The Phlegmatic – The Most Stable Temperament

The Phlegmatic Temperament in Inclusion indicates the temperament needs for social interaction, surface relationships and intellectual energies.

Hippocrates linked the Phlegmatic temperament with phlegm, a body fluid that is thick, slow-moving and almost stagnant in nature. To the observer, the Phlegmatics are extremely slow-paced, and stubborn. They allow their lives to become stagnant because it takes too much effort to use their talents. This person goes through life doing as little as possible, quietly, and expending little energy. It is not clear whether this is because they have very little energy, or if it is because they refuse to use what little energy they do have. The daily routine of the Phlegmatic temperament is to go to work with figures all day, while sitting in a cubbyhole of a room, go home, take a nap, eat, take another nap, and go to bed. They still have trouble getting up in the morning. This is extremely difficult for the family of a Phlegmatic. There is little energy left for the family by the end of the day.

Since the Phlegmatic in Inclusion has no temperament needs to meet, they are nearly impossible to regenerate. The Sanguine in Inclusion regenerates through socialization, and the Melancholy in Inclusion regenerates through quiet time alone. However, the only thing that will even begin to regenerate a Phlegmatic in Inclusion is sleep, and that is often ineffective.

The world will never know how many brilliant thoughts, great books, beautiful works of art, or wonderful ministries died with the Phlegmatic. They never use these ideas and talents because it requires too much energy and active participation to put these ideas into action. The Phlegmatic sits back and watches other temperaments busy doing things wrongly and looking at all the things in this world that need to be changed. Identifying the injustice is not difficult for the Phlegmatic in Inclusion; however, they will never initiate action against this injustice. Based on their observations, the Phlegmatic will try to inspire other people to do something. However, they will seldom get involved themselves.

The Phlegmatic temperament is task oriented with a great capacity for work that requires precision and accuracy. They make great data processors, bookkeepers, librarians, accountants, records technicians, or museum curators. A writer may regard a Phlegmatic in Inclusion as the best person to catalog and do the research.

In social interactions, the Phlegmatic is quite flexible and well rounded, even though they have no need to interact. Hence, the Phlegmatic in Inclusion can be either task oriented or relationship oriented, depending upon the situation. The Phlegmatic has a dry sense of humor and, without smiling, at times can be quite humorous even though it drives other temperaments crazy. Their dry, wry humor protects them from becoming too socially involved with the other temperaments.

Phlegmatic in Inclusion Strengths

In the temperament area of Inclusion, Phlegmatic strengths include the ability to perform tedious tasks and to relate to both tasks and people. They are calm, easy-going, extremely efficient and perfectionistic.

The Phlegmatic in Inclusion can function quite well in a hostile social setting. Nothing “ruffles their feathers.”

Phlegmatic in Inclusion Weaknesses

In the temperament area of Inclusion, the Phlegmatic weaknesses include unwillingness to become involved, tendency to be an observer rather than a participant, and use of a verbal defense that often hurts others.

The Phlegmatic is the most stable temperament. They have no real problems with anger, rejection or destructive emotions like the other temperaments. They have no compulsive needs or wants and suffer very little from bitterness or unforgiveness. The most damaging thing about the Phlegmatic is their stubborn resistance to change and their uninvolvement in life. The Phlegmatic is the most stubborn of all temperaments when it comes to making changes. The harder you push them to make changes, the more stubborn they become in resisting these changes. To change takes energy; to stay the same does not. Therefore, the Phlegmatic will take the path of least resistance, which is to remain the same.

They are natural negotiators and diplomats. Uninvolvement, while being a handicap for other temperaments, is a great plus for them. “Peace at all costs” is their motto. Therefore, they have an uncanny ability to negotiate peace between two warring parties without becoming involved in the conflict.

They use their verbal abilities as a defense mechanism. Sometimes this defense mechanism is humor. Other times it can be very sarcastic and harsh. Their response depends on your approach and what you are trying to motivate them to do.

The goal of Temperament Therapy is to assist an individual in understanding how to live out of their God-given strengths and to overcome their weakness in healthy ways. The result will be peace, joy and effectiveness which come from emotional/spiritual growth and maturity. Understand your inner working and needs within minutes..

We offer Free Consultations

To find out if you are a Phlegmatic Click Here!