Escaping the Cocoon

by William D. Esteb

From the personality tests I've taken I know that I occupy the quadrant commonly called the "Analytical" or the "Thinker." I've been branded as an individual that tends to weigh the facts when making decisions and is less "emotive" than others. Somehow I became a person that attempts to gather all the facts before going forward. How I became this person or adopted this approach to life, I am not yet certain. And while those who make poor impulse decisions may value the methodical, thought-provoking way I make decisions, it wasn't until recently that I discovered the myopia that my orientation lends to my world view.

Merrill and Reid, the authors of Personal Styles and Effective Performance outline four personality quadrants, Analytical (thinking), Amiable (relationship), Driver (action), and Expressive (intuition). Most of us find ourselves using one of these four styles more than the others in the process of living of our lives. Some of us put a lot of value on how we feel (Expressive) about a particular topic when making decisions. Others make decisions and then later count the costs (Driver). Still others look to the relationships (Amiable) involved when making decisions. And then there are those of us who weigh the facts (Analytical). This orientation significantly shapes our world view, our habits, and our ability to communicate effectively with others.

In the chiropractic profession, the most successful doctors seem to fall into the Expressive quadrant. Their outgoing styles and sensitivity equip them to better communicate their clinical goals and objectives to patients. Patients are extremely responsive to this open conduit. They feel at ease and are more likely to trust someone who is perceived as open, available, and obviously committed to their chiropractic decision.

Doctors who seem to have the most difficulty are those in the Analytical quadrant. Because of the way they value facts and are relentless seekers of the truth, they attend countless technique seminars and are always looking for the best ways to care for their patients. On the corner of their desks can be found countless clinical journals and publications littered with the latest reports and blind studies of this or that. Analyticals commit inordinate amounts of time in a constant search for objectivity and accountability. Their clinical excellence is legendary. Since they are constantly searching for the truth, they often inadvertently tune out the patient. Combined with their lack of obvious emotion, many patients see them as insensitive, distant, or consumed with other matters.

Their reserved show of emotion or constant "internal dialogue" can appear as a sense of tentativeness or cautiousness that raises concerns, even doubts, in the minds of sensitive patients. Because patients often interpret a lack of outward enthusiasm and confidence as disinterest, a doctor's analytical personality style can interfere with a patients' need for reassurance and confidence.

Are doctors of a certain personality profile likely to be more successful? Probably. In the same way Amiables seem to make great caregivers and take charge Drivers seem to make better leaders, our personalities can give us a head start toward success in our chosen field. Can people change? Sure. Yet in stress or a time of crisis we often resort to our fundamental and predisposed personalities.

When audiences attend a seminar, witness a speech, or attend one of my presentations, they are often surprised to learn that I was the Analytical high school "wallflower." Certainly I am living proof that people can change!

I pride myself in being open and confident enough to actively solicit questions during my presentations. I prefer the interruption because a question from the audience (patients) is a valuable form of feedback. When an audience takes on the inanimate features of Mount Rushmore, I get concerned!

Fortunately, the most disarming, caught-me-off-balance question I ever received wasn't during, but after a seminar in Ohio from a doctor who, I had noticed, was lingering towards the back of the room. As I was arranging my notes and preparing to leave the room, he came forward. He had this introspective look on his face and his silence and flat emotional response (Analytical) during the day-long session would normally have led me to believe that he was not enjoying the seminar.

"You mentioned today that the best offices were run by the best communicators," he ventured tentatively, capsulizing the essence of a full three hour presentation. "How does one become a good communicator like you?"

For the first time in a long time I was caught off guard. He had asked a question that was in some ways more pertinent than much of the material I had covered all day. And while I was caught off guard then, here are some ideas I wish I had shared at the time:

1. Know your purpose. Until you know why you've been put on this earth and get alignment with a vision larger than yourself, you will remain in your protective cocoon. The truly happy people I've met are bothered about something and they are often preoccupied with a cause. There are many tools and resources that can help you in the self discovery of your purpose. To be an effective communicator you must have a purpose.

2. Recognize the value of performance. Patients and seminar attendees want to see a doctor and speaker charged up and passionate. Sure, patients want assistance with the healing process and seminar goers have paid for quality information. These expectations are usually fulfilled quickly. The rapport and trust needed for long term relationships must come from obviously communicated confidence and excitement. Once you acknowledge that chiropractic is a performance, you'll discover a new and fulfilling level of therapeutics that transcends the introduction of appropriate thrust along fixated joint planes!

3. Get strength from criticism. The best communicators recognize the importance of feedback loops for confirming that their message is being received and decoded properly. By acquiring the necessary clinical expertise, it is easy to take a non-defensive position when the inevitable criticism arises. There's no need to be "right" all the time. Anyway, it's just somebody's opinion!

4. Know your stuff. It goes without saying that the best in every field have their information down cold. Confidence comes from routinely taking post X-rays. Call the patient after the first adjustment. Confront your most terrifying clinical fears. If you want the confidence to boldly, know your "stuff." Know your limits too! Know when to refer out.

5. Face your greatest fear. Are you one of those who thinks there is such a thing as "security"? Are you afraid what the other doctors in your town will think? Who are you trying to impress? What would you do if they came and took away all your toys? Would your family still love you? Are you postponing the inevitable? Clean up your relationships. Clean out your closets. Be at ease with the world you've created.

6. Get out of your cocoon. Somewhere inside you might be a hurting little boy or girl. Someone who could be happily occupied for hours in the woods, by a creek, or in the backyard sandbox. Was this beautiful child hurt by a smothering mother or an emotionally distant father? Come out of your cocoon. This is your life. Take a deep breath. Soar like a butterfly. Set yourself free! Become!

So while I've learned to be more emotive, I still do it in a somewhat analytical fashion. Sometimes I have to pretend I'm excited about my work. When I have to pretend, I know I've lost sight of the big picture. And then the passion and commitment all come back.

You can change... if you want to.

Buy the book
My Report of Findings
Originally published in 1993
240 Pages
US $24.95

Not a reader? Bill reads his favorite chapters from all 10 books on Bill's Best.