Have a Team Member With a Super “Unique” Personality?

Ego-centric, direct, domineering, controlling, independent, critical…that list sounded down-right nasty to me. I didn’t want to be a “D” personality! I promptly decided I disliked personality tests. No one was going to put a label on me as to what personality type I had. Decision made.

Have you ever felt that way when taking a personality test?

We tend to notice all the negative words and characteristics more than the positive ones. At least I did! I had an aversion to personality tests from the time we took the Myers-Briggs test as a couple. We took it when we were applying to our denomination’s missions department.

After a year-long process, they determined that we were not fit for the field. Part of the reason was the dramatic difference in our personality types. Hmmm. We have now been on the field for more than twenty-five years.

So is there any value to these tests? Can they help with team unity and understanding? Or are they a waste of time?

In spite of my negative experiences with them, I have to say they are very helpful if approached in the right way. They shine a light on the differences between team members. Understanding personality types for various team members can bring a much better understanding.

In last week’s blog, I introduced three areas where teams have misunderstandings. Let’s go into a bit more detail now on personality types and temperaments.

Differences in Personality and Temperament

Differences in personality and temperament can drive us apart. Or, they can make us into a strong and effective team.

Much depends on whether we decide to celebrate and affirm our differences. In contrast, we might be tempted to do the opposite. We can secretly want everyone to behave, value and think about things the same as we do. When we allow ourselves to have that internal perspective, we end up critical and angry.

Do You “Bite” or “Serve” One Another?

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Gal 5:13-15 NIV

Steps to Take As A Team

1) Explore Tools to Learn about Yourself and Others

There are many good tools for learning about your personality type and temperament. Take a look at my free download of the various tools I have used. Choose one that you will use as a team. I personally like the DISC test. (In spite of not liking the initial results for my own personality!) I like it because it is quite easy to understand. But there are many good options you can use.

Make time in your normal work schedule to do this test and receive your individual results.

2) Determine to Celebrate These Personality Differences

After taking the tests, set aside a time to share these results with one another. If you are the team leader, ask permission to have a copy of the results from each person. You will need to study these. Be serious about learning who each person on the team is and how they best function.

If you can, go on a short retreat away and spend a day together. Do some fun things and also reviewing the results of your personality tests.

Have each person share their results and then receive feedback from the others on the team. It is important that you take time to affirm the positive aspects of that person’s personality as they share. Some may feel insecure or threatened by the test’s results.

Then, pray for one another. Ask God to help each of you to be fully free to be yourselves within the team. Pray that each person would feel valued in who they individually are.

There will be some negative things that come up in the tests as well. Take note of these things, but do not focus on them. Instead, think of them as areas where help and encouragement from other team members are needed.

3) Prayerfully work together so your team’s differences become strengths.

Particularly if you are the team leader, the information you gain from these tests is extremely valuable. Study and learn from it.

Use this understanding of the personality types within your team to guide you. It will help you as you assign various roles and tasks. You want people to be in their “sweet spot” – the place where they function with excellence and joy. You don’t want them to struggle to do things that are not a good fit for their personality type. That won’t serve them or the team well.

Also, keep personality types in mind as you consider the needs of people in the team. Some of your team members need detailed information provided before they can “buy in” to a plan. (The S and C’s on DISC for example).

Others need the freedom to innovate and create or they will feel controlled.

Questions to Consider:

• Here are some questions you may like to consider:
• Do you have someone on your team in the wrong role for their personality?
• What changes might you need to make in job assignments in light of what you have learned?
• What is the balance of personalities in your team currently? Is there a particular kind of person you need to recruit for a strong balance of personality types?

Give It A Try

Personality types and temperaments are not the only thing that can cause disunity in a team. They are certainly one of the major issues to consider though. It is worth putting in time and effort to understand one another in this area.

Have you tried this in your team yet? If so, how did it go? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.