Neurolinguistic programming: temperament and character types
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0306206 (Published 01 June 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:0306206
- Joanne Walter, master practitioner of the American Board of Neurolinguistic Programming1,
- Ardeshir Bayat, specialist registrar in plastic surgery and MRC fellow2
- 1Transgenomic, The Quadrangle, Crewe Hall, Weston Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6UZ
- 2University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT
In our first article we explained the background to neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and concentrated on relating tools within the discipline that could be used to improve communication.1
Now we want to explain how knowing about temperament and character types may help us understand the personality differences that we encounter in everyday life, which might lead to an improved understanding of our individual strengths and weaknesses, why we consciously behave in the way we do, and why we have chosen one particular professional or personal role. This also means that we should be able to determine if the precise career we have chosen in medicine is in fact the most appropriate for our individual skill set and character type. Obtaining information about character and temperament may allow you to make more informed decisions about future job changes and the progression of your career.
Determining a character type
There are many specialties in medicine and individual niches in the health service. It is important for job satisfaction that you ultimately spend time in the role that you find most fulfilling. Do you ever feel that your skills are underused? Do you ever think that maybe life might be more rewarding if you had a different job? Understanding your temperament and character type may unlock a whole range of career possibilities for you.
Although people may be driven by similar instincts, we are different in many fundamental ways. Several different tests have been devised …
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