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! In today's episode, "Navigating Typology Criticisms: Insights for Practitioners and Enthusiasts," we'll explore the criticisms surrounding popular personality assessments like the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Enneagram, and the Big 5. From questions of scientific validity to concerns about cultural bias, these tools have faced their fair share of scrutiny. Hosts Olivier Caudron and Linda Berens delve into how these assessments can be misused and misunderstood, offering strategies to use them more effectively and ethically. Whether you're a practitioner looking to enhance your practice or simply curious about the debate, this episode has valuable insights for you. Join us as we navigate these controversies and aim to better understand the holistic patterns of human behavior.
MBTI criticism, personality assessments, Enneagram, Big 5, scientific validation, cultural bias, misuse of MBTI, personality type preferences, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, ethical usage, self discovery process, temperament patterns, personality typology, accuracy of MBTI, personality type practitioners, holistic patterns, contextual self, career coaching, assessment tools, type practitioners, scientific grounding, validity studies, personality label issues, self awareness, ethical considerations, personality wizard, reliability of MBTI, type verification, developmental stages, personality awareness, type patterns.
00:00 Criticisms of psychological testing, misuse, and accuracy.
03:54 Practitioners should allow choice in behaviors.
06:33 Validity studies are challenging, require narrative descriptions.
10:52 Gary Hartzler and Margaret Arstler's type work.
16:49 Acceptance of result affects relationships, type patterns.
19:49 Setting the frame for instrument use.
22:14 Assessment approach at Inner Strength lacks labels.
24:42 Personality typology systems are valuable but complex.
Introduction
- Importance of ethical use of personality assessments.
- Discussion on criticisms faced by assessment tools such as MBTI.
Criticisms of Personality Assessment Tools
- Misuse in hiring, firing, and personal relationships.
- Legal concerns.
- Misinterpretation and misuse by practitioners.
- Issues of accuracy.
- Inconsistent results across different attempts.
- Situational responses affecting results.
- Negative impact of categorization.
- Resistance to being boxed in.
- Risk of self-limitation.
Effective Use of Personality Assessments
- Best practices in administering assessments.
- Framing and setup.
- Ensuring confidentiality.
- Follow-up sessions for feedback and verification.
- The importance of understanding patterns and processes.
- Influence of context on answering assessments.
- Addressing developmental and situational changes in individuals.
Case Studies and Anecdotal Evidence
- Linda Berens’ experience with inaccuracies in MBTI results.
- Group exercises revealing misfits with initial assessments.
- Need for experiential dives into the context.
- Real-life examples of shifted self-identification.
- Impact of accurate self-discovery.
- Role of comprehensive feedback in accurate type identification.