In our experience, leadership development programs work the best when they are tailored to the individual. It’s not about conforming. It’s about performing.
Boardman, Ohio (PRWEB) September 30, 2014
If you were to create a list of the most important qualities of a leader, what would it say? Would you place a high value on charisma? Organizational skills? Determination?
Although it might be tempting to create a leadership “wish list,” the truth is that just as there are different types of people, so too are there different types of leaders. But if good leaders come in many different forms, how can companies create leadership development programs that account for this kind of diversity?
PeopleKeys, an Ohio-based company that specializes in behavioral analysis, believes that the answer to this question lies in creating leadership development programs that focus on personality types.
Specifically, PeopleKeys advocates implementing leadership development programs that use personality tests to identify the innate skills that each person possesses, based on personality type. From there, personality profiles can be used to create leadership training that doesn’t ask everyone to fit the same pre-determined mold. PeopleKeys believes that because each person brings different strengths to the table, they should be encouraged to approach leadership differently.
PeopleKeys Director of Training John Schindell said, “Leadership development is more than just ‘training.’ Training implies that you’re imposing the skills you’re looking for onto candidates. Development, on the other hand, is a process of bringing out the unique leadership qualities within each individual. Can an introverted person be an effective leader? Absolutely! But the process of fostering leadership skills within that personality type would need to follow a different process and have different goals than it would for a more extroverted person. You can’t just look at everyone and say, ‘Be outgoing,’ any more than you could look at a person and say, ‘Be taller.’ In our experience, leadership development programs work the best when they are tailored to the individual. It’s not about conforming. It’s about performing.”
Schindell continued, “Some leaders are bold and daring—They are quick to seize an opportunity and are not afraid to meet challenges head on. Other leaders are fantastic motivators and have the ability to inspire greatness in their followers. Some leaders like to lead by example. Others lead by virtue of their ability and extensive knowledge. But one style isn’t better than others. In fact, different situations call for different leadership styles. Knowing your personality type allows you to capitalize on your leadership strengths, and make the appropriate adjustments when the environment demands it. Good leaders don’t follow a set of one-size-fits-all rules. They are out-of-the box thinkers that know how to innovate, how to solve problems, and how to evolve.”
Schindell also emphasized that it is important for companies to re-define what it means to be a good leader. Specifically, he believes that good leaders must be encouraged not only to understand their own personalities, but also the personalities of the people around them. When charged with leading a diverse group of people, success is often tied to adaptability.
“Earning the trust and respect of all the people within an organization is a challenge that must be met with a keen understanding of the differences between individuals,” said Schindell. “Personality influences how people are motivated, how they prefer to approach tasks, communication style, and how they respond to stress. Leadership development programs that are most successful are the ones that account for the complex dynamic that drives these reactions. It’s important to be able recognize someone’s personality style, and adjust your approach accordingly.”
To help bring awareness to the important ways that personality type impacts good leadership development practices, PeopleKeys is offering a live streaming Leadership Development webinar on their website on Friday, October 17th at 1 pm EST. Access to the Leadership Development webinar is available to the general public for a cost of $49 dollars, and will be taught by master DISC coach John Schindell as a part of his “DISC for the Real World” training series.
For more information about PeopleKeys, their personality testing and behavioral analysis tools, or to register for the October 17th Leadership Development webinar, visit peoplekeys.com.
About PeopleKeys
PeopleKeys has been providing tools to measure the connection between personality and human behavior for over 30 years. PeopleKeys believes that an understanding of human behavior can be used to create effective leaders, improve relationships, streamline productivity, resolve conflict, and reduce stress. Their DISC personality tests and behavioral analysis tools have been translated into over a dozen different languages, and are sold around the world. For more information about PeopleKeys and their DISC solutions, please contact Marketing Manager Kaitlyn Miller at 330-599-5580 x113.