Week 33: Eagle Focus
The DNA Leadership Dance
In this session of the Eagle Teams Group Experience, we’ll look at a key component of leadership we call “The DNA Leadership Dance.” Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to embarrass yourself in front of your team showing off your best moves. No, this dance is internal: it is acting upon a personal decision to engage personality types that are different from your own. It is the ultimate act of leadership.
Just like there are four personality traits, there is a four-quadrant continuum that explains the basic nature of each personality type. Each of us has a place on the continuum.
Those who are people-oriented and extroverted (upper right) are Much-Loved Monkeys.
Those who are extroverted and task-oriented (lower right) are Leading Lions.
Those who are task-oriented and introverted (lower left) are Competent Camels.
Those who are person-oriented yet introverted (upper left) are Tranquil Turtles.
Leadership Dance Explained
Each personality finds the greatest comfort and energy while operating in their own quadrant. Choosing to leave the comfort of our own quadrant in order to intentionally engage a personality from a different quadrant is the first step of the dance.
In other words, we have to make moves to speak their language and listen on their terms. When we do so, we validate them. Validating others is leadership.
As a leader, we validate another when we approach them in ways that match their personality- the first step of The Leadership Dance. When we do that, we offer validation and respect to the individual. If we know the animal personalities of the people we lead, and approach them on their terms, we will be a highly effective leader.
As we explore DNA and the Leadership Dance, read pages 68-72 of the Make a Difference Book , noting where you would appear on the continuum on page 69. If you have previously read these pages, simply take a few minutes to review it.
Remember to use your Eagle Teams Digital Notebook to document any reflections or thoughts you might have after reading.
