Four Personality Types and the Words That Motivate Them

Before you can learn to persuade, you'll need to understand the psychology of human motivation. What makes a person tick? What makes a person take risks? What makes a person try alternatives? What makes a person want to expand a comfort zone?

Psychologists have identified four distinct personality types: Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Melancholic and Choleric. Everyone leans towards one of these types. If you can learn to understand what excites, motivates, irritates and frustrates these different personality types, you'll be well on your way to helping people to listen to you. So you should probably consider how each personality type reacts to words, and attempt to use words that each type responds to well.

As Words

Sanguine personalities agree to take action when they believe the action will give them approval, attention, or fun. Choleric personalities agree to take action when they believe the action will help them to achieve their goals, save them time, or give them control over their destiny. Melancholic personalities agree to take action only after they've analyzed all options and observed all data. They like to organize their thoughts, reach obvious conclusions and live an orderly life. And finally, phlegmatic personalities agree to take action only when they believe that the action will benefit those they love, keep people happy, make situations run smoothly and bring harmony into the lives of everyone around them.

Here are a few words that motivate each personality type:

Sanguine

Fantastic

Fun

Wonderful

Recognition

Awesome

Easy

Picture this

You want it?

Looks great

Latest thing

Phlegmatic

Help

No hurry

No risk

Trust

Reliable

Promise

Secure

Comfortable

Try it out

Step-by-step

Choleric

Now

Immediate

Try it

Fast

Results

What do you think?

Today

Cutting edge

Get it done

Right away

Melancholic

Guarantee

Evidence

Analysis

Research

Experts

Logic

Proof

Data shows

Think

Does it make sense?

Give these words a try, and you'll be amazed at how effective they are. But be careful, if you use Choleric words on Phlegmatic people, you'll only make them nervous. If you use Sanguine words on Melancholic people, their brains may not compute. If you use Melancholic words on Sanguine people, you'll never keep their attention. And if you try Phlegmatic words on Choleric people, they'll think you're wasting their time. However, if you can learn to speak the languages of the various types correctly, your words will have amazing impact...

Four Personality Types and the Words That Motivate Them