Welcome back to Beyond Personality Types, the podcast where we push past personality type labels and dive deep into practical frameworks for understanding human behavior. In this episode, hosts Linda Berens and Olivier Caudron continue their exploration of the Interaction Styles lens—a powerful approach for recognizing the subtle patterns that shape how we engage with the world and each other.
Today, you'll discover four distinct patterns of interaction: In Charge, Get Things Going, Chart the Course, and Behind the Scenes. Linda and Olivier break down what drives each style, from the need to accomplish and move things forward, to a passion for involving others, an instinct to anticipate and prepare, and the desire to integrate perspectives for the best possible outcome. They share real-life examples and team dynamics, making it easy for you to spot these patterns at work, at home, or within yourself.
Whether you’re a seasoned type practitioner or just starting your journey, this episode delivers practical wisdom and fresh insight to help you honor the diversity of interaction styles—so you can foster greater understanding, compassion, and effectiveness in any group. Let's go beyond type results and discover what truly shapes our behaviors and experiences.
00:00 Drive and Motivation in Leadership
03:45 Meeting Leadership and Team Dynamics
08:27 "Structured Planning and Focused Action"
10:22 Integrative Leadership Style Explained
15:14 Optimizing Platform for Best Results
19:06 Respecting Diverse Interaction Styles
1. Introduction to the Episode
Introduction of hosts (Linda Berens and Olivier Caudron).
Overview of the podcast’s purpose: moving beyond personality indicator results.
Framing of the episode: focusing on the Interaction Styles lens.
Promise of key takeaways: recognizing four patterns in interaction styles for increased self-awareness and understanding.
2. The Four Interaction Styles Framework: Big Picture Overview
Explanation of the Interaction Styles as practical patterns in behavior.
The importance of identifying the core needs and drives behind each style.
How recognizing these patterns can help in team environments and personal growth.
3. In-Depth Exploration of Each Interaction Style
a. In Charge Pattern
b. Get Things Going Pattern
c. Chart the Course Pattern
d. Behind the Scenes Pattern
4. Practical Implications: Observing and Applying Interaction Styles
How these patterns appear in team settings and group dynamics.
Recognizing interaction styles in public figures or news events.
The importance of looking beyond surface behavior to underlying drives.
Strategies for practitioners: respecting differences, timing, energy, and creating inclusive environments.
Value of honoring and leveraging interaction styles for group effectiveness and harmony.
5. Recap and Practical Wisdom for Practitioners
Summary of each pattern’s strengths and core needs:
In Charge: drive for results
Welcome back to Beyond Personality Types, the podcast where we push past personality type labels and dive deep into practical frameworks for understanding human behavior. In this episode, hosts Linda Berens and Olivier Caudron continue their exploration of the Interaction Styles lens—a powerful approach for recognizing the subtle patterns that shape how we engage with the world and each other.
Today, you'll discover four distinct patterns of interaction: In Charge, Get Things Going, Chart the Course, and Behind the Scenes. Linda and Olivier break down what drives each style, from the need to accomplish and move things forward, to a passion for involving others, an instinct to anticipate and prepare, and the desire to integrate perspectives for the best possible outcome. They share real-life examples and team dynamics, making it easy for you to spot these patterns at work, at home, or within yourself.
Whether you’re a seasoned type practitioner or just starting your journey, this episode delivers practical wisdom and fresh insight to help you honor the diversity of interaction styles—so you can foster greater understanding, compassion, and effectiveness in any group. Let's go beyond type results and discover what truly shapes our behaviors and experiences.
00:00 Drive and Motivation in Leadership
03:45 Meeting Leadership and Team Dynamics
08:27 "Structured Planning and Focused Action"
10:22 Integrative Leadership Style Explained
15:14 Optimizing Platform for Best Results
19:06 Respecting Diverse Interaction Styles
1. Introduction to the Episode
Introduction of hosts (Linda Berens and Olivier Caudron).
Overview of the podcast’s purpose: moving beyond personality indicator results.
Framing of the episode: focusing on the Interaction Styles lens.
Promise of key takeaways: recognizing four patterns in interaction styles for increased self-awareness and understanding.
2. The Four Interaction Styles Framework: Big Picture Overview
Explanation of the Interaction Styles as practical patterns in behavior.
The importance of identifying the core needs and drives behind each style.
How recognizing these patterns can help in team environments and personal growth.
3. In-Depth Exploration of Each Interaction Style
a. In Charge Pattern
b. Get Things Going Pattern
c. Chart the Course Pattern
d. Behind the Scenes Pattern
4. Practical Implications: Observing and Applying Interaction Styles
How these patterns appear in team settings and group dynamics.
Recognizing interaction styles in public figures or news events.
The importance of looking beyond surface behavior to underlying drives.
Strategies for practitioners: respecting differences, timing, energy, and creating inclusive environments.
Value of honoring and leveraging interaction styles for group effectiveness and harmony.
5. Recap and Practical Wisdom for Practitioners
Summary of each pattern’s strengths and core needs:
In Charge: drive for results
Welcome to "Beyond Personality Types," where we invite you to step outside the confines of typical typology tools and explore the artistry behind personality theory. In this premiere episode of our special series on Interaction Styles, hosts Dr. Linda Berens—internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work in typology—and Olivier Caudron, self-discovery facilitator, take you on a journey into the origins and evolution of the Interaction Styles framework.
Discover why some people naturally take charge while others shine from behind the scenes, and learn how focusing on holistic patterns—rather than isolated traits—can transform your understanding of personality. Linda takes us back to the foundational moments of Interaction Styles, revealing its connections with popular models like DISC and Social Styles, and unpacking the process of creating, validating, and continually refining this lens for real-world practice.
Whether you’re a practitioner seeking fresh ways to support growth in clients and teams, or an enthusiast curious about the deeper layers of type, this series promises to open your mind to what personality theory can truly offer. Get ready to rethink, experiment, and bring a new level of nuance to your conversations about type. Let's go beyond personality types—together.
00:00 Exploring Interaction Styles in Depth
05:25 Understanding Personality: Four Social Styles
06:26 Reimagining Myers-Briggs: New Type Names
10:47 Personality Type Stereotypes Analysis
15:39 Body Language Reveals Personality Traits
18:27 "Exploring Evolving Interaction Styles"
20:15 Exploring Interaction Styles Series
1. Introduction to the Podcast and Series
Overview of Beyond Personality Types and its purpose
Introduction of hosts: Olivier Caudron and Dr. Linda Berens
Clarification of podcast goals: going beyond MBTI and mainstream frameworks
Explanation of the series focus on Interaction Styles
2. The Origins of Interaction Styles
Early days of type exploration and involvement with personality models
Initial experience with DISC and its perceived limitations
Comparison of DISC, social styles, and Myers-Briggs type code
Influence of Robert Bolton and Dorothy Grover Bolton's work (People Styles at Work)
Experimentation with mapping MBTI types onto the four social and DISC styles
3. Clustering and Naming the Four Patterns
Inspiration from Kersey’s approach to clustering MBTI types
Identification of four patterns: Improviser, Stabilizer, Theorist, Catalyst
Development of new names for interaction styles based on user-friendliness
In Charge (correlating to Driver/High D in DISC)
Chart the Course (correlating to Analytical/C in DISC)
Behind the Scenes (correlating to Amiable/S in DISC)
Get Things Going (correlating to Expressive/I in DISC)
4. Validating and Refining the Framework
Writing and testing descriptions for each pattern
Conducting field experiments at type conferences and workshops