Passive / Defensive Styles

The Passive/Defensive styles are (3) Approval, (4) Conventional, (5) Dependent, and (6) Avoidance. These styles represent self-protecting thinking and behavior that promote the fulfillment of security needs through interactions with people. However, in doing so, they interfere with personal effectiveness and negatively impact individual health and well-being.
Passive / Defensive Styles
Number |
Name and Description |
3 |
Approval: Reflects a need to be accepted and a tendency to tie one’s self-worth to being liked by others. People high in this style try very hard to please others, make good impressions, and be agreeable and obedient. |
4 |
Conventional: Reflects a preoccupation with conforming and “blending in” with the environment to avoid calling attention to one’s self. People high in this style tend to rely on established routines and procedures, prefer to maintain the status quo, and want a secure and predictable work environment.
|
5 |
Dependent: Reflects a need for self-protection coupled with the belief that one has little direct or personal control over important events. People high in this style allow others to make decisions for them, depend on others for help, and willingly obey orders—possibly as a result of recent changes in their personal or work lives.
|
6 |
Avoidance: Reflects apprehension, a strong need for self-protection, and a propensity to withdraw from threatening situations. People high in this style “play it safe” and minimize risks, shy away from group activities and conversations, and react to situations in an indecisive and non-committal way.
|
Which styles describe your organization, teams, and members now?
Which describe where you want them to be?
The Circumplex provides the foundation for Human Synergistics International’s integrated measurement system for individual, leader, group, and organizational development. The Circumplex identifies 12 specific patterns of thinking and behaving which cluster into 3 general styles: Constructive, Passive/Defensive, and Aggressive/Defensive. These styles relate to the behavior of organizational members and are measured by Acumen Leadership WorkStyles™ and Team WorkStyles™.
|