Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Know Thyself

When I started on staff at NorthStar Church back in 2004, I completed a comprehensive personality profile.  The goal was to not only help our church management understand how I may best fit in, but also to help me understand myself a little better.

It has been nearly eight years, and I pulled out that file today.  I couldn't even remember if I still had it, and I was thankful that I was able to find it.  What I read was absolutely spot-on (well, probably 95 percent accurate).  Here are some highlights:
  • I like to develop people and build organizations
  • I am sensitive to criticism of my work
  • I influence people with my warmth
  • I prefer a "team approach"
  • I like quality social relationships
  • I like managers to make quick decisions
  • I like to be involved in the decision-making process
  • I will not be overlooked nor uninvolved
  • I am deadline-conscious
  • I have a positive sense of humor
  • I verbalize my feelings
  • I am a good mixer
  • I need systems to follow
  • I need strokes for my involvement
  • I need time for relating and socializing
  • I am a good "team player"
  • I enjoy participation in meetings on future planning
There's much more, but this list is dead-on when it comes to identifying ways to motivate me and to provide my ideal work environment.

Reading this list was a great way to remind me of how I need to fit in, but the report also gave me some valuable techniques on how to more positively interact with others, and how I can communicate more effectively with them.

If you've never completed one of these evaluations, I highly recommend it.  Perhaps you can even mention this to your employer as a "benefit" they can provide their employees and the organization as a whole.