by Rick Olsen, PhD
Do you like fireworks? Some people love the bright colors and big booms. Others hate the loud noise and smoke. Same event, different reactions. Isn’t that the way with people? Everyone is different and that means working together can sometimes be a challenge.
Collaborating well together typically requires that each person be aware and adaptable. Each team member needs to be aware of the current situation and who they are. For example, Nancy might be a patient person who prefers not to be rushed and proceeding in an orderly sequence to get things done well. If she knows that about herself that’s a start! However, she also needs to be aware of situations like “that claim was misfiled so we need to post quickly for timely payment.” But, awareness is only half the formula. The second attribute of great team members is adaptability. Can Nancy adapt to the need for a quicker pace? Even though she prefers “patience”, can she perform “urgently?”
Practice managers can play a central role in fostering both these attributes. However, they often lack a systematic vocabulary and set of tools for doing so. How do you help Nancy grow in her self-awareness, situational awareness, and adapting strategies?
Well, at our annual conference in September, we’ll be using tools from The Forté Institute to foster self-awareness, adaptability, and guide those who may need to coach co-workers. You’ll learn about the four key dimensions that inform everyone’s communication style. You’ll learn about key motivators and demotivators for yourself and others and be able to have conversations—even about difficult issues—that recognize one another’s strengths and foster trust even while getting to important issues and patterns in the office.
For the general session and two breakout sessions to be successful it will be important for you to complete your Forté profile before the conference. NORM conference attendees, watch for an email from theforteinstitute.com in September.
Each firework is unique. But, to fully reveal itself to the world, it needs to be ignited. Each person, with a nod to Katie Perry, can be a firework too. They just need to be communicated with in ways that motivate them to be their best self. The team will be better for it too!
The Forté Institute – Introduction from The Forté Institute on Vimeo.
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