noblwish | Four Types of People in Social Interactions

Swing a dead cat and you'll hit a personality test. They've been around for ages. The "most accurate" changes every few years. For the record, I've been designated a Sanguine on one and an EN[F/T]P on another. I don't think I've taken the newest and "greatest," yet.

But this isn't about any of that, not really. It's about something I discovered for myself in Second Grade, and expanded on in late-Middle/early-High School. I'm about to share with you my views on the Four Types of People in Social Interactions.

First, of course, you have Leaders. Next, naturally, are the Followers. These two have a symbiotic relationship. Third (ironically, since this is the type I discovered last) are what I call "Groupies." No, not the kind that sleep with celebrities. Finally, there's the rarest type in the world, and I'm one of them... the Mavericks.

Leaders possess a talent for observing a situation, analyzing it, deciding the best course of action and following it with conviction. What's more, they are charismatic enough to inspire others to follow them, especially the Followers. They are compelled to attract followers -- they NEED them, or else they lose their direction.

Followers are kind of like worker bees. They NEED someone to tell them what to do. They aren't stupid or weak, necessarily. They just lack the drive, or maybe the confidence, to take the first step. Given a goal and a little instruction, they can build World Wonders!

Groupies are the ultimate team-players! They decide everything in committee, very democratically. They take their time to discuss and weigh the options and collect a majority consensus. Sometimes, though, they can get lost in the details.

Mavericks are... different. Like Leaders, they can observe, analyze, decide and sally forth with conviction -- but they don't particularly care if anyone else follows. They often possess a healthy charisma, so sometimes they can convince others to follow them, but they lack the compulsion to DEMAND loyalty. They can follow a Leader for a while, if the Leader manages to convince them that they are WORTH following. One step off the logical path, and a Maverick will likely wonder off -- usually quietly, sometimes a little dramatically, if there's something or someone they really care about involved. They can't just stand by and watch someone they love hurt themselves by making bad choices, or refusing to make good ones. If nobody listens, they'll eventually just #PeaceOut. Mavericks CAN work with a team, as long as the team doesn't lose an advantage by getting bogged down in minutia. Mavericks can be a little... impatient.

When I was in First Grade, I moved back to my hometown and rejoined my toddlerhood friends at a local Parochial School. One of my closest friends had, during my absence, become the de facto Leader of the girls in our class. Our friendship was tested (and ultimately faded) every time I challenged her choices. I didn't do it out of rebellion (more on that in a minute) or spite -- I thought I was doing the right thing by pointing out a flaw in her plans. She didn't like that.

Very quickly, I found myself on the "outs" with the group -- only tolerated because of my family's position in the community. All the girls wanted to come to my birthday parties, which were held at my grandmother's house, surrounded by lush gardens (perfect for games of Tag and Hide & Seek) and including a cement tennis court with an outside sound system, so we could roller skate. Also, my Mom made the BEST birthday cakes!

Things got really bad in Second Grade. Had I been able to just sorta fade out of the group, I think we'd have all been happier. But they wanted the connection with me and I really didn't have anyone else to hang with, anyhow, so it was a constant game of tug-of-war -- especially when I managed to get the Followers to follow me, instead. Again, I didn't coerce anyone. I just presented a compelling case and started heading in a different direction. The Followers would follow me for short bit, but once they realized that I wasn't going to give them orders, they'd eventually slink back to the Leader. I moved to another school the next year.

In my early teens, I joined a 4-H group. That summer, we all went to Schlitterbahn, a delightful water park on a river about three hours from our home. We got inside and put our things in our lockers, then everyone gathered to discuss what to do next. It was a typical hot, humid Texas summer and the spring-fed river was cold and wet. I did not want to be hot and humid. I wanted to be cold and wet. It was early enough that the lines weren't long... yet. There was a ride just a few feet away with a short line that was starting to grow longer. My friends were evaluating the possibilities of EVERY ride in the park!!! I was like, "guys, there's a ride right here. Let's jump on that one and see where it leads. Guys, I'm hot... I donwanna be hot. Guys, it's getting hotter and the lines are getting longer and... oh, nevermind. Catch ya' later!" Off I went. A few hours later, I ran into them again, all still together. We compared notes on the rides we'd been on, so far. I'd been on twice as many as they had -- some of them more than once! Kinda sucked being alone. Sucked more being hot and humid and waiting in long lines.

So, now you see how I came to define these four types of people. I promised I'd address the Rebel, so here we go: Mavericks are often mistaken for Rebels, but we really aren't. Rebels are actually LEADERS who are in defiance to the Leader currently in charge. Think about it... how often have Rebels in history gone on to be Leaders? Rebels either usurp the leadership role, or they die. They are COMPELLED to lead a throng of Followers to oppose a recognized Leader.

Mavericks simply lack that compulsion. Sometimes, we fall into the Hero role, taking the lead when no one else can or wants to and leading the group AWAY from danger -- but they are much less successful at leading them TO anything else (compare George Washington with John Adams). We're the enigmatic cowboy, the knight errant, the "Oh Captain, My Captain," or "To Sir With Love" teacher, the whistleblower. We'd really love nothing more than to be allowed to "live and let live," but that always seems to offend someone somewhere and we're forced to take action and be seen.

I'm learning to lead, but I really don't WANT to be a Leader! I'd really like to be someone's secret weapon. I've filled that role before and we were both happy -- my old boss was constantly being attacked by the Old Boys' Club, but I kept finding new ways to deflect the blows. She and I both knew that, as a contractor with her department, I was technically a resource (not an employee) and they couldn't transfer me. Last I heard, she'd not only survived all the reorgs and buyouts, she was a President of the company!

So, yeah... I'm a Maverick and I always have been. Yes, I'm also an Extrovert, which can be complicated -- it's like being half Doberman and half Labrador. I'm not a threat to anyone, except perhaps the status quo. If you let me, I'll happily be your lap dog AND your attack dog, but not if I'm kept on a leash. Feed me, pet me and give me the freedom to chase butterflies from time to time. I'll fetch a few back for you.