self-Portrait system. To find a specific NPSP personality style for yourself or someone else, use our interactive NPSP Matrix. The Adverturous Style
Never content with the easy way, they want to stir things up and meet new challenges. They set goals, whether it is to climb a mountain or complete a marathon, and go after them with gusto. It is not just the physicality of activities that appeals to them; it is also the inherent risks involved. Taking risks makes them feel alive and gives them an adrenaline rush. Jeopardizing life and limb need not bring fame or fortune. It would be nice if the dangers overcome could bring added benefits, but that is not the purpose. Make no mistake: Adventurers take risks because that is what they love to do. Freedom is an important goal to the Adventurer. They don’t want to be tied down by others. Although outsiders may see them as reckless, Adventurers have developed a style that builds on their ingenuity, toughness, and experience to carry them through difficult situations. They don't worry or try to hide their emotions. Others know exactly where they stand with an Adventurer. The weakness of this style is the flip side of its free-wheeling charm. Perennial adolescents, those with an Adventurous predisposition can be easily frustrated when they are unable to follow their dreams of action. As the Adventurer gets older and the easy prowess of youth slips away, it becomes harder to reconcile one's self-image with the new reality. The modern-day, Western culture is enamored of Adventurers, and they fill our popular culture of sports heroes, novels, movies and video games. One person who was able to combine his Adventurer spirit with a successful business career is Steve Fossett. He became a millionaire through his activities in two brokerage firms. But his first love has been the excitement and challenge of sports — and not just one sport. In 2002, Fossett became the first person to circle the globe in a balloon solo. That is an impressive accomplishment, but hardly scratches the surface of the challenges Fossett has set for himself. He has completed the grueling swim across the English Channel; he participated in the Iditarod Dogsled Race held in Alaska; he joined the Le Mans car race, which requires a 24-hour marathon drive; and he entered and completed the Ironman Triathlon held in Hawaii. Not only has he piloted balloons, race cars, and dog sleds, he has also been behind the wheel of airplanes and sailboats. In February 2006, Fossett flew by himself for the longest nonstop solo flight ever, taking 76 hours and 45 minutes to travel 26,389.3 miles round-trip. Fossett is a man driven to take hard-hitting action that tests the limits. On September 3, 2007, Fossett took off from a private airstrip in Nevada in a single-engine aircraft for what should have been a routine flight. He failed to land as scheduled, and an exhaustive search turned up no clues on his disappearance. The Aggressive Style
There are some aspects of this style that are similar to the Adventurous Style. Both enjoy physical activity and competition. Both have the guts and the physical fortitude to perform well in sports or in the military. But the reasons for participating are different. The Adventurer wants the rush of the contest itself – the game or the challenge is its own reward. For the Aggressive, the purpose is to win and to be in charge. When Aggressives are at their best, they are the ones groups rely on for leadership. They make excellent planners and organizers. Good at orchestrating even the most complicated of activities, they make tough decisions and are good at delegating tasks. No one is better equipped to be a team advocate, no one more tenacious. To identify an Aggressive, look for someone who is successful, tends to be a disciplinarian as a parent, sometimes lacks patience, and is apt to judge that the ends justify the means. They are drawn to their work lives because that is the arena where they can exercise their need to have control and to be in charge. The downside of the Aggressive is the tendency to be dictatorial and autocratic. Their need to dominate and be in control can sometimes become overbearing. This tendency can make it difficult for them to compromise and accommodate the needs and wishes of others. This style has a temper and does not like to back down. One example of the Aggressive Style with a bit of the Adventurer in the mix is the intrepid character James Bond. Ian Fleming created this fictional hero in 1952. Bond is an agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service. Most people are familiar with Bond not through Fleming's novels, but by watching the many movies that have been made with the James Bond character as the lead. Sean Connery played Bond from 1962 to 1971 in movies such as Dr. No, Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever. Roger Moore became the Bond character from 1973 to 1985, and other actors played Bond after him, including Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. The movies show a character that is cool, debonair, and in complete control of all situations. Bond likes to flirt with the ladies, and he is good at relaxing in style when he can. But in an instant, Bond can spring into action, respond to a crisis, and devise a clever plan to get out of impossible situations. He can climb mountains, drive fast cars and boats, scuba-dive, fist fight, sword fight, shoot, and outwit any enemy one-on-one. He is good at what he does, and he does it with an ease that leaves all those around him slightly breathless. And he always wins. The Dramatic Style
Among the engaging traits of this style is the willingness to try new things and be open to change. This style loves the excitement of new relationships, new roles, new challenges. Dramatics have a gift of transforming even everyday routines into experiences of feeling, humor, and fun. Life is not boring or dull, and all the world's a stage. They have a flair for the emotional. Sometimes this can be expressed in uneven moods, and they can be drawn towards melodrama. They tend to be very trusting of others and often "wear their hearts on their sleeves." Dramatics often have to deal with a lack of patience and a tendency to gloss over details. They also become bored easily, so they can have a difficult time maintaining long-term relationships. They like to spice things up, for instance, flirting with someone new. Dramatics also have difficulty performing routine tasks and don't like to do mundane chores. Unless they have learned to overcome their dislike of these activities, they will tend to be haphazard about finishing them. A wonderfully successful representative of the Dramatic Style is Oprah Winfrey. Born of humble beginnings in 1954 in Mississippi, Winfrey is today one of the richest and most influential women in the United States. Most people are familiar with her popular TV talk show, Oprah. But that hardly touches the surface of her performing and dramatic activities. While growing up, she loved being the center of attention. As a young girl, she was good at reciting bible verses on cue at the Baptist church, earning her the nickname of "The Preacher." She participated in speech contests in high school and was voted The Most Popular Girl. Also in her late teens, she entered a beauty contest and became Miss Black Tennessee. Her talents have led to a number of dramatic activities, including a period as a TV news anchor, actress in works presented on stage and screen, narrator of documentaries, and radio-show host. Winfrey has earned a reputation as a philanthropist, and she does her giving in a flamboyant, expansive manner. For example, she was responsible for building the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Johannesburg, South Africa, which opened in January 2007 and cost $40 million to build. People enjoy inviting Oprah into their living rooms when they turn on her show. Everyone wants her as a friend. The Leisurely Style
Leisurelies are comfortable with themselves. They don't feel required to discharge any special missions or do more than take their places in the cosmic dance of the universe. They do not feel burdened about life, and instead feel that they are entitled to pursue their own interests. Their philosophy is that life is about doing what makes you happy – whatever that might be. They will put in the time necessary to fund their lifestyles, but their true focus remains their avocations, whether sports, travel, crafts, or just relaxing with snacks in front of the TV. Although people with this style are happy to form relationships, they are careful not to be overly restricted by them. By keeping ties with families and friends, Leisurelies can build a network of people who can be relied upon during life's rough spots. Leisurelies realize that they sometimes lack follow-through, so it is helpful to have a backup system. The way they keep relationships and maintain freedom (which can be a trick to do simultaneously) is by being adept at saying "no." In that way, they keep connections with other people but also lead their own lives on their own terms. You can recognize those with the Leisurely Style by their laid-back, slow-moving attitudes. They don't take on a lot of worry and are the last ones you'd expect to have high blood pressure. But they can procrastinate. They don't like to be involved in direct confrontations, so they can be obstinate about avoiding what they don't want do. Sometimes, the way they get out of something is not to say "no" but to do such a poor job that they are never asked to do it again. The Duke of York, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is a good representative of the Leisurely Style. Prince Andrew is the third child of Queen Elisabeth and Prince Phillip of England and is currently fourth in line to the throne. Born in 1960, he served in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 2001. He was married from 1986 to 1996 to Sarah Ferguson. That marriage was the focus of much media gossip, showing the couple in different compromising situations. But the two have remained friends since the divorce, and Sarah Ferguson has even moved into Prince Andrew's home with their two daughters. Although it is a large house, the fact that the two can still live together is an indication of just how easy-going Prince Andrew can be. Since his retirement, the Duke of York has been able to pursue his interests in golf and romance. Prince Andrew has been criticized because he has sometimes used the Queen's Flight to fly him to different golfing resorts. He likes to be seen with beautiful women, and he is often found in exotic locals on vacation. He still has official duties as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment for Great Britain, but he doesn't let that role slow down his party activities. Prince Andrew has a reputation as a playboy, but an engaging one. The Self-Confident Style
The major strength of this style is their unshakable belief in themselves. Even if they fail at achieving a particular goal, they interpret that as a reflection of bad luck and adverse forces in play rather than a reflection on them. This gives them an incredible resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks that might completely derail other personality types. Self-Confidents can be hard-driving, high-energy dynamos, whose focus can overwhelm the competition. And make no mistake about it – they are willing to put in the time and effort required to reach their goals. Those goals often involve achievement of positions of power and prestige. They have a knack for convincing others to work with them to achieve those ambitions. Self-Confidents are good at delegation and expect loyalty from those they consider on their teams. However, they don't take criticism well, nor do they like to share credit. They want to be admired and appreciated. Their outgoing natures make them good spokespersons, and their instinctive knowledge and interest in politics make them naturals at navigating any political currents their teams may face. One of the difficulties for the Self-Confident Style is a lack of empathy for others. Like the Aggressive Style, people of this personality type can have trouble controlling their tempers. The feeling that they are "special" can also be Self-Confidents' undoing. It can lead them into thinking they are above the rules, causing them to break laws or violate ethics codes. When Self-Confidents are frustrated too many times by too many bad breaks (bad luck), it can cause boredom and depression to set in. A stunning example of this style is President Bill Clinton. Clinton was born in 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. He was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. He is intelligent, having won a Rhodes scholarship in 1968 and graduated from Yale Law School in 1973. He speaks fluent German, and plays the saxophone. He probably is a combination of the Self-Confident Style and the Dramatic Style, reflecting the fact that he almost decided to pursue a career in entertainment, and Elvis is one of the people he most admires. He has always been interested in politics, and his career prospered in spite of a tendency toward illicit romantic liaisons. In Arkansas, he served as Attorney General for two years (1976-1978) and governor for 12 years (1978-1980, 1982-1992), loosing the governor's race for one term (1980-1982). He then won the presidency in a race against George Bush in 1992. He has continually been dogged by sex scandals, including the impeachment proceedings brought against him due to his affair with a government intern, Monica Lewinski. However, the "Teflon president" managed to come through it all, if not unscathed, then still standing. His ability to weather adversity, his unshakable self-confidence, and his unwillingness to see himself in a bad light made it possible for him to stand up under withering criticism. President Clinton still has avid supporters, and he reportedly earns $10,000 a night speaking on the convention circuit. He believes in himself and his vision so strongly, he can convince others to believe in it, too. More New Personality Self-Portrait Descriptions:  |
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Thrilling to high-risk activities, this style likes to test limits. Its members chose to be in the middle of the action, right NOW. Never prone to worry, these nonconformists have no regrets and are eternal optimists. They are high-energy folks seeking excitement.
Leading the pack, this style is commanding and forceful. Its members enjoy the give and take of sports and competition. Being disciplined, goal-oriented, protective, supportive and responsible, followers flock to this style. A downside is they can at times be hostile and angry.
Flamboyant and sensual, this style is the life of the party. Dramatics are adept at portraying feelings in addition to being entertaining and romantic. They are concerned about their appearances, using their looks as a way to be recognized and admired. They are often passionate and effervescent, joys to be around.
This style is easy-going. Its members feel entitled to be themselves. They fulfill obligations, but once completed, they want their own time. An important trait is resistance to others' demands, which can be seen as unreasonable. These folks just want to have fun.
Charismatic and political, this style believes they have a special gift to lead others. Their self-confidence and ambition make them expect others to treat them like celebrities. They love not just politics but all competition, and they can visualize their dreams coming true.