As a leader, one of your primary tasks is to manage people under your supervision. Whether you’re the CEO of a large company, a COO, or a manager in a marketing agency, you need to be able to lead your team effectively. However, many leaders often find themselves in a quandary when it comes to managing people from different backgrounds, cultures, and personalities. That’s why it’s crucial to lead based on who people are, not on who you are.
Every person is unique, and leaders should respect these differences and tailor their leadership style to suit the individual. In this blog post, we will discuss how you can lead based on who people are, so you can improve your leadership skills, enhance your team’s engagement and productivity, and ultimately achieve your organization’s goals.
Understand your team’s personality types
Before you can lead your team effectively, you need to understand their personality types. Each person has a distinct personality type that significantly influences their working style, communication patterns, and how they respond to stress. Understanding their personality types can help you predict how they’ll react in certain situations, which can help you adjust your style accordingly.
One popular personality assessment tool is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The MBTI helps identify 16 different personality types based on four dichotomies – Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I), Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N), Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F), and Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P). By understanding your team’s personality types, you can lead them more effectively by tailoring your communication style, delegating tasks, and providing feedback that aligns with their preferences.
Adapt your communication style
Effective communication is crucial for any successful leader. However, to lead based on who people are, you need to adapt your communication style to suit each person. For instance, introverted team members may prefer written communication or one-on-one conversations, while extroverted team members may enjoy team meetings or brainstorming sessions.
Similarly, some team members may prefer direct and straightforward feedback, while others may need a more sensitive approach to avoid feeling discouraged. Paying attention to your team’s communication patterns and preferences can help you build stronger relationships and foster a positive work environment.
Provide the necessary support and resources
As a leader, you need to provide your team with the necessary support and resources to excel in their roles. Every team member has their strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these can help you provide the required support and resources.
For instance, if you have a team member who struggles with public speaking, you can offer them resources such as public speaking courses or coaching sessions to help them overcome their weakness. Similarly, if a team member excels at a particular task, you can provide them with additional resources and support to enhance their skills further.
Give your team autonomy
Providing your team with autonomy helps build trust, enhances their job satisfaction, and boosts productivity. When employees are given autonomy, they feel trusted and respected, which motivates them to take ownership of their work and perform to the best of their abilities.
However, while giving your team autonomy, you need to be vigilant to ensure that they are still aligned with the organization’s goals. Establish clear expectations and benchmarks, check in with them regularly, and offer feedback and support when necessary.
Leading through empathy
Finally, one of the essential qualities of a great leader is empathy. To lead based on who people are, you need to understand and appreciate your team’s struggles, aspirations, and feelings. By putting yourself in their shoes, you can build deeper connections, foster trust, and create a better work environment.
In conclusion, as a leader, your primary goal should be to lead based on who people are, not on who you are. By understanding your team’s personality types, adapting your communication style, providing the necessary support, offering autonomy, and leading through empathy, you can improve your leadership skills, enhance your team’s engagement, and ultimately achieve your organization’s goals. Take the time and effort to get to know your team members, be open-minded, and strive to become a leader that people trust, respect, and admire.
