Oct
08
Personal Leadership Book: Behavioral Styles
ByThis is the first of numerous posts about topics that will likely be in our next book on “personal leadership,” although that is not likely the title.
Watch and comment, sharing your perspectives and experiences, to help us write the book!
Please share your comments below.
To the “enlightened leader” in you!
Ed Oakley
6 Comments
October 12th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
This was very valuable information. I agree that it is easier to work with people with certain styles, verus others. I better understand the importance of teaching my team members BOTH the strengths and weaknesses of their styles. I believe this will help me be able to work better with all the team members and for all of us to have a better working relationship. Thanks.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:46 am
As a manager and leader of people for a number of years, I have learned the value of understanding the different styles of people who I lead, as well as those who I work with and for. In the various classes and books that I have had the opportunity to be a part of, the primary focus usually has been to study the strengths and vulnerabilities of each style. This has been extremely helpful. The area where I would like to focus and learn more is once I have identified the style of a person, I would like to immediately know the best way of communicating and motivating that person. Of course, I have been exposed to various techniques, and can figure it out if I have enough time to think about it and perhaps do a little research; but I would like to have it in my head to immediately apply to any interaction. If you can provide a way of boiling it down so that I can remember it, that would be a tremendous tool for me as a leader. Thank you for the video clip, my manager shared it with me. I like your informal approach and the 10-minute snippet because it motivates me to focus my thoughts on developing my leadership style in the midst of an extremely busy schedule. I would love to be on your mailing list for future distributions. Thanks again.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Ed,
Thank you. This training will come in very handy when it comes to team building. Our company is going through enormous transformation-change. I have had exposure to Behavioral Styles, but enjoyed your overview/summary and the 4 key points and look forward the book/assessment. You really keep things simple, but, but powerful and I belive that will help me to influence our leaders with Behavioral Styles Training that will stick and motiviate them to be more flexible with others.
I have been more successful when I have been with General Managers that are very direct – they want the answers first – in and out and they respect you more for it. Come prepared- be brief! What style is that?
Thanks!
October 13th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Being a minister, I definately interact, lead, guide etc. multiple styles — some of which are much easier for me to understand and communicate with than others. I am definately wanting to know much more about this so that I can use the information to become the most effective minister that I can be. blessings to you denise
October 15th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Ed,
For the past 10 years I have been responsible for the implementation of new customers using our employee benefits administration software. This has required an internal team as well as an external customer team. Recognizing the different personalities has been key to leading usually diverse teams. These projects last for approximately 8 months each and then you are off to a new project with all new team members. Having additional reference material would be helpful. Thank you.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Ed:
I very much enjoyed the video and applaud your approach to gathering input for your next book.
I have been using DISC for years and everything you said about honoring all styles, understanding myself, recognizing and appreciating the styles of others and adapting effectively has not only helped my clients, but also has helped me personally in big ways.
My youngest son, Kevin, was a very bright child. A deep thinker and someone who really cares about others (he is an optometrist at Indiana University and a specialist in low vision therapy). Kevin and I had a fairly difficult time relating when he was a teenager. I am very fast paced and extroverted, he is very slow paced and introverted. Of course, at the time I didn’t realize that. As I began to learn DISC, practicing on my family, I discovered that KEvin was quite introverted and task oriented. When I would ask him questions, I expected a quick answer, and of course all I got was a blank stare as her searched his mind for how he would respond. I would get upset with him because he wouldn’t answer, and that created conflict. As I learned more about Kevin’s behavioral style, and began to realize our differences were quite significant, I began to adapt to his style, giving him more time to respond. The relatiosnhip improved dramatically and today we have a bond that I would wish for all Dad’s and their son’s. Understanding self and others is not only important to your career, it is important to your life.
Regards,
Jerry