Putting People First Personality Profile – How to Work Together This is a quick, fun and easy tool to get people talking about their different communication styles. It is not a scientific tool, so don’t read too much into it. People can relate to it i.e. “This is so me!” The four different communication styles are not listed in any order. They are not good or bad, right or wrong, they are just different. Once you understand your own communication style and the styles of your coworker, you can work together just fine. You have to be willing to monitor and adjust. Some personalities are more difficult to work with than others. A University of Mississippi study concluded: “90% of the reason people fail in business and industry is not because they lack the skills or ability to do the job, it is because of who they are, their personality.” Presented by: Bob Caldwell, Employee Development Specialist City of Mesa Specifically Designed for: Page 1 of 8 IDENTIFY YOUR BEHAVIOR AT WORK For each of the following statements, read the four choices and circle the one that best describes you at WORK. Then count the number of circled items in each column and write the totals at the bottom. WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT PACE OF SPEECH APPEARANCE COMMUNICATION STYLE MOTIVATED BY THRIVE ON Results, what you want to achieve Very fast Designer clothes, classy dresser, Formal Direct, to the point Dreams & aspirations Fast Bold colors, trendy, Informal Results Pressure, change Animated, excitable Applause Stimulation, fun EXPRESSION OF ANGER WORK STYLE Impatient Aggressive Intense, driven Several tasks at once Easily frustrated, can get explosive Likes freedom Lots of people interaction WORK AREA Priorities Organized Interesting things, gadgets WORK PACE Works fast-a whirlwind Likes change Wasting time Faster, bore easily DISLIKES GROUP ROLE Leader-need for control WANTS APPRECIATION FOR LIKE TO GET REWARDED WITH TOTAL My productivity Reinventing the wheel Rapport builderneed for center of attention My contribution Power Recognition Feelings & experiences Slower Gentle, muted colors, Casual Dreamy thoughts, casual Approval Togetherness, support Gentle Get flustered Easy going, cooperative, Willing to be of service Sentimental mementos & souvenirs Rarely in a hurry Dislike pressure Confrontation Facts & figures Moderate Conservative, classic dresser, Business-like Specific, concise Activity Accuracy, information Slow to anger Rational approach Thorough, attention to detail. One thing at a time Lots of paperwork in piles Methodical Steady stream of work Being wrong Peacemaker-need to feel included My involvement Information provider-need focus & direction My quality of work Approval Responsibility _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Page 2 of 8 UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROFILE To really simplify each style, we can look at one hallmark trait that sums up their entire personality. There is also on main area that they need to improve. Hallmark Traits of Each Profile Values Needs to do more… Panther Results Listening Peacock Recognition Checking for appropriate behavior Dolphin Security/Relationships Initiating Owl Being Correct Declaring: Making the decision The four different communication styles are not listed in any particular order. They are not good or bad, right or wrong, they are just different. Here are some of the key components of your style. Circle the traits from your style that best describe you. Your Personal Style Panther action-oriented decisive problem solver assertive aggressive adventuresome demanding independent Peacock verbal enthusiastic convincing emotional optimistic animated charming generous Dolphin patient loyal team player mature gentle emphatic trusting questioning Owl diplomatic a fact finder conventional precise cautious deliberate analytical logical Each style has a certain number of high wants that strongly motivate them. These are wants that each style greatly values. They may not make much sense or be important to you. You need to recognize that they are very real important to the other styles. High Wants Panther challenges power options authority Peacock social recognition provide service to be with people group activities Dolphin guarantees security quality control appreciation Owl high standards details perfection tradition Page 3 of 8 Checklist for Interacting With… Panthers Dos • • • • • • • Be specific, clear, brief Provide alternative, choices Provide facts and figures Motivate by results and goals Support, maintain Depart graciously If you agree, support results Don’ts • Don’t ramble or waste their time • Don’t forget or lose things • Don’t leave cloudy issues • Don’t convince by “personal” means • Don’t direct or order • Don’t do an “epilogue” bit • If you disagree, don’t reinforce “I’m with you.” Peacocks Dos Don’ts ♥ Leave time for socializing ♥ Don’t be curt or cold ♥ Talk about people and their goals ♥ Don’t drive on facts and figures ♥ Ask for their opinions ♥ Don’t waste time being task-oriented ♥ Provide ideas ♥ Don’t have decisions hanging ♥ Be fun-loving, stimulating, fast ♥ Don’t stick to the agenda too much ♥ Plan dream times ♥ Don’t legislate or muffle ♥ Provide testimonials from people ♥ Don’t talk down to them they see as prominent Dos Dos 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Dolphins Break the ice Show sincere interest in them Be nonthreatening Ask “how” questions Move casually Define clearly personal contributions Listen Owls Prepare in advance Approach in a direct way Take your time If you agree, follow through Provide tangible, practical evidence Provide guarantees List pros and cons Don’ts Don’t rush into business Don’t stick coldly to business Don’t be demanding Don’t debate about facts and figures Don’t be abrupt or rapid Don’t be vague Don’t force them to respond quickly Don’ts 1. Don’t be disorganized 2. Don’t be casual 3. Don’t dilly-dally 4. Don’t provide personal incentives 5. Don’t use someone’s opinions 6. Don’t use gimmicks 7. Don’t rush decision-making Page 4 of 8 Unfortunately each style does not always “play” well with the other styles. Without even being aware, we can cause lots of stress in the lives of others, simply because of who we are. How Each Profile Creates Stress in Others Panther Always in a hurry. Impatient with delays and requires people to do several things at once. Intense! Peacock Can be draining, verbose, emotional. Can use humor inappropriately. Dolphin May slow down the group’s pace. Maybe unclear as to where they stand. Can be indecisive in taking action. Owl Will be intolerant of mistakes and often the slowest to give praise. Requires perfection. May put off making a decision until absolutely certain. There are several indicators and signs that each style will exhibit while under stress. Profiles Under Stress First Reaction Last Reaction Panther Will take control and give orders Gives in Peacock Attacks, lashes out at others Avoids Dolphin Gives in Commands Owl Avoids making decisions and confrontations Attacks Page 5 of 8 The following chart shows the different approaches that each style. For example, Panthers are very deliberate and direct, while Peacocks are direct and spontaneous. Finally, we need to understand that each style complains and tries to resolve conflicts in different ways. The Way They Complain The Ways To Resolve Ask Them… Panther Demanding “I don’t care what it takes, just fix it.” Focus on outcome. Give them choices “What needs to get done?” Peacock Judgmental “So and so was wrong.” Makes a judgment about the situation Identify what’s in it for them, what will add to their status “Who did you talk to?” Dolphin Apologetic “Sorry to bother you, can you help me?” Tell them you need their help. Emphasize they can count on you. “Why do you feel that way?” Owl Objective “The problem as I understand it is…” Be prepared, be credible. Provide back ground information. “How should I proceed?” Page 6 of 8 My Achilles Heel To identify how I need to grow in order to relate to other people. 1. Look at the traits that apply to your profile 2. Select one or two traits you want to change (usually those traits which are taken to an extreme could be your Achilles Heel) 3. Look at the following list and circle any relevant, specific suggestions on how you want to improve. (Don’t be too hard on yourself). Panther Peacock Dolphin Owl Impatient Be more patient Give myself a longer lead time Be more tolerant of delays Relax Pressures others Slow down Pressure others less Be sensitive to others’ needs Be aware of my own limitations Competitive spirit Remember to be part of the team Results will speak for themselves Avoid being too independent Likes to be in control Let others take control Volunteer less Avoid playing power politics Likes to work in a unstructured way Be more organized Let others organize me Pay more attention to details Comes on too strong Be careful not to intimidate others Don’t steal too much of the limelight Slow pace Avoid being too slow Set deadlines Don’t get overwhelmed by pressure Focuses on facts and figures Reduce reliance on facts alone Use other information Trust my intuition More task than people oriented Develop relationships Avoid being judgmental Reacts emotionally Avoid embellishments and exaggerations Avoid being too dramatic Take time before I react State my case objectively Gets personally involved Leave personal issues at home Don’t get to close to coworkers Be more private Remains objective Share my feelings Avoid being aloof Come to a decision quicker Interested in everything and everyone Get down to business quicker Try not to get overly involved with other people Keeps the peace Don’t be afraid to take a stand Assert myself more Take the initiative Talks a lot Don’t dominate the conversation Ask open-ended questions of others Goals may kill spontaneity Be spontaneous about means to reach goals Reach my goals by telling others Sometimes doesn’t speak up State my opinion – it’s important Somewhat inflexible Change plans and deadlines accordingly Be less of a perfectionist Allows others to communicate in their own way Usually listens, but we would never know it Use nonverbal to show that I am listening Be more spontaneous Goals must be met on time Goals and deadlines may need to be changed Be flexible about my deadlines Interrupts Let people complete their sentences Take a breath before I respond Sets many goals Limit the number of goals I set Focus on results Appears vague Think before I speak Organize my thoughts Cautious about commitment to goals Achieve goals with someone else Take action quicker Page 7 of 8 Action Plan Does your profile seem accurate to you? What is positive about your profile? What are areas of opportunity for improvement? Now that you understand that we all communicate differently, what will you have to do more, better or differently to be an effective team communicator? Page 8 of 8
