Personality Styles or…. How to work with someone you’d

rather kill!

Brian Dolan

The Rewards of Personality The right person for the

right job Understanding your

fellow team members by understanding the four basic personalities

Each personality has strengths & weaknesses

Know why you react the way you do

Learn from the personality least like yourself

Ten Commandments of personality theory

1. Personality is about preferences 2. Your strength pushed becomes a

weakness 3. Your personality is made up of nature,

nurture and choice 4. Personality is never an excuse 5. Behaviour may change over time,

personality tends to remain the same 6. When people are doing ‘what comes

naturally’ they are more effective 7. You must begin with yourself before

you can apply it to others 8. Changing your behaviour is easier said

than done 9. Don’t blame everything on your

opposite type 10. No good or bad personalities – only

differences

Dominant at their best ‘THE DOER’ Got their homework done fast Movers & shakers Love get rich quick schemes Self sufficient Compulsive need for change Strong-willed and decisive Can run anything Goal oriented Organizes well Delegates work Excels in emergencies Walk with purpose Unemotional Big picture people

Dominant at their worst Not comfortable with small

talk or leisure time A tendency to run right

over people Assumes that

encouragement will lead others to slack off

A door slammer & horn blower

Can carry a grudge Can be opinionated & crafty

in getting their own way Has little need for friends

Dominant - Directive Strategy Appeal to their sense of

authority Let them take charge Show them how to get

results quickly Don’t bog them down

with explanations Stick to the point Avoid personal matters

and small talk Use them to give the

larger picture to others Show them how the

change benefits them

Influencing at their best ‘THE TALKER’

People are their life-blood Storyteller, bundle of laughs Ability to charm others Embarrassing situations are

entertainment Enthusiastic and expressive Curious & always a child Volunteers for jobs Creative and colourful Very generous Love red ‘everything’ Never at a loss for words A “toucher” Live a completely open – life Have a multitude of contacts

Influencing at their worst May not finish the job Forget peoples names Last of the big spenders Lack boundaries Too impulsive If they know it, they will

tell it “Messy”& lack of self

discipline Worm out of trouble Have quick, hot flashes of

anger

Influencing - Interactive Strategy Appeal to the ego Give them attention Don’t bog them down

with details Praise them and they

will follow any change and love it

Ask them to mentor others

Steady at their best ‘THE WATCHER” Nothing bothers them Low-key personality Calm, cool, collected Happily reconciled to life Mediates problems Is a good listener Savers & bargain shops Most difficult to spot Not extremely anything Most balanced – most relaxed Saunter into a room Everyone likes them Have no enemies It won’t be flashy, perfect or fast, but it

will get done

Steady at their worst Lack motivation Lazy Self-protective Very stubborn Most fearful

Steady - Supportive Strategy Appeal to their sense

of ‘belonging’ Don’t rush change Don’t single them out Play down the risks of

change

Cautious at their best ‘THE THINKER” Develops and follows a budget Long time making decisions Lined up their toys in rows Practiced the piano till perfect Deep, thoughtful, analytical Talented and creative Like lists, charts, graphs Detail conscious Neat and tidy Economical Deep concern and compassion Their lives are closed & private Make few mistakes

Cautious at their worst Fear can paralyse

May be overly conservative

Can walk around with a black cloud

Can be moody Can have a low self-

esteem

I am smiling!!!

Cautious – Corrective Strategy Appeal to logic Keep to the facts Show proof through

research and data Avoid anything personal Give time for thought Avoid sudden changes

that disrupt their habits Need someone or

something to provide structure

Need to be told what to do

Communicating with the ‘Influencer’ Give

attention affection approval acceptance

Talk about the relationship

Use ideas that elicit an emotional response

Request their opinion Reward frequently with

‘adjectives’ and ’thank-you’

Communicating with the ‘Dominant’ Give

brevity credit for abilities appreciation for accomplishments

Use facts, data, & project outcomes

Be as direct as you can Use goals & ends to get them

on board Don’t interrupt Deal with the fact, not the

person Look them in the eye

Communicating with the ‘Steady’ Give

feeling of worth understanding emotional support harmony

Create a supportive environment

Request input and suggestions

Ask a lot of questions Reward them with a rest

at the end of the day

Communicating with the Conscientious Give

space silence sensitivity support

Be prepared and know your facts Use specific data in an analytical form Use examples Allow time for processing and decision making Accept that you may not get it ‘exactly right’

You can possess all the knowledge and skill necessary but not effectively lead people

The challenge for leaders is being aware of our own styles and learning how to interact effectively with those who do not share the same style mix

Our teams succeed primarily because of human relationships