Identifying your own and being aware of others’ behavioural style will contribute to your leadership success in several ways. First, this recognition improves your interaction and communication with others so that your interaction with that person accomplishes its goal. For example, if you know someone has an analytical style, you will adjust the way you talk and act to avoid triggering an emotional reaction in that person. Second, it allows you to showcase or model, and thus teach, the combination of behavioural styles that work best. And third, it gives you an opportunity to play to your strength.
There are four main categories of behavioural styles that are generally recognized. Note that different researchers assign different names to these attributes:
• analytical, driver, amiable and expressive (developed by Larry Wilson Learning System)
• thinker, feeler, intuitor, and sensor (developed by Carl Jung)
• thinker, director, relator, and socializer (developed by Tony Alessandra)
• dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness (developed by William Moulton Marston)
As you learn more about your own and other’s preferences, you will hone your skill of Positive Presence for more meaningful relationships and performance transformation.
