New Personality Self-Portrait DescriptionsFour personality styles motivated by HeartThe four Heart styles are grouped together because their core focus is a connection with other people. Each values its interaction with others in different ways. The Devoted Style is happiest serving family and friends. The Mercurial Style achieves an intense high from a romantic connection. The goal of the Self-Sacrificing Style is the ability to give their time, talents, and resources to others in the pursuit of a worthy cause. The Sensitive Style surrounds itself with loved ones in order to attain emotional security. Although these four styles are affected by their feelings, so are most of the other NPSP styles. "Heart" is not meant to be a synonym for emotion when it is used here. Instead, it reflects the fact that, more than the other Mind and Action styles, these four Heart styles concentrate to a greater extent on their relationships. 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 Devoted Style
In describing this style, Oldham and Morris could have had the stereotypical image of an old-fashioned wife and mother in mind. These are the people who take care of their families and homes, always looking after others. However, men are also included in the Devoted Style. It may be somewhat more difficult to identify them, as their way of caring may be more diffused to reflect commitments to a group rather than an individual or family. However, whether male or female, Devoted individuals are remarkable in their ability to promote harmony, their loyalty to the group, their willingness to take direction, their commitment to a team, and their empathy for others. There are other ways to pick out members of this style. They are good listeners, able to give others undivided attention. They are excellent hosts and hostesses, enjoying making people feel special on their birthday or other times of celebration. They go out of their way to take special care of those in their immediate circle — nursing them when they're sick, getting them something to eat when they're working late, or packing their bags before they go on business trips. As unfathomable as it may be to other styles, these are the activities that make the Devoted Style the happiest and most fulfilled. This style also has its rough spots. Given a focus on attachment, this style is uncomfortable acting independently and can be slow to take initiative. This style doesn't like to assume the responsibility of being in charge, but would rather adopt a supporting role. Making decisions is not a strong point. This style also has a hard time handling criticism, internalizing it and feeling guilty. After being criticized, this style can be concerned that whatever has happened to result in the criticism indicates that there is damage to the relationship. To the Devoted Style, the relationship is primary and it would be a disaster if it were jeopardized. For those of us who watched television in the last century, Harriet Nelson (from The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, 1952 to 1966) and June Cleaver (from Leave it to Beaver, 1957 to 1963) are characters that fit the Devoted Style. These dear ladies were stay-at-home moms who looked after the house, the kids, and Dad. Their issues were most often the concerns of the others in the family; rarely did a show involve an issue originating with them. They were portrayed as calm, even-tempered, resourceful, cheerful, dependable, competent, loving, and wise. And don't forget a dash of a sense of humor. They were also cooperative and always wanted the best for everyone in the family. There is no question that it was easy to like the TV moms, but it would be hard to live up to the standards they created. The Mercurial Style
One of the signs of this style is a tendency to be moody and difficult to approach at times. The roller-coaster style of high-energy, constant motion, intense reactions, and changing passions can leave companions drained and overwhelmed. It can be difficult for those with this style to maintain a long-term relationship. Instead, their connections can be passionate and wonderful for a while but then transform into conflict and disenchantment. It can take a special commitment to be able to hold on with this style for the long haul. Impulse control can be a challenge for those with the Mercurial Style. They sometimes confuse being authentic with unthinkingly voicing and acting on their emotions — no matter how inappropriate those sentiments or actions might be. They like to try new things and feel it is important to have their friends try them, too. Planning is not for them. Flexibility and ability to "go with the flow" is what is important. They never know when something new and exciting might pop up, and they don't want to miss it. At work, they can make creative contributions, but they need to be recognized for the work they do or else they lose interest. A fictional character that fits this style well is Vivian played by Julia Roberts in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman. The simple plot of the movie is that a businessman (Richard Gere) needs a woman to go with him for several official evening functions. His solution is to hire a beautiful prostitute rather than endure the complications of asking one of the women of his acquaintance. The story shows how the two fall in love with each other. Vivian is unquestionably Mercurial: fun-loving, enthusiastic, charming, and willing to take a chance to pull off the charade. As the movie unfolds, the viewer can see the intensity of her growing connection with the businessman, the strength of the attachment they forge, the despair caused by the eventual friction between them, and the glory of their final reconciliation. The Self-Sacrificing Style
Unfortunately, there is a downside to this personality. Sometimes, this style is not comfortable with being on the receiving end of a relationship, only in giving. Receiving gifts and attention can make them uncomfortable, making their partners feel that things are "unbalanced" between them. In addition, the Self-Sacrificing Style may have an agenda different from those around them, and their "giving" may not be appropriate or wanted. This style can easily become overextended, taking on too many projects by failing to say "no" when asked to help too many times. They also tend not to take time to relax. This can lead to bouts of depression and the stress caused by bottled-up resentments. A real-life example of this type is Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, or Dr. V (1918–2006). He was born in a small village in India, shaped by rural living, inspired by Gandhi, and appalled by the suffering caused by poor health care. Soon after becoming a doctor, he was struck with rheumatoid arthritis which deformed his hands and left him in constant pain. With meditation, he struggled back. He switched to ophthalmology and designed surgical tools to fit his changed hands. When Dr. V retired at age 58, he set up his own clinic, the Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, with the goal of restoring sight to India's blind. He developed techniques that reduced the costs of performing cataract surgery to less than $10 per patient. Almost two-thirds of Dr. V's patients didn't pay anything at all. In India, a blind person is considered to be "a mouth without hands." Dr. V was responsible for transforming peoples' lives. The Sensitive Style
The Sensitive Style likes routine, habit, and repetition. They are anything but impulsive, and they don't like to rush into things. Rather than knowing a little bit about a lot of things, the Sensitive Style is more interested in knowing a lot of details about a few things. Like the other Heart types, it is important for Sensitives to be connected with others. They need the approval of others to feel good about themselves. But they only want a few important people in their lives to be close. Too many people make them nervous. Stress occurs when they are criticized and when they are forced to handle too many unfamiliar situations. Beth March is a good representative of the Sensitive Style. Beth was one of the four sisters in Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women, published in 1868. Unlike Jo, her adventurous sister, Beth liked to stay at home and was most comfortable alone with her piano. She was the quiet one, sweet and gentle, happy to look after Marmee while the other girls went about their tasks. When events occur that bring about Beth's illness, the reader is struck by how the careful construction of Beth's secure world was not enough to keep out the infection that eventually ends her life. More New Personality Self-Portrait Descriptions:  |
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Tender-hearted and giving, this style is happiest in providing care and nurturing to others. Members of this group are committed to long-term relationships, togetherness and teamwork. They place a high value on attachment, happy in the role of encouraging supporter.
Intensely committed to meeting life head on, this style takes action to make its dreams a reality. They wear their emotions on their sleeves, seeking the highs of passionate romance. This unconstrained style is a risk-taker, imaginative, curious, uninhibited, and engaging.
Accepting and humble, this style is nonjudgmental, ethical, honest, and trustworthy. Its members are often on a mission to give the best of themselves to a worthy cause. They are gentle, if a bit naïve. Diligent and motivated, their goal is to serve. They stay out of the limelight and don't need thanks.
This style is most concerned with emotional security, which is created by staying close to home and family. Its members value privacy and routine while approaching others with a polite reserve. They care about others' opinions of themselves and do not handle criticism or discord well.