"Is Your Workplace Personality Out of Birth Order"

      Ben Dattner's essay "Is Your Workplace Personality Out of Birth Order" talks about how the order you are born in defines your personality. He talks about how success can be determined through your birth order. Dattner's theory explains how as the first born child you are more likely to be a natural born leader and that are constantly taking your parents into consideration. First borns care more of what their parents think of them. Second born children or "later borns" (334) are more flexiable. Middle children "tend to be more diplomatic and poltically skilled"(334). Since they are middle children they are able to negotiate well with their parents and older and youger siblings. Dattner explains his theory for twins and only children as well; only children are more achievement oriented. Dattner explains that the sequence in which your born determines the success you will have in your future because of the characteristics you develop because of your birth order.
       I really enjoyed Dattner's essay, I thought he brought up some really good points and think that it definitely does have a big impact in shaping your personality. I am the oldest of four and can say I related a lot to his prediction about the first born child. I am really independent and take on the responsibility of looking out for my younger sisters. I would consider myself a leader and I do like to boss people around. I think Dattner's theory holds a lot of truth but there are also other factors such as culture and enviroment that have a big influence in shaping a person's personality.