This ezine is from www.theMindtoLead.com and Suzanne Kryder, Ph.D.

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Thanks very much for subscribing to Mind Matters, the newsletter that turns brain research into practical leadership tools. This issue is only 512 words and takes less than 4 minutes to read.

Later in "News & Resources," registration is open for the Powerful Leader Retreat on November 5th in Albuquerque. This one will be popular, because it covers all of the dreaded conversations communication tools. So, register early.

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In last month’s newsletter, I explained a common problem for many leaders: they interact with every person and every issue in the same way.

While you should treat everyone fairly, that doesn’t mean you should interact with everyone in the same way. You’ve got to vary your style to fit the style of the other person.

And, let’s face it. People who meet or exceed your minimum expectations aren’t the problem. You already know how to interact with them.

You’re reading this because you want to know how to manage challenging people. The key to managing challenging people is knowing how to neutralize resistance-----theirs and yours.

First, recognize that people come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. Resistance does, too.

But, before we look at resistance, let’s review the four styles.

Styling

In the early 20th century, Carl Jung identified four basic psychological functions (thinking, feeling, sensing, and intuition). He also classified people as either "introverted" or "extroverted." A variety of assessments such as the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, DISC Personality System, and Social Styles questionnaire use these functions and classifications to identify an individual’s temperament or style.

The Four Styles

I often use style assessments to help team members be more aware and understanding of each others’ strengths and gaps. Even if you don’t have access to a style assessment, you can probably make a good guess about a person’s primary style by asking these two questions:

“Is this person more of an extrovert or an introvert?”

“When s/he speaks, does s/he tend to talk more about ‘task’ or ‘people’ issues?”

In general, Leaders (extrovert/task) are the bottom-line, get-things-done style.

Socializers (extrovert/people) will talk with anybody about anything, so be ready to listen.

Thinkers (introvert/task) are detailed oriented; be sure you use the right font size in reports to them!

Relaters (introvert/people) are the peacemakers who want everyone to get along.

Remember not to stereotype people as being only one style. While most people tend to have a primary style that’s stronger than the others, each of us uses at least two or more styles on a regular basis.

Flexing

Now, back to resistance.

In addition to behaving in a certain way, each style has a particular way of resisting at work. For example, Leaders can get really rigid, while Relaters may wilt. It’s good to know how to flex, or adapt your leadership approach, to each form of resistance so that you can stay calm while holding everyone accountable for results.

In working with a variety of style assessments over the last two decades, I’ve developed my own system for how to flex your approach in order to reduce each style’s form of resistance.

In the next few newsletters, I’ll describe each of the four styles, their unique form of resistance, and how to overcome it. I’ll share scenarios and suggest exactly what you can say and do when things go sour with each of the four styles.

I'd love to hear your ideas on the four styles. Send me your thoughts or questions about styles.

News and Resources:

• Registration is open for the November 5th Powerful Leader retreat in Albuquerque. Learn to manage every style's resistance and to hold even the most difficult person at work accountable for their commitments. If you already know that you want to attend this retreat, you can go straight to the registration page, otherwise you can read about the retreat here.

  
  

• Instead of a group teleclass in September, I'm offering free laser coaching sessions on September 22, 2009. Bring any work issue that's bugging you to our 15-minute call, and I promise you'll begin resolving it within 24 hours.

  
  

• Download my free Powerful Leader Assessment to measure your influence skills.

Suzanne Kryder, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 35429
Albuquerque, NM 87176 USA
505.232.8433

P.S. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can listen to or download a 10-minute guided exercise on breath awareness here.

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