The researchers · Dr. Linda Berens

The four interaction styles

How people come across in conversation and in shared work: Linda Berens' model of four styles of interacting.

From Berens to OnType

How people engage with others

Psychologist Linda Berens developed the Interaction Styles model to describe patterns in how people interact, communicate and approach tasks together, set out in Understanding Yourself and Others: An Introduction to Interaction Styles. Her four styles, In Charge, Get Things Going, Chart the Course and Behind the Scenes, grow from differences in how people communicate, how they engage socially, and what they focus on.

OnType names the styles Structure, Starter, Finisher and Background, and describes each through three pairs of traits: direct or informative, initiating or responding, and outcome or progression. This builds on later work by C.S. Joseph.

Direct types say what they mean in as few words as possible. Informative types give surrounding context and leave room for interpretation. Initiating types start conversations and new topics, while responding types prefer to reply to topics others raise.

The model at a glance

Four styles from six traits

OnType's name for each style, with its traits.

Structure

Direct · Initiating · Outcome

Takes the lead toward a clear result

ENFJENTJESTPESTJ

Starter

Informative · Initiating · Progression

Gets people and projects moving

ENFPENTPESFPESFJ

Finisher

Direct · Responding · Progression

Sees projects through to the end

INFJINTJISTPISTJ

Background

Informative · Responding · Outcome

Supports the outcome from behind the scenes

INFPINTPISFPISFJ

In OnType's model

Outcome, progression and good pairings

Outcome types value order and control, and try to get things right the first time. Progression types value momentum, are comfortable with some chaos, and improve through trial and error.

The styles also pair well. Starters and Finishers share a focus on progression: one starts projects, the other finishes them. Structure and Background types share a focus on outcome: one leads from the front, the other influences from behind the scenes.

Sources

  • Berens, L. V. (2008). Understanding Yourself and Others: An Introduction to Interaction Styles. Telos Publications.
  • Berens, L. V., & Nardi, D. (2004). An Introduction to the Personality Type Code. Telos Publications.
  • Berens, L. V., & Nardi, D. (1999). The Sixteen Personality Types: Descriptions for Self-Discovery. Telos Publications.
  • R.G., J. The Code Behind the 16 Types. OnType.

More on the model: Jung: functions · Beebe: attitudes · Keirsey: temperaments · C.S. Joseph: four sides

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