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 Carpenter
and Miller.
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 Engineer-Builder
might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time.
Your overriding goal is to stick with the plan and get the
job done. "If it ain't broken don't fix it." is your motto.
You provide structure and stability to your world. Your
procedures are predictable and dependable. Your methods are
proven and tested. You offer results not surprises. On the
positive side, you are practical, just, realistic, pragmatic
and rational. On the negative side, you may be dogmatic,
rigid, short-sighted, indecisive and unimaginative.
Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in
today's corporate kingdoms.
