During my multibook investigation into human nature, I realized that by asking the suspiciously simple question “How do I respond to expectations?” we gain explosive self-knowledge.

I discovered that people fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior, so understanding this framework lets us make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress and burnout, and engage more effectively. The Four Tendencies explain why we act and why we don’t act.

The framework holds practical answers if you’ve ever wondered . . .

• People can rely on me, so why can’t I rely on myself?
• Why do people tell me that I ask too many questions?
• How do I work with someone who refuses to do what I ask—or one who keeps telling me what to do?
• How do I stop my teenager from dropping out of school?
• Why can’t I convince my patients to take their prescriptions?
• How can my team become more effective, with less wasted time and conflict?

One of the big daily challenges of life is: “How do I get people—including myself—to do what I want?” Knowing the Four Tendencies make this task much, much easier.