RE: Survey of Tech Writing Personality Types

[Kevin Montgomery <robertm -at- qualcomm -dot- com>]

Your are not the only Kevin with that problem <grin>.

This discussion is timely for me. We were going over DISC assessments 
(similar to Myers Briggs) this morning in a management training that 
included folks from all over the company. Many engineers and the like 
present. The instructor used my results as an example of someone whose 
natural style matches their adapted (workplace) style very well. I'm a very 
strong "I" (Influence), described by terms like magnetic, enthusiastic, 
friendly, demonstrative, and political. (Admittedly, I've also been called 
things that don't show up in the assessment. Sometimes loudly.) When asked, 
I said I am a technical writer. There was a collective "HUH?" from around 
the room as the TW stereotype smacked up against a "people" person in TW 
clothing. I had to take a moment to explain that TW as I practice it 
involves an enormous amount of interpersonal contact, relationship 
building, influencing, and politicking with SMEs, managers, and others.

There was also a strong "I" accountant present. There was NO explaining 
that one <g>.

- Kevin (another one)

Very true. However, those external sources often have