Easy-going persona that masks an aggressive achiever
By Emma Bache
In the latest in our graphology series, we lift the lid on Britain’s most popular entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Bache does not know the identity or gender of her subjects.
Life and career of Sir Richard.
IT IS not often that a businessman’s handwriting features in a High Court libel case. But then Sir Richard Branson is no ordinary entrepreneur. Sir Richard’s writing was under scrutiny in 1998, when the Virgin tycoon locked horns with Guy Snowden, then chief executive of GTech, the American lottery company. He accused Snowden of trying to bribe him to stay out of the race for the UK lottery licence.
Sir Richard won his case, helped by his habit of taking notes of conversations and events. For a time, he used graphologists to entertain passengers on his Virgin Atlantic 747s.
Sir Richard, 52, presides over an empire that spans trains, planes, mobile phones and financial services. He is always quick to spot a media opportunity, as with his recent pledge to save Concorde for the nation. He is not a man to cross, as Snowden discovered to his cost.
BALANCED, firm and somewhat unyielding is a fair description of this handwriting, and also of the writer behind it.
There is a mature and intelligent rhythm that denotes overall inner harmony and poise. However, the vertical slant tends to dilute an altogether spontaneous and relaxed writer.
He/she is well able to get on with most people on a social level, but the tall and at times retraced upper zone point to a more ambitious and demanding individual. The points to the top of loops emphasise his/her individuality and anti-establishment outlook on life. The core of the personality is an idealist and even a dreamer who is not always grounded in reality. Determination and intellectual acumen are strong and aided by an unemotional outlook on life.
The middle zone letters are mainly consistent and denote a self-confident attitude to his/her own persona, both in and out of the workplace. The long lower zone strokes underline restlessness. But on close inspection these strokes appear hesitantly formed and even retouched. This shows immense vulnerability in the physical and instinctual arena. Retraced lower zone strokes can point to disturbed co-ordination of the lower body, but also to tension and uncertainty in the area of physicality.
Either way, aggressive determination and a rather detached attitude ensure that he/she overcomes setbacks with ease.
The baseline is straight and the handwriting unfalteringly vertical. Responses, although swift, are nevertheless considered, and underneath this strong personality is much coolness. He/she is too independent to be truly demonstrative. Therefore close personal or working relationships can be fraught and the writer prefers to remain in control or at least in charge.
Pressure is on the heavy side and despite the use of a ballpoint pen, pastiness is also evident. Energy levels are high and new situations and projects are relished. However he/she can once again be stern and stubborn when faced with an alternative to getting his/ her own way.
Spacing within and between words is considered and even. Relationships on a day-to-day level are handled efficiently and the writer is masterful at organising or even pigeonholing people and events into workable classifications. The spacing between the lines just avoids tangling in places, implying that the writer’s lively and forceful external personality can retain clarity of purpose and inner detachment.
The connections between the letters are mainly in the form of deep garlands, with some threading. There is a carefully constructed and self-protective facade that is sociable and easy-going while retaining discretion. The garland formations also reveal the writer to be a retentive character who finds it difficult to give up possessions and relationships. There is a materialistic outlook on life and a tendency to draw a correlation between possessions and security. Tangible goods are of utmost importance to him/her, but in the intermittent threading one also sees an individual who wants to see and do everything.
“Broadminded but unforgiving’’ is an unusual combination, but the rigidity of the writing coupled with the more relaxed garlands and threads highlights both traits. He/she can be difficult to fathom and unpredictable, but rarely dull.
The handwriting is strongly connected and with an absence of either lead-in or ending strokes. He/she is an excellent instigator and planner. Decisions are made quickly but the demanding mind requires a ready supply of challenges and activity to remain stimulated.
The “d’’ strokes are tall and the “t’’ bars long, although occasionally descending. The bold ambition is vigorous but he/she draws a fine line between enthusiastic determination and aggression.
In summary, here is a character with a penetrating comprehension of the world and with much determination, but also one who will draw a wall around him/herself to avoid what the writer perceives as emotional intrusion.