Interpersonal Leadership Results

When I was younger, I used to love taking short quizes that would reveal some fact about myself. They were usually pop-culture related and I would end up finding out what Disney Princess I was most like (I always tried to get Belle) or what Hogwarts House I was a part of (I always skewed my answers to get into Gryffindor). I would post my results on the popular news feed of the year (at that time it was Xanga or MySpace) so that all my friends could see that indeed, I was as brave and courageous as a Gryffindor. Wasn't I cool?

Now that I've evolved past that point (have I though?), I've started taking more "adult" versions of these tests. Ones that have actually been vetted through and teach you more about your personality, your leadership style or you fascination triggers. You may recall that I discussed my Fascination Triggers results in this blog post. My two triggers were prestige and power which were defined me as acute, discerning and detail oriented. I don't settle for average. I'm a combination of ambitious, goal-oriented, social, expressive, and intuitive. Most recently, I took a survey to define my Interpersonal Leadership Styles by the Stratton Consultant Group. The purpose of this survey was to become more self aware of your own strengths and weaknesses but also how to work with other styles of leadership.

There are four types of "buckets" that you can be placed into. Unlike the surveys I used to take when I was younger, the answers you give can't really be skewed towards a certain outcome - plus you aren't really aware of the four types of buckets until the results are revealed which helps to keep you unbiased.

These four buckets are:

1. Persuader - someone who is challenging and spontaneous, people oriented, creative, and has high energy
2. Counselor - someone who is spontaneous and supporting, who leads from behind, takes the back seat sometimes, flexible, and a people person
3. Director - someone who is challenging and disciplined, directive, impactful and structured
4. Analyzer - someone who is supporting and disciplined, loves data, cares about the facts, the process and quality

Before my results were revealed to me, I think I identified the most with the Persuader category and wasn't all that surprised to see that I was indeed put in that part of the grid. The more I read about it though, the more mixed feelings I had about it. Some points were absolutely 100% spot on and others I felt didn't define me as perfectly. I realized that was the challenging part of myself  but I also decided (and whether this is correct to assume or not) not every piece of this description is going to apply 100% and instead, some of these pieces may only be 60% or less but should definitely be something you become aware of so you can learn to adjust accordingly.

Some of the points that were spot on:

1. “enthusiasm”
2. “frequently outgoing”
3. “stimulating, lively and personable”
4. “eager to please others…attach themselves to people they admire and seek recognition from them”
5. “aggressive nature can make them impulsive”
6. "competitive to an unhealthy degree”
7. "overly emotional"

I am definitely the type of person who wears my emotions on the proverbial sleeve. I am extremely outgoing and overly enthusiastic. I would also like to think that I'm personable and lively and I definitely, 100% want to be liked and recognized for my talent. I do get ridiculously competitive - even over little things and can pout if I don't "win." I'm also very impulsive - I make decisions sometimes without analyzing everything. I recently tried to change that piece of me when I actually attempted to research my two options and let the decision sit for a week. That was really a challenge for me but I can see the benefit to it. 

Points that I was unsure of:

1. "lack of follow up"
2. "bored easily"
3. "unreliable"
4. "frequently inflexible"

Not to sound cocky, but I make it a point to always follow up and I don't consider myself unreliable. In fact, I think I'm too reliable and people take advantage of that. I work when I'm on vacation when I don't have to. I don't necessarily mind it but I'm also not exactly thrilled that I have this part in me that constantly wants to please others. I never back down from a project and I see it through to the end.

I did take a closer look at "bored easily" and "frequently inflexible." I've realized that I do actually get bored and I'm never actually satisfied. For example, I strive for the Senior Planner role and when I get it, I'm already thinking about what the next move I have to make. I don't just enjoy the new role I'm in, I'm unsatisfied. Also in terms of being inflexible, I do tend to lean towards my comfort zone and my way of doing things. Even though I adapt to my environment and understand it, I am inconsistent with how I work with certain people. With some I have all the patience in the world and with others I make snap comments. I think these are really important factors to keep in mind and to develop into something better. 

Comparing this to my Fascination Triggers, there is definitely a correlation to my social butterfly ways, my ambition, acuteness, and enthusiasm. Pretty interesting stuff.

Bottom line, it's important to understand the balance between the pros and cons of these results, how to work with the other buckets mentioned above, how to incorporate members from each group within my own team and how to become more self aware of these pros/cons and use them to my best advantage.

-D

PS

Earlier this week, I was told that I actually received the promotion - I am now a Manager of Integrated Investments and I couldn't be more pumped. I'm going to take a lesson from the Interpersonal Leadership Results, take 10 breaths, stop and enjoy and try not to get bored right away!