Week 22: Eagle Source
Most Powerful Leadership Tool
As we addressed last week, validation is the most powerful leadership tool. When we appropriately validate others, we will experience successful and healthy relationships. Understanding validation allows us to successfully navigate conflict, challenges and disappointment that affect our relationships.
While the validation techniques that we address are easy to understand, they require intentionality and hard work to be delivered with sincerity and authenticity.
Validation Guidelines
The following information gives specific guidelines that allow you to give “the essential gift” of validation. We will be discussing these thoughts further when we meet as an Eagle Team in a couple of weeks.
Monkeys are validated, encouraged, and motivated by the approval and affirmation of others. Keep eye contact with them and remember that they take criticism very personally. Words easily validate - or invalidate monkeys, therefore, learning how we communicate with a Monkey is just as important as what we communicate.
Lions are validated, encouraged, and motivated by respect, empowerment, and the accomplishment of the task. Strong and confident language is needed when speaking to a Lion. Conversely, do not take the direct and sometimes rude words of a Lion personally. Lions need us to acknowledge their ability to accomplish the task.
Camels are validated, encouraged, and motivated through organized, detailed processes. It is equally important to recognize the quality of their work. When communicating with a Camel, be willing to listen to their details, provide clear expectations, and realize that they are black and white communicators.
Turtles are validated through one-on-one interpersonal relationships. When communicating with a Turtle take the time to listen and to value their wisdom. Remember they need timelines that are clearly communicated with accountable follow up.
You’ve probably already figured-out the obvious:
Our focus in this session is to strengthen our ability to validate those who speak different personality languages.
Reflection Questions
Here are a few questions for your consideration as we prepare for our Eagle Team time discussion:
What personality type(s) do you find the easiest to validate or motivate? Think about those relationships and why you succeed with these personalities.
What personality type(s) do you find the most difficult to validate or motivate? Think about those relationships and where you struggle.
Higher Flight
For additional information and understanding, here are some relevant resources that you may find useful:
1. Read the article:
Leadership and the 7 I's for Influencing Others
2. Watch the videos:
Remember to use your Eagle Teams Digital Notebook to document your thoughts and insights.
