Every leader will ultimately engage and develop people who have different personality preferences than they do. Too often, we lead others they way we would like to be led. In this episode, Bonni & Dave Stachowiak introduce the personality series and discuss ways that leaders can gain insight into the personalities of themselves and others.
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Special Guest: Dr. Bonni Stachowiak
Bonni and Dave both mentioned the book, Please Understand Me II by David Keirsey
Get clear on your own personality first
- Journaling
- Books
- Space for quiet/thinking
- Coaching
- Feedback from others and development reports
- Assessments
We tend to lead people the way that we like to be led – but often that's not the other party's preference.
Personality isn't about good and bad or putting people into boxes – it's about preference
There are a few models: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and DiSC are the most popular
- They are both widely accepted models
- They both have fans and critics
- Neither one is perfect
- MBTI a bit easier to understand quickly – has a stronger network of control
- DiSC – less black and white – but very insightful
Things for leaders to be cautious of:
- Assessments are wrong – MBTI only gets all four correct 65%-80% of the time
- Beware people that tell you that assessments are the end all and be all of hiring and leading people (or that their assessment is perfect)
- Personality isn't about good and bad or putting people into boxes – it's about preference
- Any strength overused becomes a liability
- If you have someone come in to work with your team, have someone who is well trained, experienced, and just uses assessments as one data point
Community Feedback
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E-mail from Roxann
“First I would like to say thank you for your show. Absolutely love it. My question is how do you work in organization where there is no vision mentoring or follow up? I am responsible for training helping etc. and I do not have the support. It is my desire to be the best I can be and to empower those come into contact with on a daily basis to reach their destiny. Thank you in advance.”
Dave's response. Please include your thoughts as well in the comments below.
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Wherever you are in the world, whatever is on your agenda today, take one idea from this show to engage and develop someone you lead.