Parenting according to personality traits

I've been pondering lately over parenting from in front or behind. The black rhino has its calf walking behind, whereas the white rhino's calf is always in front, so nature does not prefer a particular approach. I think by default we've been parenting Johnny from behind: reverse-cycle breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-led weaning, casual potty training... it's all stuff we've fallen into because it fits him, and the path of least resistance fits us.

Taking the lead in parenting can lead to no end of power struggles, tearing your hair out and tears for all before bedtime, unless you know in advance how your child will respond to your direction. We have an old '80s child development book and it has an interesting table on enduring personality traits. I've already typed it all out once, over here. To sum up, Johnny is:

1. Activity level: High (e.g. always runs, never sits still)
2. Rhymicity: Irregular (e.g. wakes at different time every day, never eats the same amount)
3. Distractibility: Distractible (e.g. tantrums can be interrupted)
4. Approach/withdrawal: Positive (e.g. takes to new things)
5. Adaptability: Adaptive (e.g. handles changes in routine well)
6. Attention span and persistence: Long (e.g. will read the same book all the way to school)
7. Intensity of Reaction: Mild (e.g. doesn't lose it when someone steals his toys)
8. Threshold of responsiveness: High (e.g. doesn't care if he has a wet nappy)

Trying to Gina Ford Johnny onto a schedule would lead to perpetual misery, but knowing his personality traits has helped us to get him mostly potty trained by 18 months. We picked an approach that suited all of us, and he loves being seemingly in charge, shouting "Wee wee!" and running for the loo with Mommy doing his bidding.