Assessment 101
by Glenn Stevenson

In the October issue of Insights, we began a series on assessments that coaches use to understand their clients better and to help their clients understand themselves.  This month, we continue the series with a look at the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II.

This assessment yields a similar four-letter code as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which we examined in October.  However, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II is purported to measure temperament “hardwired from birth” instead of a person’s preferences on cognitive processes.  Still, the outcomes on the MBTI and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II are highly correlated, and which instrument a practitioner uses can depend on personal preferences.

Besides the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II, last month Insights profiled the DiSC.  In future months, we will provide reviews of the Enneagram, Birkman Method, Personal Style Indicator, Peoplemap, Real Colors, MAPP, OSI Polaris 360, Cerny Smith Adjustment Index, and Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.

Assessment: Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II

Description:  Assesses an individual’s temperament (one’s disposition “hardwired from birth”) to build strong, lasting ties with others in one’s personal life and/or to help determine one’s natural role and functions within an organization.  Distinguishes four major temperaments and four types within each temperament.  The four temperaments are:

Artisans:  People wired to seize freedom and spontaneity.  They hunger to act on their impulses, to play, and to create.

Guardians:  People who seek to belong to a group.  They stabilize relationships through their responsible, conventional behavior.

Rationals:  People wired to acquire competence and intelligence.  They strive to learn, know, predict, and control resources and ideas.

Idealists:  People wired to pursue personal growth, authenticity, and integrity.  They yearn to develop fully as individuals and to facilitate others’ growth.

Certification:  Not required.  However, certification is available through Advisor Team http://www.advisorteam.org/ either on line or through in-person workshops.

Cost of Training/Certification:

• In-person workshop:  $995 per person
• On-line self-study:  $495 + $150 materials fee

Cost of Instrument Once Trained:

• Approximately $30 for on-line assessments

Other Info:  Both individual and team reports are available through the on-line assessment.

Glenn Stevenson. Ph.D., is a life coach and career transition coach who specializes in self-confidence, relationships coaching, and helping people find the work that they love.  He specializes in people’s sense of self and their finding satisfaction in who they are and what they do.  He may be contacted at glenn@myselfsense.com, 714-468-9963, www.myselfsense.com