Recently, a business associate asked me what universals exist for leading diverse personalities. My colleague mentioned how so many professional training programs incorporate "personality profiles" into the mix for professional skills. We have also read in business literature for more than a decade now about talent retention and management, human capital, social networking, social intelligence, and emotional intelligence. These terms refer to making and maintaining personal connections to ensure the health of our leaders, employees, and organizations.
Psychologists define "personality traits" as those preferred or typical behavior and thinking patterns an individual is most likely to demonstrate. Options for profiles include Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Interact, Strengthfinder, Gregorc's Type Delineator, SELF--among others. Without referring to a profile, however, can we identify some safe, simple, and effective guidelines for interacting with the diversity of people in the workplace?
In answer to this question, consider four competencies integral to creating personal connections: communication, negotiation, management, and teamwork. Leaders and coworkers can increase their human awareness, regardless of specific personality traits and profiles. But, beware: connecting with one another means risking vulerability, so only the courageous need continue reading.
Let's briefly consider communication first. Our communication skills and strategies are foundational to our success. We all want others to talk with us, to be direct with us, and to value our input. Three behaviors we appreciate from our leaders and coworkers are (1) listening without interrupting, (2) asking permission regarding our time and space, and (3) expressing empathy for our emotional and physical well-being.
Second, negotiation skills create a respectful work atmosphere. These skills are extensions of basic communication skills. We all appreciate it when leaders and coworkers are committed to finding commonalities and similarities, honoring fairness through consistent and dignified treatment, and giving forgiveness in the face of unintentional frailty (weakness), flaw (deficiency), or fault (error).
Third, management skills provide a necessary framework in which leaders and coworkers can offer encouragement, accept responsibility, and nurture accountability. When leaders and coworkers are convinced of one another's competence, even when our personal confidence waivers, we can rise to the task at hand. Performance and productivity improve when we have the support and resources from others around us.
Finally, teamwork evolves through sharing credit, showing recognition, and developing trust. Team leaders and team members bond over time and through stressful conditions by carrying the load, jumping the hurdles, and earning the trophies together. If not with all, then always for all of the team!
We hunger for personal connection within the automated and technical workplace. Being treated as a valued and valuable person within the organization, or doing business with the organization, encourages each of us to be a loyal employee, customer, or partner. Begin today to connect with the people around you where you work. It is worth the time and effort!
Showing posts with label networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label networking. Show all posts
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
NOMAD Leadership
Nomads wander with no permanent residence other than the portable home they pack. Typically, they light wherever the resources can be found. The lifestyle of the nomad lies in poetry and song. The nomad concept can reveal crucial leadership skills as well.
NOMAD: Narrator, Observer, Model, Ally, and Director
A leader narrates the story, the truth. A leader markets a purpose and demonstrates a mission.
A leader is an observer who readily takes, makes, and shares opportunities. A leader is an informed risk-taker who transitions from hindsight to foresight in a clear vision and direction.
A leader models core values, acts on principle, stands alone when necessary, and operates within an ethical code of conduct.
A leader creates alliances, serves followers, and connects through networking and collaborating.
A leader directs others and delegates tasks while developing key team members.
By telling the story, clarifying the vision, modeling the ethics, allying the team, and directing the efforts, the leader fashions results and benefits that propel a business or a family forward--ever forward.
NOMAD: Narrator, Observer, Model, Ally, and Director
A leader narrates the story, the truth. A leader markets a purpose and demonstrates a mission.
A leader is an observer who readily takes, makes, and shares opportunities. A leader is an informed risk-taker who transitions from hindsight to foresight in a clear vision and direction.
A leader models core values, acts on principle, stands alone when necessary, and operates within an ethical code of conduct.
A leader creates alliances, serves followers, and connects through networking and collaborating.
A leader directs others and delegates tasks while developing key team members.
By telling the story, clarifying the vision, modeling the ethics, allying the team, and directing the efforts, the leader fashions results and benefits that propel a business or a family forward--ever forward.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What's in a Name?
People often ask me how to remember names in business settings. Making your name memorable for others is a way to help other people remember your name. My friend of many years, Anne Baber, says, "That's Anne with an E and Babe with an R." Clever of her to have such a fortunate name!
My name, Karen Lynne Anderson, means "Pure Waterfall Son of Andrew." Somehow it does not tickle the memory, and people often say, "What was your name again?" as if I changed it during the few moments of awkward conversation we just had. I have discovered that exchanging names best works for all parties after a brief dialog has revealed some character hook on which to hang the name in memory. For instance, "Karen is a caring person," and "Karen And-er-son own a construction company."
Lots of research regarding names is available on the Internet. One study that's emblazened on my mind stated that people with typical, common first names are more likely to be liked by teachers, so these students do well in school. In contrast, unusual names grab attention and lead to leadership opportunities, according to the same study. An interesting observation in another study determined Wayne is the most common name, either first or middle name, for people convicted of crimes, especially serial killers. Ouch!
During learning events, people like their names spoken and evaluate their presenters with high scores for pronouncing people's names correctly and for using them appropriately. in writing research, a correct and specific salutation is more likely rewarded with a reader taking time to read the message than an unpreferred name or title. In other words, "Dear Karen" works better than "Dear Valued Customer" or "Hi, Mr. Karen Anderson."
Another note on the courtesy title: be aware that "Mrs." means "married to," so the name that follows is traditionally the man's name: Mrs. Charles R. Anderson rather than Mrs. Betty L. Anderson. If a woman's last name is different from her husband's, she can be addressed as "Ms. Anderson" (her family name) instead of "Mrs. Langhofer" (his family name).
Finally, a point regarding proper introductions: The person with the higher status, such as a boss, is introduced to the person with the lower status, such as a new employee. For example, "Lee, I'd like you to meet Dr. Howard, the chair of our board of directors." If both parties are peers and one is female, the woman is introduced to the man as a matter of custom. "John, please meet Vicki Smith."
Name recognition and identity theft are topics of discussion at many networking events--and no wonder: names are pivot points in sales, arguments, and influence.
My name, Karen Lynne Anderson, means "Pure Waterfall Son of Andrew." Somehow it does not tickle the memory, and people often say, "What was your name again?" as if I changed it during the few moments of awkward conversation we just had. I have discovered that exchanging names best works for all parties after a brief dialog has revealed some character hook on which to hang the name in memory. For instance, "Karen is a caring person," and "Karen And-er-son own a construction company."
Lots of research regarding names is available on the Internet. One study that's emblazened on my mind stated that people with typical, common first names are more likely to be liked by teachers, so these students do well in school. In contrast, unusual names grab attention and lead to leadership opportunities, according to the same study. An interesting observation in another study determined Wayne is the most common name, either first or middle name, for people convicted of crimes, especially serial killers. Ouch!
During learning events, people like their names spoken and evaluate their presenters with high scores for pronouncing people's names correctly and for using them appropriately. in writing research, a correct and specific salutation is more likely rewarded with a reader taking time to read the message than an unpreferred name or title. In other words, "Dear Karen" works better than "Dear Valued Customer" or "Hi, Mr. Karen Anderson."
Another note on the courtesy title: be aware that "Mrs." means "married to," so the name that follows is traditionally the man's name: Mrs. Charles R. Anderson rather than Mrs. Betty L. Anderson. If a woman's last name is different from her husband's, she can be addressed as "Ms. Anderson" (her family name) instead of "Mrs. Langhofer" (his family name).
Finally, a point regarding proper introductions: The person with the higher status, such as a boss, is introduced to the person with the lower status, such as a new employee. For example, "Lee, I'd like you to meet Dr. Howard, the chair of our board of directors." If both parties are peers and one is female, the woman is introduced to the man as a matter of custom. "John, please meet Vicki Smith."
Name recognition and identity theft are topics of discussion at many networking events--and no wonder: names are pivot points in sales, arguments, and influence.
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