Dynamic Temperamental Dyads: Walt and Roy Disney

[keirsey]

In most discussions about temperament theory we tend to focus on the individual—that is, how one person’s particular set of temperament-based strengths and weaknesses affects his or her interactions with others.

However, it’s interesting to consider temperament in relation to dyads (two individuals regarded as a pair). On occasion, two people in a relationship form a compatible fit temperament-wise such that the strengths of each more than make up for the other’s weaknesses. When this happens, the relationship works well for both, helping each person to reach individual goals and the dyad to accomplish special things.

I’ve written in the past about marital relationships that exhibit this kind of temperament compatibility—using, for example, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. But the same kind of synergistic dyads, in which the sum of two individuals is greater than the individuals themselves, can occur in the business world.

One such dynamic dyad was Walt Disney, an Inventor Rational, and his brother Roy, who was most likely an Inspector Guardian. Walt, as you’d probably guess, was the creative side; Roy was the business side. Walt ran the show (among other things, he revolutionized the animation business and spearheaded the original Walt Disney Studios). But it was Roy who ensured that Walt had enough money to flex his creative muscle. Without the contributions of both, the Disney Company would never have succeeded.

For all his creativity, intelligence, and ingenuity in shaping America’s entertainment tastes, Walt was no businessman. In fact, he hated the business side, and relied heavily on his brother. For one thing, Roy brought sharp business skills into the partnership; for another, Walt trusted Roy (unlike some of his previous business partners). Roy, he knew, “had his back.” There were times when Walt entered business deals that were simply bad. Even then Roy managed Walt’s predicaments as best as he could.

And that’s how Roy, a Rock-of-Gibraltar Guardian, and his dreaming perfectionist of a Rational brother, built one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.

[ShayShay]

I just got back from Disneyland. I'm always amazed at the environment Disney has both created and maintained for years now. Disneyland really is "the happiest place on earth".

[jwetmore]

Consider another successful business partnetship composed of a Guardian and a Rational, the pairing of Warren Buffet (Inspector, Guardian) and Charlie Munger (Matermind, Rational, I think). Buffet is the better known, but Charlie Munger is fascinating and successful in his own right. (Read, "Damn Right" by Janet Lowe.) Buffet credits Munger with helping him see beyond the "cigar butt" investing characterized by Buffet's mentor Benjamin Graham. Even though the two have worked more than a thousand miles apart for most of their partnership, most accounts of the success of Berkshire Hathaway mention the daily (or more frequent) phone calls between the two businessmen. Buffet apparently has used Munger as a sounding board for many of his ideas. Charlie often provides big picture thinking about trends and the sustainability of business models.

[keirsey]

Yes, Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger are great pair. In fact, my book on Leadership which I am writing now, Please Understand Me: for Effective Leaders, will highlight Buffet as one of the sixteen examples of leaders and talk a little about Munger and Buffet as a pair. Thanks for the reference, surprisingly it never occurred to me to look for a Munger biography. The recent excellent biography of Buffet, Snowball also gives some hints on their relationship. I have been working on a short blog for this site on Buffet referring to Munger and Benjamin Graham (who I think is another Mastermind Rational)

Your prodding of couple years ago started me down the path looking at Buffet very seriously. My question to you, Jay, is what do you think of the possibility of Munger being an Inventor Rational rather than a Mastermind Rational. Originally I naturally assumed Munger was a Mastermind as I always do when I find a Rational. But recently I have been wondering whether Munger -- and Obama could be Inventor Rationals instead of Mastermind Rationals.

[SunPath]

I am eager to see this analysis unfold. I always love to hear the reworking of temperament analyses, the explorations and examinations of each of the temperament "flags." These are some of the best conversations. Looking forward to your response, jwetmore.

And thanks Dave, for the reconsideration of these Rationals' types. And I find your bias interesting. I wonder why you don't automatically think of an Architect when thinking of a Rational? Very interesting....

[keirsey]

I wonder why you don't automatically think of an Architect when thinking of a Rational?

Mostly because of Hubris.

There is a certain amount of arrogance regarding having a "gut" reaction to those of the same type as one's self. I have a highly selective gut feeling for my fellow Architects, if I don't have a strong feeling, they aren't Architects . In the beginning of my "typing" career, which started informally, I essentially was very narrow in my assessments "who could be a Rational", unconsciously figuring only "scientists" could be Rationals. For a long time, my "Architect" obsession with science and ideas colored my perception. I started reading biographies of scientists and mathematicians very early, only branching out later seeking diverse Temperaments. To be a famous scientist, often you had to be more of a bastard, like Issac Newton (a Mastermind). The Architect Rationals are mostly "quiet," such as guys like Paul Dirac (an Architect)for except of his absolute brilliant mind, wouldn't become famous. Non-science Rationals I am rather hard in including as Rationals, and Fieldmarshal and Inventors more often are successful in outside science than us Architects.

[jwetmore]

Charlie may well be an Inventor, Rational. Benjamin Franklin is a personal hero of his. Choosing between Inventor and Mastermind shows my weakness in identifying the sixteen temperaments by the sum of their characteristics. I often look to the individual traits and try to add them together.

I have watched Charlie at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meetings and have seen him at one of the stockholder events. Munger makes Buffet look like an extrovert. Munger's writings and speeches certainly give the impression that he would rather be learning something from a book than talking to someone. (His reading recommendations are phenominal. Your list has many of the same books.) In a personal glimpse, Munger talks about the family reunions at his "lake home" in northern Minnesota. There is is surrounded by his many children and grand children and he says that many of them can't understand why he always has his nose stuck in a book. I resemble his remarks, so I assume he is an introvert. Also, comparing the descriptions of Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, to descriptions of Charlie Munger, Franklin stressed his desire, perhaps his need, to influence others. He educated himself as part of his self discipline, but his passion seemed to be organizing and influencing others. His autobiography is filled with the names of the famous and near famous people he met and influenced. Charlie seems driven to accumulate knowledge for the sake of the knowledge itself. He does not bask in the spot light, but quickly steps aside when he has choosen the manager or leader.

Charlie has an interesting educational background. The only degree he ever finished was his law degree (from Harvard if I remember correctly). He took classes at the University of Michigan and Cal Tech (again, my memory may be failing me, but the point is he was able to gain acceptance at the most prestiges schools) but never finished his undergraduate degree. This behavoir seems like a perceiving behavior, but in business dealings his accomplishments are many and he seems decisive in his decision making. (I can't offer any examples from memory.) He for years was Chairman of Wesco Finance, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a partner in a law firm, and served on the boards of several philanthropic organizations. He did not do these thing serially, but simultaneously. To me this indicates a very schedule driven and structured person.

That is my piece meal thinking that lead to my conclusion. If I go back to "Please Understand Me" and look at the total picture, I may come to a different conclusion.

[jwetmore]

After making my first post on Walt Disney, I thought of two additional angles that I would like to explore in the next couple of days. The first is a classic business case study of the differences between Disney Land and Disney World. The second concerns the opinion of Walt Disney by another cartoonist, Jay Ward (creator of Rocky and Bullwinkle). I will also include some information on my favorite cartoonist, Chuch Jones, for contrast with the other two cartoonists.

David, I am flattered that you remembered my posting on Buffet and Munger from several years ago.