People are not engineered the same .There is a uniqueness that you find from one person to another .It is a dangerous place to assume that people are the same and should behave the same .
Managers , leaders and supervisors need to develop people skills especially around the issue of personalities .
The writer will briefly share some important insights gathered from his experience as an organizational growth consultant and leadership expert .
1 Some people are reserved .They speak less .(Introverts)
2.Some people speak out their minds .(extroverts )
3 Some people are energized by people and enjoy mingling with people .They are easy going .(phlegmatics)
4.Some People are detail oriented and are excited by goal setting .(melancholic)
5.Some people feel they should be in-charge and they assume leadership most of the times especially when people gather !(choleric)
6. Some people are peace lovers .They may miss deadlines and usually they avoid conflicts .( Sanguine )
Now as you lead or manage your teams you need to assess the individual team members and see where they fit best .As a leader of the team find ways to harness each of the mentioned personality traits above .Usually people are a blend of two or more personalities and sometimes there is one dominating trait which shows up frequently.
Taking for example the melancholic person and putting them in the accounts department may help.He / She enjoy order and working with figures so deploy them there.Recognize their need for order and affirm them and praise them for that.
The easy going phlegmatic makes a very good receptionist .Appreciate their strength in making people feel at home and be careful to show them respect as well because they desire respect .
The strong willed choleric appreciate him or her for their strong and resolute disposition.Assign him/her responsibilities and give them a measure of authority.
The peaceful sanguine appreciate them for their peace loving disposition.
At work , church ,family set up or community levels , these are people we meet and interact with .Some conflicts would be minimized if each individual take time to understand the other person and see how best to work with them .Even in marriages can you imagine a home where a choleric wife is married to a sanguine husband !
The writer Professor Elias Chakabwata(Executive President of Impact Training Institute)is a leadership consultant and organizational growth guru.He can be contacted on 0732288687.
