any
years ago there was a period of time that is often casually
called "Medieval." It was a time, so the story tellers tell
us, of tiny kingdoms, brave knights and ferocious
dragons.
ransportation
and travel were both crude and difficult, usually
necessitating that each kingdom be as self sufficient and
self reliant as possible. So it was very important that
within each kingdom all the major crafts and professions of
the day were ably represented to insure the survival of the
kingdom. In the English language we still see remnants of
some occupations in the familiar surnames such as Smith,
Carpenter, Miller and Baker to name just a few.
nterestingly
enough, beyond the specific title the vocation also took on
its own greater personality. This personality preference can
also give a broader understanding of the basic complementary
style and types necessary to the kingdom's survival, or
perhaps any organization's success. Although the specific
vocation influenced the name, it was no accident that
certain personality types and styles gravitated to certain
occupations. The personality of these jobs suited the
inclinations of the job holders, and the predecessor to
modern day job descriptions was born. The successful
matching of a job-holder's personality to the personality
and unique requirements of the job was necessary to the
kingdom's survival, or perhaps any organization's success.
The successful kingdoms more than likely were able to blend
the differences into a powerful and formidable entity. With
today's diverse workforce, the corporate kingdom that
acknowledges and nurtures these personality preferences
could become an organization as successful as the Camelot of
old.
ven
though we now appear to have the freedom to explore many
different career alternatives, we still have a medieval
vocational personality within each of us. This personality,
properly identified and understood, can motivate our success
but, if ignored, may set the stage for our ultimate failure.
Since times appeared to be simpler then, let us return to
the kingdoms of medieval Europe and see what we would have
done then, regardless of what our names are now.
our
distinct personality, The Black Knight,
might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time.
Your overriding goal is to win. You approach each task or
situation as a contest to be won strategically and
efficiently. Because you can control your feelings, it is
not unusual for you to charm, as well as successfully
delegate tasks and responsibilities to the more emotional
types. You are often concerned with what's in it for you.
You seldom involve yourself in activities where you can not
foresee a reward for your investment or effort. On the
positive side, you can be analytically empathic and
logically persuasive. On the negative side, you may be
unemotionally manipulative as well as impulsive.
Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in
today's corporate kingdoms.
