(What the Fisher Temperament Inventory Reveals About Me & Why I Can Be Helpful To You and/or Your Team)
Every so often, a self-assessment surprises you—not by inventing something new about who you are, but by illuminating what has always been there, crystallizing strengths and quirks you’ve lived with your whole life. That’s what happened when I recently re-completed the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI), a neuroscience-based personality framework rooted in brain chemistry and global behavioral research.
I’m a 60-year-old, late-diagnosed autistic woman, mother, wife, asexual, estranged from my adult children, out-of-work, information technology worker with a G.E.D., no college degree, living with chronic illness and pain. I’ve worn many hats, but through every reinvention, a few things have remained constant: sharp pattern recognition, process clarity, an unwavering dedication to the people and systems around me. FTI translated these lived realities into data. Here’s how:
My Results
- Curious/Energetic: 23/43
- Cautious/Social Norm Compliant: 23/43
- Analytical/Tough-minded: 33/43
- Prosocial/Empathetic: 31/43
Global research says most people blend all four FTI dimensions, but often strongly embody only one or two. It came as no surprise to see my two highest marks in the Analytical/Tough-minded and Prosocial/Empathetic suites, and my lowest in both novelty-seeking and social compliance.
What This Means (And What It Doesn’t)
The upshot: I’m at my best where thoughtful analysis and authentic human care meet. I crave logic, structure, and efficiency, but I’m equally attuned to the needs, voices, and lived experiences of others. If a process is broken, I see it immediately and can sketch a solution—one that balances the technical “what” with the very human “why.” At the same time, I don’t chase newness for novelty’s sake, and I’ve always felt at odds with arbitrary conformity.
These aren’t “hard” boundaries; what they are is the foundation for skills that grow stronger when seen as complementary, not contradictory.
On Professional Fit: Competencies, Not Conformity
I work at speed. My late-diagnosis assessment turned up an interesting statistic (as random aside): My ‘at rest’ processing speed (i.e., how quickly I can intake, process, and respond) measured about 88% above average, causing my PsyD to spend extra time assuring I had read and understood it all (I did/had).
It’s much quicker when I’m engaged and interested…. my comfort with analytical, business, and technical functions along with this ability to absorb and implement complex topics quickly, often places me well ahead of any learning curve. I built a consulting firm off this fact for nine years until the ‘dot com’ bust got me.
But it is pattern recognition that is my real talent. Whether analyzing markets, processes, or systems, especially in ambiguous situations, I see connections others miss. I recognize and gravitate toward patterns and love process engineering, often advocating for cost avoidance and operational savings as being historically ‘intangible’ impacts on revenue. My frustration usually isn’t with complexity, but with institutional resistance to replicated data when someone(s) cannot quite see what I can or understand how/why it sets off alarms.
Additionally, I offer a host of highly transferable skills that can/will empower me for success in any role that bridges customers, business stakeholders, and internal teams. My sweet spot? Product ideation and ownership. But I’m equally adept at business, competitive, or market analysis, as well as technical communication.
Strength With Sensitivity: Why I Work Best from Home
I’m forthright about my needs: sensory challenges (to smell, sound, light, temperature) mean I thrive when I can control my work environment. Work-from-home is not a preference—it’s an access requirement that enables me to deliver peak performance. When those environmental factors are stable, I am fully “on”; when not, my brilliant capabilities are dulled by distraction or distress.
Values in Action: My Stack and My Advocacy
Here’s my priority stack, from the center outward:
- Customer
- User
- Business
- Team
This drive to serve—combined with my data-minded brain—turns advocacy into action: whether representing the customer’s voice, championing change, or translating business needs into actionable solutions, I do so with authenticity and rigor. I strive to be both an ambassador and an analyst, speaking up and doing the work.
What I Bring
- Immediate positive impact on efficiency and productivity, thanks to rapid learning and acute process insight
- Transferable expertise across office, business, and software domains; no steep ramp-up time
- Resilience and adaptability honed by a lifetime of “otherness”—turning obstacles into organizing principles
- Passionate stewardship, not just for projects or profit, but for people—especially those often overlooked
The Takeaway
The Fisher Temperament Inventory doesn’t define me—but it does validate and contextualize the strengths I bring to any organization. In me, you’ll find a colleague who combines sharp analysis with deep advocacy, a problem-solver who puts people first, and a self-styled philosopher willing to question the status quo for better results.
If you seek someone who translates data and empathy into results, who adapts quickly, and who breathes efficiency into the gaps—let’s talk. I am available to become your next company asset.
(You can request a call or online chat by using the contact form.)