A short parable to illustrate our 9 innate temperaments. We see nine friends gathered outside a restaurant intending to celebrate the birthday of one group member. They had each responded to the invitation according to their innate temperaments

Wanting to make everyone happy, the 2 Giver planned the event, sending out a text asking for suggestions for day, time, and restaurant and thoughtfully inquiring about food allergies. The 3 Achiever responded immediately, adding information about his recent successes in his free time from work. The 4 Tragic-Romantic member dramatized her response with all the places, times, and foods she could not eat.

The 5 Observer watched and waited until everyone had responded, quietly agreeing to his best time. The 6 Guardian suspected something would go wrong with the plan; some members would not attend, and it would rain that day, or he would be ill. The 7 Optimist responded immediately that she would be there with bells on, probably late because of other engagements. The 8 Boss stated his best time, day, and restaurant, adding that he could eat anything. (Upon arriving at the restaurant, the 8 Boss would march past the greeter, find the best table, and re-arrange the chairs.)

The 9 Ms. Easygoing forgot to respond but received a phone call from the 2 Giver telling her the time and place with an offer of a ride. The 1 Perfectionist named the exactly perfect time and place. She added that she would make the reservation, knowing this important job should be done correctly.