A different kind of personality test

[TenthAveN]

A lot of people do Meyers-Briggs or Enneagram. Both can be accurate, but there are questions that are hard to answer because the answer you want is not there.

Dr. John Trent created this personality test based on four animals: A lion, an otter, a golden retriever, and a beaver.

My directors at the Baptist camp I used to work at had us take this test almost every year for Summer orientation. After everyone had their results, our bosses would have us separate based on which animal we identified with most, and then explained to us the positives and flaws of each animal. They also explained to us how each type is essential to the team.

I figured at least some of you would be interested, if you never heard of it prior. I always tested highly in golden retriever, but it was interesting to see how much the results changed year by year. I saw more otter and slightly more lion showing up, possibly as a result of me coming out of my shell. I’ll post the link below.

4 Animals Personality Test - Focus on the Family

 

[bèlla]

I get the gist but the method they used is quirky. Nevertheless its neat.

I’m a lion and a lot of the feedback is accurate. But there are nuances I’ll point out. We’re swift decision-makers. It doesn’t mean we lack the facts. Once we have the information we pull the trigger.

We don’t enjoy talking things to death or going over something a million times. We like results. We’re problem solvers. We probe for a purpose. Not for the sake of knowledge. We use what we learn.

Lions aren’t non inclusive. They work best with those who operate at a similar pace. If you take a long to time to make decisions, express yourself, or acknowledge your feelings it can be problematic for someone with that personality.

Driven people apply speed towards their goals and interests. But there’s a counterbalance no one discusses. Downtime and leisure are equally important. Some work hard and play hard but they get their play in. Often more frequently than the norm.

Dating women with this personality can be challenging. I know several. They’re married and believers. But their men don’t stand in their way. Some chided their business pursuits and they responded by retiring him. Now he works for her or pursues his own venture. Two are building breweries.

Some people are uncomfortable walking in another’s shadow. Especially a woman’s. Their ego won’t allow it. Women have to find supportive suitors who won’t compete or throttle them.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[TenthAveN]

I get the gist but the method they used is quirky. Nevertheless its neat.

I’m a lion and a lot of the feedback is accurate. But there are nuances I’ll point out. We’re swift decision-makers. It doesn’t mean we lack the facts. Once we have the information we pull the trigger.

We don’t enjoy talking things to death or going over something a million times. We like results. We’re problem solvers. We probe for a purpose. Not for the sake of knowledge. We use what we learn.

Lions aren’t non inclusive. They work best with those who operate at a similar pace. If you take a long to time to make decisions, express yourself, or acknowledge your feelings it can be problematic for someone with that personality.

Driven people apply speed towards their goals and interests. But there’s a counterbalance no one discusses. Downtime and leisure are equally important. Some work hard and play hard but they get their play in. Often more frequently than the norm.

Dating women with this personality can be challenging. I know several. They’re married and believers. But their men don’t stand in their way. Some chided their business pursuits and they responded by retiring him. Now he works for her or pursues his own venture. Two are building breweries.

Some people are uncomfortable walking in another’s shadow. Especially a woman’s. Their ego won’t allow it. Women have to find supportive suitors who won’t compete or throttle them.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Lion would’ve been my first guess for you. Your personality very much seeps through your posts, which I think is a good thing.

 

[bèlla]

Lion would’ve been my first guess for you. Your personality very much seeps through your posts, which I think is a good thing.

I see traces of the others but not enough to fall squarely in that camp. If you look at otter you’ll see a LOT of bella. However, I’m a finisher and don’t take risks without considering the consequences. And my feelings don’t rule me.

I have more otter and retriever traits in my romantic relationships. I contain the lion where needed. But its always my benchmark.

 

[TenthAveN]

I see traces of the others but not enough to fall squarely in that camp. If you look at otter you’ll see a LOT of bella. However, I’m a finisher and don’t take risks without considering the consequences. And my feelings don’t rule me.

I have more otter and retriever traits in my romantic relationships. I contain the lion where needed. But its always my benchmark.

I think the retriever is very dominant in my personality, but I can be an otter around certain people. Beaver traits, though few, become magnified when I’m working, somewhat due to my OCD, so I wouldn’t consider it natural. I also become a lion as needed, like when I’m working and people are just all over the place with no structure.

 

[bèlla]

I think the retriever is very dominant in my personality, but I can be an otter around certain people. Beaver traits, though few, become magnified when I’m working, somewhat due to my OCD, so I wouldn’t consider it natural. I also become a lion as needed, like when I’m working and people are just all over the place with no structure.

Does your otter come out when you’re comfortable?

I see beaver in my approach to accomplishing goals. I’m methodical and persistent. But I don’t get bogged down in details.

That’s the primary reason I work with coaches. They do the heavy lifting and devise a system. I tweak it for my needs. Which saves time. I don’t have to build it. I can give attention to the main thing and outsource the rest. That’s the goal.

I’m like the retriever in intimate connections. You’ll see slivers in my posts but it isn’t something I display without a close bond. You’ll see the retriever and otter most in my conversations with @cara-mia. The lion isn’t my default with her.

 

[TenthAveN]

Does your otter come out when you’re comfortable?

I see beaver in my approach to accomplishing goals. I’m methodical and persistent. But I don’t get bogged down in details.

That’s the primary reason I work with coaches. They do the heavy lifting and devise a system. I tweak it for my needs. Which saves time. I don’t have to build it. I can give attention to the main thing and outsource the rest. That’s the goal.

I’m like the retriever in intimate connections. You’ll see slivers in my posts but it isn’t something I display without a close bond. You’ll see the retriever and otter most in my conversations with @cara-mia. The lion isn’t my default with her.

I try to maintain close connections with all of my friends, it’s difficult to say any particular person is my best friend. I’m an otter when I’m with my friends, but when I’m somewhere unfamiliar, I’m more reserved.

 

[bèlla]

I try to maintain close connections with all of my friends, it’s difficult to say any particular person is my best friend. I’m an otter when I’m with my friends, but when I’m somewhere unfamiliar, I’m more reserved.

I have best friends. But I relate hierarchically. That isn’t the norm for women. Most prefer flat structures. They want to be equal.

The upsides are plentiful. I don’t share the same information with everyone. That minimizes gossip, jealousy, and breaches. If something gets out I know who told it.

Now I tier disclosures according to strengths and comfort. I tell them what they can handle and excel at. The person who gives wise relational advice will hear that more than most.

My family sits atop of the heap. I trust them more than anyone.

 

[public hermit]

I'm definitely a beaver, with a touch of golden retriever. Oh well, I wanted to be a lion because lions are cool!

 

[DragonFox91]

I'm mix of G & B, probably have become more G as I've matured.

 

[TenthAveN]

I'm mix of G & B, probably have become more G as I've matured.

I think many who consider themselves introverts will be dominantly G.

 

[TenthAveN]

I'm definitely a beaver, with a touch of golden retriever. Oh well, I wanted to be a lion because lions are cool!

I love dogs, so I’m fine with mine lol.

 

[DragonFox91]

I think many who consider themselves introverts will be dominantly G.

I'd think introverts would be dominantly B. As I've matured, I've become more relationship-focused, so have become more G.

 

[TenthAveN]

I'd think introverts would be dominantly B. As I've matured, I've become more relationship-focused, so have become more G.

Every year I worked at that camp, beavers were the minority. We rarely had more than 5 out of 60-100 summer staff. I think a huge difference between G’s and B’s is some nonsense and no-nonsense.

 

[DragonFox91]

Every year I worked at that camp, beavers were the minority. We rarely had more than 5 out of 60-100 summer staff. I think a huge difference between G’s and B’s is some nonsense and no-nonsense.

That makes a ton of sense.

It can depend on the situation too.

 

[bèlla]

I think many who consider themselves introverts will be dominantly G.

I think otters are extroverts. What was the demographic breakdown at the camp?

 

[TenthAveN]

I think otters are extroverts. What was the demographic breakdown at the camp?

As in personality types? There were at least 4 beavers every year, never exceeded ten I don’t think. Otters were dominant (and almost all of them were lifeguards, which I find fitting). There were almost as many retrievers as otters, and I found that they made good team members. There were always at least 10-15 lions, and most of them were leaders, though leadership positions weren’t limited to lions.

 

[bèlla]

As in personality types? There were at least 4 beavers every year, never exceeded ten I don’t think. Otters were dominant (and almost all of them were lifeguards, which I find fitting). There were almost as many retrievers as otters, and I found that they made good team members. There were always at least 10-15 lions, and most of them were leaders, though leadership positions weren’t limited to lions.

My mentor was a lion. I confronted her about her shadow. I didn’t share her dichotomy.

 

[SusaninBC]

I think many who consider themselves introverts will be dominantly G.

I'm definitely an introvert, and I came out as a Golden Retriever, so you may be right.

 

[sampa]

Introvert here but I scored high on the otter. With the beaver right on the tail. But as an infj I'm a borderline extrovert. But I am only the otter when I am in a healthy environment. In an unhealthy environment I'm probably more of the Beaver.