The Phlegmatic Temperament Explored

Plus relationship & career advice for this personality type

Co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP and Dev Murphy, MA

Last Updated: October 20, 2025 Fact Checked

• Meaning
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• Strengths
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• Weaknesses
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• In Relationships
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• Careers
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• How to Communicate With Them
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• Compatibility with Other Temperaments
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• The 4 Temperaments Explained
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Studying the four classic temperaments—choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic—can be a helpful way to understand how different people tick. The phlegmatic personality type is characterized by a chill, easygoing, non-confrontational attitude and an ability to fit in basically anywhere. Want to learn even more about what some people consider to be the "forgotten" temperament? In this article, we'll dive into the traits and characteristics associated with the phlegmatic personality and provide career and relationship advice for people with this temperament, with help from therapist Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP. We'll also explain how to interact with phlegmatic people IRL, too.

Phlegmatic vs. Other Temperaments

Therapist Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP says the phlegmatic personality type is calm, peaceful, patient, loyal, and reliable. Phlegmatic people might avoid conflict (and may be people pleasers), as they’re more passive than assertive.

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Section 1 of 8:

What is the phlegmatic personality type?

1. 
   The phlegmatic personality type is calm, easygoing, and conflict-avoidant. The phlegmatic personality type is one of the four Ancient Greek temperaments. According to Tenzer, phlegmatic people are calm, zen, peaceful, and patient, as well as loyal and reliable. She says they avoid conflict and are pretty passive, so they may people please. But, because they're so balanced and observant, they can easily settle others' arguments and are considered the peacemakers of the four temperaments. Phlegmatic people don't command the spotlight and often fly under the radar because they're so reserved and introverted. Their absence is always noticed, though—they're basically the glue that holds the group together!

   • We'll go over the other three temperaments later in this article.
   • Want to know what your temperament is? Take our test now!

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP is a clinical therapist with over 18 years of clinical and educational experience.
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Section 2 of 8:

Phlegmatic Strengths

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   Easygoing and calm Phlegmatic people are noted for their flexible, chill attitude. This personality type can get along with just about anyone. They're not easily ruffled and they're slow to react to situations, preferring to think through their words and actions before committing to a response. They'd rather not get involved in drama, but they're good at maintaining peace and helping everyone find common ground.
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   Observant and nonjudgmental Phlegmatic people are deeply practical and undramatic. They often prefer to stick to the sidelines and quietly observe everything happening around them than get involved in people's goings-on. If you're looking for a buddy to gossip with, the phlegmatic type is probably not who you're looking for—but they make a pretty good person to vent to when you're going through a tough time.
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   Patient and understanding Phlegmatic people rarely get angry, and if they do, it's fairly easy for them to let it roll off their shoulders. They value peace and harmony, and because they prefer not to get involved in conflict directly, they often make a good arbitrator and can help to settle disagreements.
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   Dedicated and reliable Because phlegmatic people value routine and predictability, they themselves are very dependable (as long as they stick to their routine, at least). They value personal success and work hard to get their tasks done, and are particularly adept at analytical, predictable, and even tedious work. They can be hard to get to know, but once a phlegmatic person is in your life, they're reliable, loyal, and committed.
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Section 3 of 8:

Phlegmatic Weaknesses

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   Stubborn and inflexible Despite their easygoing nature, phlegmatics thrive with a routine, and they'll likely do whatever they can to avoid deviating from it. They resist change, and their typically calm and easygoing demeanor may give way to irritation or defensiveness if forced to deviate from their schedule.

   • Phlegmatics also struggle with indecisiveness and struggle to take initiative, which can contribute to their fear of change.
   • This isn't to say that a phlegmatic person is incapable of change—but it can take them a long time to adjust to even a slight alteration, so try to be patient with them.
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   Conflict-avoidant This is a pro and a con, really. Phlegmatics desire peace above all else—but that's unfortunately not a very realistic way to move through the world. They make excellent arbitrators, but they prefer to stay in their lane when possible, and their avoidance of conflict may mean problems are hard to resolve or aren't addressed at all.

   • For instance, when a phlegmatic person is uncertain about how to complete a new project for work, they may avoid asking for clarification as they may worry this would cause conflict.
   • Even when a situation doesn't involve them directly, their input may be valuable, and their refusal to get involved or to take on responsibility for others' wellbeing could make things harder for people around them.
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   Hard to get to know Phlegmatics get along with everyone, but because they prefer to observe rather than participate, they may not get very emotionally close to most people. This withdrawn personality type may equate emotional connection to "drama" and may view it as more practical and efficient to remain emotionally distant from others.

   • Because they're so introverted, reserved, and slow to respond to situations, a phlegmatic person's interest is sometimes mistaken for indifference, even when that's not the case.
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   Prone to procrastination Phlegmatics are reliable and predictable, and they like helping others—but they don't really like taking on responsibilities that deviate from their ordinary routine. Their passive nature and desire to please, combined with a resistance to change, may cause them to experience decision paralysis and procrastinate on responsibilities.

   • They may also struggle to self-start and may need someone to tell them what to do.
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Section 4 of 8:

Phlegmatic Personality in Relationships

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   Phlegmatic people may struggle to develop emotional connections with others. In platonic or romantic relationships, phlegmatics can be difficult to pin down emotionally. Tenzer agrees, saying they “may need encouragement to open up emotionally and communicate [their] feelings.” They like their routine, and human relationships can be messy and unpredictable—exactly what a phlegmatic person doesn't want! This can make it hard to develop a deep friendship or romantic relationship with a phlegmatic person, but that doesn't mean they don't have them or that they aren't good friends or partners.

   • In fact, phlegmatics actually tend to love being around people and may have many surface-level relationships.
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   Once a phlegmatic is in a relationship, they're likely committed. While it can take a while to get to know a phlegmatic person, once you're a part of their life, you're probably a part of it for the long haul. Tenzer agrees and says, “They’re devoted partners who want to be in a relationship” and “they show love through loyalty and support.” When a phlegmatic person commits to someone, they're reliable, loyal, and trustworthy—it just might take some time to get to that point, but it's worth it.

   • Know that just because a phlegmatic person has warmed up to you and is sticking to you for life like superglue, it doesn't mean they'll ever be the warm-and-fuzzy type. They're committed, but they're naturally low-key and may not be very effusive with their affection.
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   Phlegmatic people can overlook conflict in relationships. In relationships, Tenzer says phlegmatic people “value peace” and are “not about drama.” Again, there are pros and cons to this. Conflict in a friendship or romantic relationship is easy to overcome with a phlegmatic person because they're so willing to let things roll off their back and are so tolerant of other people's shortcomings. However, they may harbor secret resentment because they resist voicing concerns when possible, and they may let toxic friendships or relationships endure out of a reluctance to break off the commitment.

   • In a friendship or romantic relationship with a phlegmatic person, it's important to check in once in a while to make sure everything in the relationship is healthy. They may be reluctant to initiate a discussion about their concerns, but may respond when asked.
   • Tenzer adds that phlegmatic people like to problem solve. So, if the conflict or issue is brought to them, they’ll happily work through it.
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Section 5 of 8:

Phlegmatic Personality Careers

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   Phlegmatic people do well in slow-paced jobs where they can help others. According to Tenzer, phlegmatic people “do well in steady, people-focused roles” and careers that require patience, reliability, and an agreeable personality. They also thrive at predictable, meticulous tasks, and they often gravitate towards careers that allow them to adhere to a routine. But they are also mediators and team players, so they may thrive in work where they can be of service to others, whether clients or coworkers. Here are some of the best jobs for phlegmatic personality types:

   • Counselor
   • Teacher
   • HR
   • Customer service
   • Clerical officer
   • Administrative assistant
   • Book keeper
   • Doctor
   • Architect
   • Conflict management worker
   • Engineer
   • Diplomat
   • More generally, Tenzer says phlegmatic people work well in the health care field or doing organizational or admin work.

Section 6 of 8:

How to Communicate with a Phlegmatic Person

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   Follow these tips to ensure you're communicating effectively with a phlegmatic. Generally speaking, phlegmatic people are easy to get along with because they're so mild-mannered and they value harmony. But there are still some things to keep in mind when interacting with a phlegmatic to make sure you're communicating as meaningfully as possible:

   • Avoid pressuring them to speak. Phlegmatics tend to be introverted and may need some time to gather their thoughts before voicing an opinion. They like to be prepared before committing to words, and may experience paralysis if pushed too hard.
   • Don't put them on the spot. Phlegmatics tend to avoid the spotlight whenever possible, and they certainly don't like getting involved in drama. This typically even-keeled temperament likes to stay even-keeled, so they don't appreciate external pressure to act.
   • Ask open-ended questions to get them to open up. A phlegmatic person can be a hard nut to crack, but asking personal, open-ended questions without simple "yes" or "no" answers is one way to draw them into more meaningful discussion.
   • Try to keep the relationship positive. Drama is unavoidable in life, but phlegmatics detest negativity and avoid it when possible. In general, try to keep your conversation and tone positive when interacting with a phlegmatic.
   • Give them time to make decisions. Phlegmatics famously struggle to make decisions, and while they often defer to the choices others make, they can waffle for hours or even days when forced to make a choice for themselves. Let them know there's no rush, and that you trust their decision, whatever it might be.
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Section 7 of 8:

Phlegmatic Compatibility with Other Temperaments

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   Phlegmatics are compatible with every personality type. Because they're so easygoing and conflict-averse, phlegmatic personality types are generally compatible with every other temperament, though there are always challenges to be aware of as well. Here's a quick breakdown of how phlegmatics might interact with other temperaments:

   • Phlegmatic-Sanguine:
     • Strengths: The sanguine is lively and enthusiastic, which blends well with the phlegmatic's easygoing, peace-loving nature.
     • Weaknesses: They may run into trouble when attempting to find things to do together, as the sanguine may want to go out and socialize, while the phlegmatic tends to be more of a homebody.
   • Phlegmatic-Choleric:
     • Strengths: This relationship proves there's truth to the notion of opposites attracting—the passionate, take-charge choleric is compatible with the introverted, stick-to-the-sidelines phlegmatic, and each can help balance the other out a bit.
     • Weaknesses: The choleric may get frustrated with the phlegmatic's inability to match their energy level, and the gentle phlegmatic may get upset by the choleric's brusque, passionate attitude.
   • Phlegmatic-Melancholic:
     • Strengths: The sensitive, forgiving phlegmatic may help the intense, emotional melancholic be less anxious and live in the present moment, while the melancholic may help the phlegmatic get in touch with their emotions.
     • Weaknesses: Melancholics can be more critical and emotional, which can be difficult for a phlegmatic to adjust to, but the phlegmatic can likely help the melancholic gain some emotional stability.
   • Phlegmatic-Phlegmatic:
     • Strengths: The two phlegmatics understand one another and can form and maintain a strong connection. They're the two most reliable and loyal temperaments. Their relationship will likely be very harmonious.
     • Weaknesses: Their relationship may become stagnant, since neither of them may take steps to push things forward and may prefer not to develop emotional connection. Conflict may go unresolved.

Section 8 of 8:

The 4 Temperaments Explained

1. The 4 temperaments are phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric, and melancholic. According to the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates in the 4th century BC, there are four inborn and unchangeable temperaments—or personalities—and they're influenced by an excess of different body fluids or humors. His theory has since been debunked by scientists. However, Tenzer says the temperaments are useful for understanding personality patterns and can be used in therapy to analyze relationship and career comparability.

   • Here are all four temperaments (and their associated body fluids) in a nutshell:
     • Phlegmatic: Associated with an excess of phlegm from the lungs, people with this personality are easygoing and calm.
     • Sanguine: Associated with an excess of blood from the heart, people with this personality are joyful and vivacious.
     • Choleric: Associated with an excess of yellow bile from the liver, people with this personality are passionate and hardworking.
     • Melancholic: Associated with an excess of black bile from the kidneys, people with this personality are sensitive and thoughtful.
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