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Guess what’s on the class ring at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)? Or at Caltech (the California Institute of Technology)? Both of these colleges are arguably two of the finest engineering schools in the world. And both of them have on their class rings … a Beaver!
That’s because Beaver personalities are God’s little architects and engineers. They’re organized, precise and detailed. They catch the spelling mistakes that everyone else misses. And if they’re purebred Beavers, they actually like to balance the checkbook! They sleep better knowing exactly, not approximately, how much money they have in the bank. In short, they’re great at follow-through and completing detailed tasks.
Remember the Christmas party from earlier? The Lions organized the party, the Otters came to the party wanting to talk to everyone there, and the sensitive Golden Retrievers sat with one person who needed encouragement. But the Beavers were the only ones who remembered to bring the food! That’s because “Bring food” was on their list. Beavers love to check things off lists!
Strengths and weaknesses
Like every other core personality type we’ve looked at, when a Beaver’s strengths are pushed to an extreme, Beavers can take other people apart by being critical. Perhaps not verbally or in a loud way, like a Lion who “roars” at others. But if you offend a Beaver (or a Golden Retriever, for that matter), that person can hold on to a grudge for a long time, clearly remembering the offense — and what you were wearing when you offended him or her! That’s opposed to Lions and Otters who tend to get over things and move on more quickly in many cases.
One more thing. While Beavers can be critical, most often they’re really good at taking themselves apart, which means they can be extremely hard on themselves, particularly if they feel they’ve fallen short of a goal, made a mistake or done something wrong. Thoughts race through their minds, such as Why did I say that? or What did she mean by that? or If only I had …
Attention to detail
It’s the Beavers’ attention to detail and desire to do things in a quality and correct way that makes them so incredibly beneficial in a marriage, in the workplace and in other relationships. They can spot problems early on, even when an idea is being shared initially — which is one reason it’s a good idea to invite a Beaver into a conversation.
They can help others limit risk and identify challenges that can block or keep something from being successful. Beavers are also great at wanting issues to be dealt with when they’re small, instead of waiting for small problems to turn into crises. For example, they don’t like driving for long distances with the warning light on in the car without getting the car checked or fixed! Beavers finish tasks and close loops and plan today for a positive future — strengths that Lions and Otters often lack and need so much.
Are you married to a Beaver?
Remember that we’re a blend of all four of these basic personality types, with a few of us being purebreds. And know, too, that while this instrument can give you a valid picture of who you are today, that picture can change over time as you grow, mature, and go through different life experiences.
Learn about the other personality types: The Lion, The Otter, and The Golden Retriever, or take the quiz again with your spouse!
For more information on LOGB (the four animals personality test), go to StrongFamilies.com.
