The Moods

Life comes at us in all 6 moods, all of the time…

Each mood can be represented by an icon (a letter & symbol together) and one key verb. These moods are: T+ (Convince), T~ (Command), T- (Critique), F+ (Charm), F~ (Collaborate), and F- (Comfort).

In practice, on any given day, you might on the receiving end of an insightful critique from your boss, a charming compliment from a client, or find yourself working collaboratively with your team or family to enjoy a great day together.

You might also find yourself delivering a convincing argument to a prospect, offering a comforting hug to someone close, or using your commanding side to organize a social event or to get a project delivered on time.

The mood someone is in at a given point in time is their Current mood.

No doubt some of these moods seem natural and easy to you, somehow just ‘right’ (these are your Comfortable moods). There might also be one or two moods that give you the creeps, or which you really don’t see the point of (these are your Uncomfortable moods). This pattern of Comfortable and Uncomfortable moods varies for each of us, and is one of the factors that make up our different personalities.

The mood that feels most Comfortable and makes most sense to us is our Home mood.  When we’re in our Home mood, life feels easy. And if the people around us enjoy this mood, things flow… But things get a whole lot stickier when people are in different moods. And the person you’re dealing with can get bent of a shape very fast if your Current mood turns out to be one of their Uncomfortable moods!

Why can’t people just get along better?

Well, because each of the 6 Moods has a different value systems and communication style. So, whilst giving instructions and taking charge, for example, feels like the right and obvious thing to do for a T~ Mood, it might come across as bossy and controlling to someone Uncomfortable with that mood.

What’s your style?

Learning about the value systems and communication preferences of each of the 6 Moods is the second step to defusing problems. The first step is learning how to spot these moods, in yourself and in others, as they arise.

Click on the mini Mood Portraits above to find out the delights and pitfalls of each of the 6 Moods, and which variety you call Home.