There Is Power In Difference

I love my mates!

They laugh with me, like similar things and we feel comfortable with each other.

But we are not trying to be productive or effective. Our purpose is to enjoy each other’s company. (OK we did once try the Crystal Maze experience as a team, and that was “interesting” to say the least.)

We want to feel easy and comfortable and are happy for our similarities.

And it is often the case that at work we like the same things.

But therein lies the problem.

I see people being hired because they are like the boss, or they are in the role because they are seemingly easy to get on with, or we like them for their football club (ok, maybe not so much).

But the thing is, the more we surround ourselves with people who are like us, the more bad things can happen.

So, what’s going on?

Well, it’s the good old phrase of “too many cooks, spoil the broth” that comes to mind.

Having similar views, similar experience and ways of doing things stops us from performing at our best as a team. 

We find we get:

·      Confirmation bias

·      Lack of new skills

·      Lack of someone to delegate to

·      Cliques and awkward groups

·      Stale, unproductive teams

·      No new ideas

And this means we get stuck in our old ways of doing, resist change and are not able to utilise different skills.

We just can’t perform as well as a diverse team, even if we are really comfortable with each other. In fact, especially because we are comfortable with each other.

So, we need to create a team that can support and complement rather than be the same as each other.

And one of the easiest ways to help you and your team to do this is with the powerful behavioural profiling tool - DISC.

I use this with all my clients and teams because it is a practical way to understand the types of people, communicators and actions you will see in your teams.

It enables you to make best use of the talent and collaboration you need.

Imagine that there are two axes – firstly what you focus on when there is a task to do, and secondly the way in which you go about it.

Task or people focus

And

In an extrovert or introvert way.

It creates 4 quadrants which define some of the characteristics you will see.

D – a task focused extrovert that can be dominant, an action taker – a doer. Great to get things moving and focused on results. But too many or too much can create conflict, fear and toxicity

I – a people focused extrovert who is inspirational and brings people with them – but too much means a lack of completion, too many plates spinning and unfinished business.

S – a people focused introvert, like the glue in the team. Caring, sharing, but doesn’t like change and might create a stagnant environment when there is too much of a good thing

C – a task focused introvert – fabulous for detail, making sure those “I” styles have checked the risks and for getting things compliant and correct. Too much of this will create procedures and process for process’ sake and build a very risk averse team who could easily alienate themselves.

So, you can see that a little bit of each can go a long way. Being able to appreciate different skills and approaches from each quadrant will mean that a team becomes more powerful, with better balance and outcomes. A good dose of momentum and challenge but balanced with careful planning and caring and the ability to communicate well.

Now if you are able to understand the team and see where they are coming from, then you are able to utilise it.

And that is what we do with DISC behavioural profiling and our “Get to know your team” days. 

We apply the science to create practical advantages in your team.

I did a short live training on this on Thursday which you can catch here.

And if you would like some help applying this in your team then message me for details of how you can work with me.

Julie.

Julie "Chief Impact Engineer" Hutchison

Email: [email protected]

P.S. Whenever you are ready...here are 4 ways I can help you increase your impact as a leader:

1. Join The "Quiet Leaders Lab™ Facebook Group and connect with other leaders who want to grow

It's our Facebook community where those that are The Quiet Leaders can learn and share how to increase their impact, influence and outcomes -- Click here

2. Grab a free copy of my leadership impact report: The Team Performance Engine™

It’s the Road Map to your journey to increasing your impact as a leader -Click here

3. Join our Leaders Launchpad™ Mastermind Group Programme

This Mastermind is a selected group of like-minded leaders, in an online community, focused on growing your results.  

With training, group coaching calls, guest speakers and more, supporting and challenging you to design and implement real team performance in your business.

Send me a message or email [email protected] with "IMPLEMENT" in the subject line and we can discuss how you can join us

4. Work with me and my team privately

If you or your team just need a little more one to one attention to make change happen in your business... just message and put "PRIVATE" in the subject line... tell me a little about your business and what you’d like to work on together, and I’ll get you all the details!