Complex with a capacity for creativity
By Emma Bache
IN THE latest of our graphology series, our resident graphologist takes a closer look at the handwriting of a top City regulator. What stands out about this writer is that they are stubborn, independent of thought and capable of brilliant and innovative ideas.
Life and career of John Tiner
John Tiner, 46, is managing director of the consumer investment and insurance directorate at the FSA. The post champions the interests of consumers. Among his duties at the City's main watchdog, he has led the so-called "Tiner Project" to modernise insurance regulation.
Before joining the FSA in June 2001 he was a partner at Andersen, the now collapsed accountant, and head of its worldwide financial services practice.
He has been tipped to replace Sir Howard Davies as chief executive of the FSA. Callum McCarthy was named as the next chairman of the authority this week.
Mr Tiner is married with three children and enjoys a wide range of sports.
Emma Bache, The Times resident graphologist, says: “This person is anxious to succeed and progress.” She adds that they often feel that they face difficult decisions in life but are not easily willing to delegate. “Intolerant of routine” and craving “stimulating and novel experiences”, the reality of life is often disappointing for this person. Ms Bache adds: “Fear of failure is paramount here and it has translated itself into initiative and drive. They are also extremely hard working, with a capacity for creativity.” Who could our individual be?
In the latest in an occasional series our resident graphologist delivers her verdict on John Tiner, managing director of the Financial Services Association.
“THIS HANDWRITING is striking in its irregularity of slant, pressure and size of the smaller letters. The large fluctuation in the middle zone letters indicates the writer’s emotional volatility and pressing desire for emotional stimuli. On the one hand, they are stubborn and independent of thought and quite capable of brilliant and innovative ideas, but as with many forward and creative thinkers, emotions can be a little unstable at times.
The markedly inclined slant, but also with variations, shows that this sort of person finds it difficult to conceal their emotions and as they are so clearly anxious to succeed and progress they will give vent to feelings along the way and can at times appear tactless and provocative. The writer is affected by the environment around them more than most and can appear unwilling to settle to any one particular course of action or behaviour. The fact is that they often feel that they face difficult decisions in life and can feel overwhelmed with choices but are not easily willing to delegate.
Pen pressure is generally strong but yet a little erratic. With high physical energy levels and being strong-willed they can come across as opinionated and highly principled. The middle zone letters, however, are small, so here is someone ambitious and stubborn but in no way pompous and with little desire to capture the spotlight. One could call them a natural-born leader but with a very individual approach to such matters.
Despite so much irregularity to the writing, the words and lines are well-spaced and do show the writer’s ability to keep their outward composure, at least for part of the time when, perhaps inside, they feel more turbulent.
There is a real need to communicate with others but the rather narrow letters and distance between them show that it is often difficult for the writer to be consistent with their feelings and reactions.
A battle rages between their restless variety-seeking self and their equally demanding need for privacy in a crowded and hectic lifestyle. There is no doubt that they can be intolerant of routine and have a desire for stimulating and novel experiences.
The reality of life is often disappointing for them. There is a lot of retracing of strokes in all three zones, indicating repression, both emotional and intellectual. Fear of failure is paramount here and has translated itself into initiative and drive. Despite their keen mind, they can be secretive and reticent at times, but shrewd and tenacious. On an emotional level, this irregularity suggests an individual who needs affection and attention but is often afraid to ask for it for fear of being rejected.
The predominant stroke is angular in formation. This highlights their persistent and challenging attitude to life. Argumentative and sometimes combative, but all challenges are met with relish and intelligence. Extremely hard-working and with a capacity for creativity even while dealing with a scientific or logical subject. There is also thread-like strokes in the middle zone and arcaded movements in the upper zone letters which further underlines their love of mental pursuits.
The overall tension of the writing makes for a rather excitable and expressive character but it must be noted that they are as self-critical as they are of others and are, in fact, sensitive to how they are perceived. Impulsive outbursts are tempered by a compassionate and sympathetic approach when deserved.
This writer is a most complex mixture of repression and expression and all the myriad of emotions in-between. Difficult to understand by others and equally difficult for themselves to feel at home with their own ambivalence of emotions and inner conflict. If there is any such thing as an anxious risk-taker, one has found it with this writer.”