God could have made us all Sanguines.
We could have lots of fun but accomplish little.
He could have made us all Melancholies.
We would have been organized and charted but not very cheerful.
He could have made us all Cholerics.
We would have been set to lead, but impatient that no one would follow!
He could have made us all Phlegmatics.
We would have had a peaceful world but not much enthusiasm for life.
We need each temperament for the total function of the body.
Each part should do its work to unify the action and produce harmonious results.
-Florence Littauer in The Gift of Encouraging Words

Hippocrates Greek Terms (370 BC)

Sanguines are open and direct: They are cheerful, very talkative, adventurous, drive fast.
There weaknesses are that they are very unorganized and poor decision makers or they bounce around from one thing to the next never finishing anything.

Melancholies are indirect and self contained: They are the most organized people on the planet. They have lists and charts, they are very neat and everything has its place. They are likely to be driving in the middle lane and going the speed limit. There weaknesses are that they over analyze everything and they do not show affection.

Phlegmatics are nurturers, they are teachers, nurses. They are very peaceful people, money is not a focus. they are loving and caring people. Their weaknesses are that they are overly sensitive, there feelings get hurt easily.

Cholerics are closed and direct; They are goal driven, they are leaders, they are salesman, CEO's, Presidents. They are very money focused and show there feelings through giving material things. There weaknesses are that they are very stubborn. There way or the highway.

Everyone has a dominant personality type and when you can learn to spot the different types in people the better you will be able to communicate with that person wether it be building your business or trying to figure out your kids.