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 another episode of Beyond Personality Types, where we invite you to journey past the surface-level results of popular personality assessments and into the deeper processes of self-discovery. In today’s conversation, your host Olivier Caudron sits down with Dr. Linda Berens—an internationally renowned expert in typology—to explore the contrasts and connections between the widely recognized Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the more holistic InterStrength approach.
Have you ever wondered if there’s more to personality than just test results? This episode peels back the layers, moving beyond labels to reveal the complexity and richness of individual patterns. Linda shares her decades of experience, illustrating how personality types are best unveiled through multi-faceted exploration, personal reflection, and open dialogue, rather than by simply relying on assessments.
Whether you’re a seasoned type practitioner or just beginning to explore personality theory, you’ll find practical insights into guiding clients—and yourself—toward greater self-awareness. With an emphasis on ethical practices, multiple data points, and tools for true discovery, this episode empowers you to support others with more clarity, depth, and respect for human diversity.
If you’re ready to rethink how you approach personality and help others discover what truly fits, settle in. This discussion is about moving from tests to insights, from indicators to real understanding, and ultimately, unveiling what lies beneath the surface.
00:00 Beyond Personality Podcast
06:08 Myers-Briggs Reliability Questioned
07:03 Misinterpretation of Psychological Assessments
13:15 "Mindset's Role in Instrument Accuracy"
14:23 Motivation Patterns vs. Myers-Briggs
20:05 "Skill, Temperament, and Job Suitability"
23:59 Understanding Interaction Styles in Work
25:46 Beyond Labels: Personalized Self-Discovery
28:23 "Stay Curious Until Next Time"
Host introduction and podcast mission.
Overview: comparing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the InterStrength Approach.
Importance of moving beyond surface-level personality type results.
Linda’s personal journey with temperament and MBTI.
Early experiences with type instruments in the 1980s.
Community and organizational context: Association for Psychological Type vs. MBTI.
Issues with relying solely on MBTI or self-report results.
Concept of “best fit” vs. test-assigned type.
Anecdotal evidence: the story of Andrea and reconsidering her type.
Discussion of test reliability, validity, and common misconceptions about MBTI being a test vs. an indicator.
Transition from instrument-driven to self-discovery approaches.
Processes for identifying best-fit pattern using multiple data points.
The role of group dynamics and feedback in self-discovery.
Use of stories, analogies (lik