Ohio National Financial Services, T.E.A.M. Dynamics, Course III, Managing Diverse Personalities and Personality-Based Conflict

The following parable illustrates the phenomena of personality-influenced perceptions and their role in conflict.

Johnny and his four friends were riding their bicycles when Johnny fell down. Here is how his four friends responded to the situation:

The next day at school, Johnny's four friends gave their idiosyncratic accounts of what had happened:

TOGETHERNESS FRIEND: "I really wonder if these are people I want to be friends with. When Johnny falls off his bike, one person yells at him to get up, another criticizes him and another laughs at him. Those people have no sensitivity."
ENTERPRISER FRIEND: "Johnny is such a klutz! Just because he can't ride a bike, we're late and end up with the worst seats. Next time he doesn't get invited."
ANALYZER FRIEND: "Johnny is so careless. I still think he should go see the doctor. Sometimes these internal traumas kick in late. I mean, I've heard of people dying."
MOTIVATOR FRIEND: "It was hilarious! He goes flying, does a flip. I give him a '10'—Olympic quality. There was blood everywhere!"

The Moral of the Story

We often think conflict arises because we can't agree on a solution. Johnny's story illustrates that, because of core personality, we have trouble just agreeing on what happened—even when we all witness the same event.

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Parable

Johnny Falls Down

The Moral of the Story


Parable Johnny Falls Down The following parable illustrates the phenomena of personality-influenced perceptions and their role in conflict. Johnny and his four friends were riding their bicycles when Johnny fell down. Here is how his four friends responded to the situation: TOGETHERNESS FRIEND: "Are you okay? Can I help you?" ENTERPRISER FRIEND: "Where did you learn to ride a bike? Hurry up, we're going to be late!" ANALYZER FRIEND: "You'd better not move. You could have an internal injury. You know, you wouldn't have fallen off if your shoe had been tied." MOTIVATOR FRIEND: "That was cool! Did you see that flip? Unbelievable!" The next day at school, Johnny's four friends gave their idiosyncratic accounts of what had happened: TOGETHERNESS FRIEND: "I really wonder if these are people I want to be friends with. When Johnny falls off his bike, one person yells at him to get up, another criticizes him and another laughs at him. Those people have no sensitivity." ENTERPRISER FRIEND: "Johnny is such a klutz! Just because he can't ride a bike, we're late and end up with the worst seats. Next time he doesn't get invited." ANALYZER FRIEND: "Johnny is so careless. I still think he should go see the doctor. Sometimes these internal traumas kick in late. I mean, I've heard of people dying." MOTIVATOR FRIEND: "It was hilarious! He goes flying, does a flip. I give him a '10'—Olympic quality. There was blood everywhere!" The Moral of the Story We often think conflict arises because we can't agree on a solution. Johnny's story illustrates that, because of core personality, we have trouble just agreeing on what happened—even when we all witness the same event. Back \| Top \| Home \| Next Ohio National is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse or sponsor, any particular prospecting, marketing or selling system.