TYPE
FOUR: THE INDIVIDUALIST
Fours
believe that the individual, and one’s individual ability to express
oneself in a personally authentic way, is of the utmost importance. In
the workplace, the Four believes that an organization’s success
depends on its ability to foster the unique, creative contributions of
the individuals in its workplace. Correspondingly, they believe that:
- the human side of an organization should have the
highest priority
- individuality should be encouraged and respected
- self-expression will enrich the workplace
These beliefs reflect an underlying set of values
that focus on creative expression, authenticity, individuality, and
beauty. At high functioning levels, they are very attuned to their own
and others' feelings and inner impulses. This sensitivity to other
people's feelings guides them to be gentle, compassionate and tactful
in all situations. They are highly intuitive and insightful about
other people's motives and authenticity. They are emotionally open and
honest, and have an ironic view of themselves and of life. This is
expressed sometimes seriously, and oftentimes humorously, but always
with honesty. It is important to the Four that he or she be unique,
and it’s in the Four's search for discovery of that uniqueness that
their creative self-expression becomes a real contribution and a
highly developed gift.
As sensitive, "heart" people who strive
for originality, Fours will tend to avoid the ordinary, and may react
to what they see as ordinary or plebeian in rather unorthodox ways.
They tend to exhibit behaviors that express their feelings in
aesthetic or dramatic ways. The various arts, poetry, writing, or mode
of dress become vehicles of self-expression. Fantasy and reality may
tend to overlap. Like Shakespeare's line, "The play is the
thing", a metaphor can become more real to a Four than that thing
which it represents. Feelings are a primary focus, and Fours are often
accused of being hypersensitive to others. This happens most
frequently when innocuous comments by others may be misinterpreted by
the Four as a personal attack. Fours are subjective types who tend to
interiorize things; they will often withdraw into themselves to sort
out their feelings about an issue. They begin to see themselves as
different from others and feel that nobody understands them.
Fours grow when they shift their focus from within
to look outside themselves with a more objective view. When they learn
to appreciate the beauty in commonplace things, their appreciation is
deeper and longer lasting. Shifting from their heart to their
objective head allows them to focus more on physical tasks, rather
than emotional issues.
At their best, Fours are extremely creative and
have a sense for beauty and an original view that is profound. They
see and develop creative possibilities that others would pass over.
They encourage individual contribution so that creative solutions can
emerge from the most complex problems.
