What is temperament?

Temperament is the part of personality that we are born with. It reflects biological, hard-wired tendencies and preferences that make up our outlook and interests. As we develop, our environment and experiences further shape our patterns of behavior.

For example, Muhammad Ali, Mark Twain, Alexander Calder, Salvador Dali, and Victor Borge all had ENTP temperaments at birth, but their environments and experiences led them to different careers. Regardless of their learned skills, each of them used their ENTP temperament to be innovative, inventing new methods to achieve their goals.

  • Muhammad Ali introduced the “Ali Shuffle” and the rope-a-dope strategy to become the first boxer to win three world heavyweight champion titles.

Next
Back

  • Mark Twain was the first author to write dialogue using incomplete words, slang, and broken grammar to capture the way people actually spoke.

  • Alexander Calder invented wire sculptures and sculptures that moved.

  • Salvador Dali created strange images in his art and made a career out of looking peculiar and behaving in odd ways.

  • Victor Borge combined his talent for classical music with silly behavior and witty jokes to create unique entertainment.