EMS: Adapting Externally Oriented

The EMS style is breezy and able to go with the flow. Individuals expressing this style can adapt and are gifted at reading their environment. When in tune (in a healthy, low-stress state), they can engage their external world while staying true to who they are. When dissonant (in an unhealthy, out-of-balance state), their sense of self is easily swept away by the winds of change happening around them.

Principle Characteristics

When in tune (in a healthy, low-stress state), these individuals are often adaptive, extroverted, outgoing, optimistic, versatile, talented, spontaneous, fun, energetic, witty, adventurous, empathetic, charismatic, and charming. When dissonant (in an unhealthy, out-of-balance state), they are scattered, undisciplined, impatient, impulsive, distracted, and unable to recognize personal needs.

Communication Style

Individuals who frequently express an EMS style are usually very talkative, though they may struggle to communicate clearly, especially when experiencing dissonance. Their active energy can keep them jumping from one idea to the next. When this happens, they may appear distracted or confused. This is more likely to occur if they are in conflict, experiencing discomfort, or if their environment isn't giving them what they need to feel regulated. In conversation, they are likely to talk about what is happening around them and focus on the lives of others.

Boundaries

The EMS style is less developed internally. Therefore, individuals experiencing this style often struggle more than other styles to identify the mental and sensation clues that tell them when someone is crossing their boundaries or when they are crossing someone else's boundaries. It is not uncommon for them to find themselves in undesirable or risky situations. Their external focus causes them to miss their system's internal warning signs, only noticing them once it's too late.

How Constructed Awareness Benefits the EMS Style

Constructed Awareness (CA) enhances the experience of those with an EMS orientation by deepening their connection to sensation and mental awareness. Individuals with an EMS style tend to focus on adapting to their external environment, often losing sight of their internal cues. CA teaches them to tune in to their sensations, helping them become more attuned to their own needs, while also balancing their adaptability with mental clarity. Through integrating all three building blocks—mental, sensation, and external—CA enables individuals with an EMS style to regulate more effectively and maintain a healthy sense of self even in changing environments.