Origins

My grandfather was a person who could make astute deductions about people and never really know he did it. When someone regularly behaved in a fashion that he did not particularly care for, he would say, "That person goes against my grain." When my father was a boy, he would ask him why a neighbor behaved in a peculiar way; grandpa would answer, "It's just his nature." Grandpa did not know it, but he was planting seeds that would eventually grow into Understanding Character©, a series of classes that would help a significant number of people.

Understanding Character's beginnings were simple.

The seeds planted by my grandfather were tended to by my father; he never forgot the observations my grandfather expressed so plainly. When my dad ( Chuck Johnson ), first heard them uttered, he didn't exactly understand the meaning. But he was, and still is, a curious person and the comments stayed with him. In the 1960's and 1970's his curiosity became more focused as he worked with people and became exposed to a number of tests which were created to help those who worked in the field of assignment and personnel development. He noted that many of the tests being used had some accuracy but there was little, if any, practical application. There seemed to be little productive benefit. My grandfather's observations filtered through my father's mind as he pondered the reasons behind the lack of positive effect these tests produced.

In the 1970's Chuck formed his own consulting business and worked with clients wherein he assisted associates in improving their skills relative to given tasks. He commonly worked with sincere people who were eager to accept instructions and who seemed intent on actually accomplishing the task. After helping them understand a given assignment, he would leave their place of business with the promise of returning to further foster improvement. Unfortunately, upon returning a few weeks later, he would find the task had not been accomplished, no improvement was made. The person(s), with whom he had previously worked, would give various explanations; although in the end, there was really no good reason that the work had not been done. At the same time, even though the assignment was not accomplished, the people seemed to be genuinely sincere people, they still had good intent. Again, Chuck would take steps to provide training and, again, the person(s) would be receptive. Later he would return to find still nothing had been accomplished. It was obvious that training and good intent were not enough. Something was missing.

Gradually, it became clear to Chuck that it was simply the people. For some reason, they were not capable of doing the tasks he was trying to get them to do. He began to use the word character, referring to the person each individual was. This did not seem to him to be any great revelation, it seemed to be simply factual and he believed that many already knew this. Facing it in a working sense, however, helped him to begin to see the reason behind my grandfather's words.

My grandfather had been addressing a person's character and that was it, precisely. Grandpa knew that a person behaved in a given way because the person couldn't help it. Therein, Chuck realized, he had been asking individuals to behave in a way that they simply could not. He had, in some cases, been asking and encouraging certain people to behave firmly toward others, to take charge and be directive when, in fact, these people were not capable of doing so. Also, he had been advising that others be more reserved, detail-oriented, and "peace-makers." This, too, was requiring them to be something they were not. This in mind, he formed discussion groups in each of his clients' companies and he and the participants talked about why persons who actually wanted to perform weren't successful. There was progress because of these groups, a general movement toward understanding; although initially it was difficult to define.

While the group discussions were in their early stages, Chuck, through an existing client, discovered the Personal Survey© , a tool that accurately defines a person's character. He decided to begin using the Personal Survey© and he produced results for a rather large number of people. Per the Personal Survey's instructions, he provided results to the individuals who had completed it.

Without exception, the individuals were amazed at the information the Personal Survey© revealed and agreed that it was accurate. "Yes," they said, "that is me!" Many of them later had conversations with Chuck and stated that there was at least a part of their character that they would like to improve and they asked him questions about how to do that. He felt like he was back at square one. Here was an accurate test but productive application was not achieved.

What to do?

He was very aware that there was a lot of information available about addressing changes in behavior. Industrial psychologists, as well as various training and human resources experts spent much of their time teaching people how to supervise, how to improve attitude, and, in general, how to function better in the work place. Chuck had been exposed to this kind of material time and time again throughout his career. He did not view it as having much positive effect. He vaguely realized that the lack of positive effect was because the instruction was geared toward behavior and not toward the real person.

He decided to work towards productive application on his own. With the help of several clients and their people, he formed what is now a series of classes and discussions called Understanding Character© . While not directly providing answers, the classes provide a discussion setting which effectively permits persons to find their own answers, to understand self, and to understand those in the world around them. This helps people improve communication and decrease frustration. The information is provided in a non-threatening, thoughtful manner and then time is given between classes for students to find the information true for themselves, in their own ways. Many say that they feel like they already know the information, they just didn't know that they knew, or didn't know that what they knew is significant. Many say they wish they had realized how significant it really is when they were much younger. In the end, most agree that it is helpful and empowering because each person is given the opportunity to figure it out for self.

It took many years and much discussion but, in the end, Understanding Character© was formed to help people. It provides assistance for those running businesses wherein many people have to work together toward the same goals. It helps people grow personally which causes an increased ability to produce more while at work. It simply helps people feel good about themselves, wherever they are and whatever they do.
HOME | Overview | History | Instructor Biography | send e-mail
"The Path to Clear Thinking" | Programs and Destinations
Understanding Character© | Personal Survey©



©1999 Wingspan, Ltd. [www.wingspanltd.com]
This site is administered by Handy Ma'am Services
and hosted by North Coast Internet Services.