Gary Smalley Personality Types Inventory

(from Making Love Last Forever, Ch. 10: Understanding Personality Types: A Key to Lovability)

How to Take and Score the Inventory

1. For each temperament type, circle the positive traits (in the left column) that sound the

most like you – as you are at home. It will probably help to cover the right hand

column as you take the inventory, to help you focus on the positives. Do not score

yourself as you behave at work. (If you want to evaluate your “at work” tendencies,

take the test again later, with that environment -- or any other – in mind.) For now,

ignore the right hand column.

2. For each trait, add up the number of circled traits (in the left column) and then double

that number. This is your score.

3. To graph your temperament “mix”, mark your score for each temperament type on the

graph with a large dot. If you want, draw a line to connect the dots.

Lion

Temperament Characteristics

Likes authority. ………………...Too direct or demanding

Takes charge……………….…..Pushy; can step in front of

others

Determined. …………………... Overbearing

Confident. …………………..…. Cocky

Firm ………………………...…...Unyielding

Enterprising. ……………..….... Takes big risks

Competitive. ……………….….. Cold blooded

Enjoys challenges. …….…..…..Avoids relations

Problem solver. ………….….... Too busy

Productive. ……….……….…... Overlooks feelings; do it now!

Bold. …………………….……... Insensitive

Purposeful; goal driven…..….... Imbalanced; workaholic

Decision maker. ………….….... Unthoughtful of others' wishes

Adventurous. ………………… .. Impulsive

Strong 'willed …………………...Stubborn

Independent; self reliant ……....Avoids people; seeking help

Controlling. ……………………...Bossy; overbearing

Persistent. ………………….….. Inflexible

Action oriented. ………………...Unyielding

"Let's do it now!"

Lion Score (Double the number circled): ___________

Otter

Temperament Characteristics

Enthusiastic. ……………….…… Overbearing

Takes risks. …………………..… Dangerous and foolish

Visionary …………………….……Daydreamer

Motivator. ……………………..… Manipulator

Energetic. ……………………….. Impatient

Very verbal. ………………………Attacks under pressure

Promoter. ………………………… Exaggerates

Friendly, mixes easily…………… Shallow relationships

Enjoys popularity…………..….…. Too showy

Fun loving. …………………..…… Too flippant; not serious

Likes variety. ………………..…… Too scattered

Spontaneous. ……………….…… Not focused

Enjoys change. ………….……..… Lacks follow through

Creative; goes for new ideas. .…..Too unrealistic; avoids details

Group oriented. ………….….…… Bored with "process"

Optimistic………………….….……Doesn't see details

Initiator. ………………….….…….. Pushy

Infectious laughter……….….…… Obnoxious

Inspirational……………….…..…. Phony

"Trust me! It'll work out!"

Otter score {double the number circled}: _________

Golden Retriever

Temperament Characteristics

Sensitive feelings. ……..…….… Easily hurt

Loyal. ………………………….… Misses opportunities

Calm; even keeled. ……….….… Lacks enthusiasm

Nondemanding ………….…...… Weakling; pushover

Avoids confrontations. .………… Misses honest intimacy

Enjoys routine …………….…..…Stays in rut

Dislikes change. ………….….… Not spontaneous

Warm and relational. …….….… Fewer deep friends

Gives in. ……………….……...… Co-dependent

Accommodating. …….…….…… Indecisive

Cautious humor. ……….….…… Overly cautious

Golden Retriever (contd)

Temperament Characteristics

Adaptable. ……………………..… Loses identity

Sympathetic. ………………..…… Holds on to others' hurts

Thoughtful. …………….………… Can be taken advantage of

Nurturing. …………….………..… Ears get smashed

Patient. …………………………… Crowded out by others

Tolerant. ………………….……… Weaker convictions

Good listener. …………………… Attracted to hurting people

Peacemaker. ………………….… Holds personal hurts inside

"Let's keep things the way they are."

Golden retriever score (double the number circled): _____

Beaver

Temperament Characteristics

Reads all instructions. ….….…… Afraid to break rules

Accurate………………….………. Too critical

Consistent. ……………….……… Lacks spontaneity

Controlled. ……………….……… Too serious

Reserved …………………………Stuffy

Predictable. ……………………… Lacks variety

Practical. ………………………… Not adventurous

Orderly…………………….……… Rigid

Factual…………………….…..….. Picky

Conscientious. …………….…..… Inflexible

Perfectionistic …………….………Controlling

Discerning. ………………….…… Negative on new opportunities

Detailed. …………………….…… Rarely finishes a project

Analytical. …………………………Loses overview

Inquisitive……………………...…. Smothering

Precise. ……………………..…… Strict

Persistent …………….………...…Pushy

Scheduled. …………………….… Boring

Sensitive. ……………………...… Stubborn

"How was it done in the past ?"

Beaver score (double the number circled): __________

 

 

Charting the Results

L               O                  GR                          B

40---------------------------------------------------------------------------------40

35---------------------------------------------------------------------------------35

30---------------------------------------------------------------------------------30

25---------------------------------------------------------------------------------25

20---------------------------------------------------------------------------------20

15---------------------------------------------------------------------------------15

10---------------------------------------------------------------------------------10

5---------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

0---------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

How did you do? Remember this isn’t a pass-fail test. This evaluation simply

shows your tendencies and traits. As you look at your charted score, you may

see a blend of all four categories. That’s fine. Or you may see two scores

significantly higher than the others. Or you may have one category that’s head

and shoulders above the other three. No none pattern is “correct.”

Now take note of the right-hand column extreme for each of your circled

characteristics. This might be how your positive traits are perceived by your

family or friends.

Lions are leaders, decisive, bottom line, problem-solvers, not conversational.

Otters are fun-loving, entertainers, net workers, motivators, creative, talkers.

Retrievers are loving, nurturing, loyal, good listeners, encouragers.

Beavers are hard-working, detailed, accurate, focused on quality.

Consciously work to become more aware of your natural tendencies. Go for a

healthy balance, tempering any extreme problem area, focus on your

strengths and learn to cultivate the strengths of less dominant personality

traits.

Some suggestions for each personality type:

Lions: Be softer and more gentle and include others when making decisions.

Otters: Think before you speak, and consider consequences before you act.

Retrievers: Practice saying no and making firm decisions.

Beavers: Learn to relax and don’t expect others to do things just like you.

For a more in depth study on personality development, please read

The Two Sides of Love, Gary Smalley and John Trent.