The Risks and Rewards of a ‘Type A’ Personality with Grace Tworek, PsyD

Podcast Transcript

John Horton:

Hey there and welcome to another Health Essentials Podcast. I'm John Horton, your host.

You've no doubt heard of someone being described as having a “type A personality.” It's a label placed on folks viewed as hyper-competitive and ambitious, the sort of person who believes perfection is the only acceptable outcome. These traits can serve as fuel for success. They can also ratchet up pressure and stress to some seriously unhealthy levels.

So is it good or bad to be a type A, or is the answer somewhere in between? For questions like that, we call in psychologist Grace Tworek for information and analysis. Dr. Tworek is one of the many experts at Cleveland Clinic who pop into our weekly podcast to help us learn more about ourselves. Now, let's get started on this discussion — type As, after all, aren't exactly known for their patience.

Welcome back to the podcast. It has been way too long since you've stopped by the chat.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Thank you so much for having me back, John. It's always great to be here, so I appreciate it.

John Horton:

Well, we love having you. So our topic today … we all tend to think of the “type A” designation as a psychological assessment, which is, obviously, why you're here. But my mind was blown away when I learned that the term originated from a pair of cardiologists in the 1950s who saw the behavior pattern as a coronary risk.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

That is something that I actually had forgotten. That was a tidbit I knew back in grad school and then, when you brought it up to me, I said, "Oh my gosh, you're right. That is where that came from!" It's one of those fun tidbits though that sometimes I, myself, forget, but it is a good party conversation, right?

John Horton:

Well, really, it's surprising, but it kind of makes sense if you know anybody who shows those type A tendencies.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

That is so true, right? I think all of us have an image that pops to the top of our heads when we think about the type A personality. It might be somebody in our personal life or even someone from television or social media. We all have that characteristic image of what a type A personality is, for sure.

John Horton:

Well, let's get into that a little bit because other than being a potential matter of the heart, break down what it means to have a type A personality.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Sure. So when we're speaking about personality types per se, we're really categorizing folks based on common characteristics, and really, depending on where you're gathering your information for what it means to be a type A personality versus type B, you might come across more than one or two of these categories. So, oftentimes, what we hear is type A is more rigid, type B may be more creative or scattered, and even a type C being more passive in nature or more likely to let things kind of roll off their shoulders.

John Horton:

Looking specifically at type A personalities, let's get into some of the common traits that are connected to that.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Sure. So when we think about some of the more common traits connected to being type A, we think about being driven or goal-oriented. So having an overarching goal that you're working toward really driving you, giving you energy — being organized, everything has a place, everything has a way that it should be. Time urgency being another one, right? Deadlines. Oftentimes, type A personalities work great under deadlines. They know when something is due and they're going to have it done at that time, or possibly even before that time. I've even heard aggressiveness or controlling in nature. So they really like things done a certain way, and it motivates them to know what that way is, how that's going to happen and to have a little bit of control over how that might potentially play out. And maybe even at times, I've heard some impatience or frustration with others who don't stick to those same timelines. So maybe they might not play as well with others who don't see the value of those timelines, deadlines or even overarching goals.

John Horton:

Competitiveness is also a big driving trait, right? Because you hear that these are the people who just do not want to lose and will do anything possible to avoid it.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

You're so right, and something that we hear a lot, especially around big sporting events or events like the Olympics, we hear a lot of athletes say, "I am a type A personality and I've always liked to win and I've always seen myself up on that podium, winning that gold." So maybe there is something to that. But of course, it is important for us to know that a lot of these traits can occur on a spectrum. So not all folks who are very motivated and goal-oriented might engage in that behavior at the same level in every aspect of their life. I like to refer to this as a “volume meter.” They might be at a 10 when it comes to something they're very passionate about, but the same person might not always be at a 10 when it comes to competitiveness and other areas of their life, too. And that can really depend on the situation, goals and other external factors, too.

John Horton:

Well, and that's where it is hard. When we get into these real general terms, it's a big label. You're trying to just fit everybody into either a type A or a B or a C. There's going to be a huge range within that.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

So true, so true. And I think that's part of being human, is that in different places, in different contexts and with different people, we might be a little bit different depending on circumstances.

John Horton:

All right, well I have to tell you a confession — everything that you just described, I'm really seeing myself in there. So I'm almost considering this a little session that I can use for a little growth. So all those traits that you just talked about, we all understand them and we all see them in some people, but they also sound like things that can be very stressful.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Sure.

John Horton:

Were those heart docs onto something back in the '50s?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

So just like I alluded to a little bit earlier, not all folks who demonstrate these type A characteristics or these type A categories or the bin we would sort type A people into do so on the same level. So there might be some folks who find they are incredibly successful because they're able to take a goal, break it down, give themselves a timeline or a deadline and meet those goals, check off all of those manageable steps, and that works for them really well. However, for some other people, these same traits could cause them to experience anxiety, or they could even get feedback from friends or colleagues that they're hard to work with because they're not the most flexible with other people, or they might not be the most open to adjusting that timeline or adjusting that goal.

So I would say that it really depends on the person. And it's really important for us to note that there has been a lot of research in the past surrounding different types of personalities and whether they may be more at risk for certain conditions, just like we're talking about. But more recent research has actually outlined some scientific flaws of those studies in the past. So we can't 100% say that there are direct links or you might be more at risk for a certain health diagnosis because of those personality traits.

John Horton:

So if you check a lot of boxes for a type A personality, what can you do to maximize the benefits of that stuff that we're talking about with being driven and schedule and deadline-oriented and all that stuff, to maximize that without drifting too far into the negatives that you just mentioned?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Sure. Someone that really identifies with some of those traits and the things that we've talked about so far, and you find that they are benefiting you and that you're thriving in what you're doing, try not to worry too much about that. Embrace that these traits work for you. But something that you can consider is speaking to other important people in your life and saying, "Hey, is this also a way that you feel motivated? Does setting deadlines and having an overarching goal give you energy like it does for me?" And maybe that answer is yes, and maybe that answer is no. But by having these types of conversations and understanding the people around us, we can actually flex the personality characteristics that we have to better understand people in our own lives, and this could improve our relationships at work, at home and with friends.

John Horton:

Do you find sometimes that people who maybe have this type A personality might have blinders on to some of what they're doing and its effect on people around them, just because you're so driven and so focused that you just don't realize maybe what's going on around you?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Certainly so, and that might be where taking a step back and maybe looking in the mirror for a second and saying, "Wait, have I gotten some feedback from maybe a loved one, maybe my partner or even at work that I am a little bit rigid or I'm hard to work with? And is that something that I'm hearing often?" And if that resonates with you, maybe this is that light bulb moment to have some deeper conversations and look inward a little bit to see if that could be affecting those around you.

John Horton:

Now, you had mentioned, as far as the people around you … so if you're one of those people who live with a type A personality or work with someone that falls in that area, what kind of tips do you have to help them improve the relationship and make everything work around that type A-ness?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Believe it or not, John, that's a question I get a lot, actually. If you find yourself interacting with someone who demonstrates some of these traits, there are lots of different things that you can do to connect with this person and find some common ground. So maybe this means bringing some of your experiences that you've had to the table and opening that door for discussion. That could look like, "You know, I notice you get really excited when you accomplish one of your goals. Is there a way that we could come together to create a common goal and then work together as a team to achieve that?" Or even sharing your own experiences, such as, "I've noticed that goals are really motivating for you, but I haven't had that experience myself. Do you think that maybe we could work together to find something that motivates both of us, so we're both excited about this thing that we're working toward together?" Talking through these challenges can really give an opportunity to create change, and like I said, flex our own comfort zone to understand what might motivate others and give them energy and share what motivates us, too.

John Horton:

Now, you had mentioned one of the characteristics, sometimes, that can come out if you are a type A personality is an impatience with those around you who maybe aren't keeping the same pace or aren't as driven, aren't meeting the deadlines, things like that. How do you soften that rough edge when you're with somebody who's displaying that sort of attitude? Or even if you're a type A person and you see it, what can you do?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Sure. Opening up that door, like I said. Having a conversation. So maybe perhaps if you are the person who is a little more “type B,” that could look like level-setting, "Hey, I know you're really motivated by that timeline, but we actually have until next week and you're putting a lot on my plate right now that I know I'll be able to get done by next week. So maybe we can reevaluate what the overall goal is so we're both happy and we both achieve this goal and don't feel like we're at each other's throats or not having a good relationship by the time we get there." And maybe if you're more type A, it might be asking that person, "I'm feeling really stressed by this deadline, but you don't seem to be that stressed. Is there something that I'm missing here? And maybe we can find some level ground or some common ground to meet in the middle a little bit."

John Horton:

You know, it seems like a lot of it is just understanding the people around you a little bit and giving them a little grace to be themselves, but then also trying to share, "Hey, this is what that's doing to me," and then just being able to talk it through.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

You're so right, John. And that's actually one of the things that I find to be most impactful whenever we are taking inventory of different types of personality traits that we might have, or even doing different sorts of diagnostic tests or assessments meant to tell us or give us insight into our own personality.

I was recently in a training myself, and one of the most favorite things that the leader of this training said was, "Just because we get results that tell us something about ourselves doesn't mean that we can't have understanding for the other categories of personality types." These are things that aren't only meant to teach us about ourselves, but also are meant to give us some insight into what other people are thinking, what might drive them, and help us to build those relationships, too.

John Horton:

It's all about that give and take, and it seems it can make the whole world a better place when that happens.

So after all this talk, let me ask you this: Is being type A an official psychiatric diagnosis, or is this just something that makes for fun chatter and online personality quizzes?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

So type A is certainly not a diagnosis that you'll receive from a mental health professional. And at times, it can be a generalization for traits that a wide variety of people can experience in different contexts and in different situations in their lives. But what these traits can do is really give us good insight into what motivates us, drives us and gives us energy, or fills our cup, like I would like to say. And on the flip side, considering how this may be different for other people can help us to understand them better and can help us to, like we said, meet in the middle, gain some understanding, have that little bit of give-and-take.

But if you ever have concerns over the way you're functioning or you're finding that what used to drive and motivate you is now making you feel stressed or overwhelmed, there are certainly many different evidence-based methods to assess functioning and personality with a qualified mental health professional.

John Horton:

Well, as always, Dr. Tworek, you've given us a lot to think about, but before we say our goodbyes, do you have anything else to add about how we should view personalities that are type A or any other letter?

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Well, thank you so much for having me, and I think one of my main takeaways is just like you've probably heard me say many times now, that these different factors can really drive us to strengthen relationships with people that we care about. So sometimes, it is in our differences that we can actually find common ground and connect with other people that we care about.

John Horton:

Perfectly said, as always. So thank you again for making some time to talk with us today and can't wait to have you back on.

Dr. Grace Tworek:

Thanks so much, John. Talk soon.

John Horton:

Traits associated with a type A personality can drive success, but they can also fuel conflict and stress if they run wild. Work to find a better balance if you're feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, and if it helps with your type A-ness, just make adjusting your approach an ambitious goal to achieve.

If you liked what you heard today, please hit the subscribe button and leave a comment to share your thoughts. Until next time, be well.

Speaker 3:

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