Week 42: Eagle Source
Building the Infrastructure
Last week, we continued our discussion around the importance of trust and the Relationship Triangle. This week, we want to discuss how to reach the pinnacle of trust with each personality. Let’s think of it as building infrastructure into our relationships.
The cities we live in have infrastructure that we benefit from such as: roads, electricity, railroads, hospitals, and airports. Building infrastructure for a city is expensive, but the long-term benefits are priceless. The same is true for our relationships. Building the infrastructure necessary to reach the level of trust is costly, but those benefits are priceless as well. Doing this takes time.
How can we build infrastructure for each personality?
Much-Loved Monkeys
RESPECT: With a Monkey, it’s not just WHAT you communicate, but HOW you communicate that is important. Remain alert to the verbal and non-verbal cues you display. For instance, maintaining eye contact demonstrates respect to a Monkey.
CONNECTION: To develop a connection with a Monkey, validate Monkeys with positive words. Monkeys are extroverts, so give them time to brainstorm and problem-solve verbally as you attain common goals. Remember that Monkeys will often turn playful and share humor. Use their humor as a way to connect with them. Appropriate touch is another important connection point with Monkeys.
AUTHENTICITY: Monkeys enjoy a fast-paced and fun environment. Mix it up and introduce new ideas. By affirming their creativity, we demonstrate that we value what makes the Monkey unique.
CONFLICT: Monkeys take criticism personally. When we disagree with them, we must communicate clearly that we still value the Monkey. We must remember to clarify our disapprovement of the issue, not the person.
TRUST: When trust is built with a Monkey, positive verbal feedback and positive reinforcement will flow freely. Negativity and criticism will cease to exist, and life will be fast-paced and fun.
Leading Lions
RESPECT: Lions place high priority on respect. Respect to Lions mean having confidence in their ability to get the job done. The Lion does not care if you like him, but is concerned with the respect you demonstrate toward his position and ability.
CONNECTION: Lions view connection very differently than other personality types. Connection for a Lion is centered around accomplishing the task. If the Lion believes you are joining the goal of “taking the hill”, then you are connecting with him. Connection is about coming together to accomplish a common challenge.
AUTHENTICITY: Lions communicate with direct language that can be harsh at times. Understand that the “make it happen” personality of a Lion is a result of their win/lose frame of mind, not disrespect. Authenticity with Lions is built upon common respect.
CONFLICT: It is important to address conflict directly when dealing with a Lion. Without challenging the Lion’s competitive nature, address the issue by speaking with strength and confidence.
TRUST: When trust is built with a Lion, direct feedback and honest dialogue takes place. Life will be viewed from 30,000 feet and big tasks will be accomplished.
Competent Camels
RESPECT: Camels value organization, detail, and quality. Respect is shown when you provide this type of structure.
CONNECTION: Camels connect with those who are consistent, dependable, and who follow through with their commitments. Camels are generally introverts and therefore need time to process data and feedback. Connection is about providing specific communication and high structure.
AUTHENTICITY: Talk in rational terms with Camels and remember, Camels do not respond well to emotional conversations. Camels will ask multiple questions and use “fact-finding” in their pursuit of clarity and understanding. Authenticity with Camels begins and ends with accuracy.
CONFLICT: To achieve healthy conflict with a Camel also be prepared with relative facts and data. Choosing the right time and place is critical as camels do not appreciate spontaneity. Camels need details and time to process the discussion.
TRUST: Camels thrive in trust-filled relationships because those relationships represent the stability and order that Camels value. A Camel with a plan, in a trusting environment, is one happy Camel. If they are happy, you will be too.
Tranquil Turtles
RESPECT: Turtles see respect as listening. This means choosing to give a listening ear. In order to accomplish this we must be willing to take the time that is required to truly hear.
CONNECTION: Building connection with Turtles takes time. Learning about the significant relationships in their life will expedite a deeper connection and provide you with incredible wisdom.
AUTHENTICITY: Authentic relationships with Turtles begins and ends by providing a calm and peaceful environment. The temptation to rush or become impulsive may be seen as inauthentic to the turtle.
CONFLICT: The quickest way to destroy a relationship with a Turtle is to create an environment of chaos and strife. Turtles need time to process conflict. Don’t assume they are weak simply because they are quiet. Given the time, Turtles demonstrate incredible strength and wisdom when facing obstacles.
TRUST: Building trust with a Turtle can be incredibly valuable. Turtles view trust as something that is sacred. They give it sparingly, however once it is obtained they are fiercely loyal. Turtles are a great example of the saying, “Still waters run deep.”
Reflection Questions
Identify how you will strengthen the personal and professional relationships in your life.
Which personality type is the easiest for you to build trust? Why?
Which personality type is the most difficult for you to build trust? Why?
Higher Flight
1) Respect: You’ve worked hard this year learning how to interact and communicate with the four personalities in the workplace. We know that respect is the starting point for strong relationships. Here are two articles summarizing many of the behaviors we have discussed in the Peer Group Experience around respect:
2) Connection: Can connection with others in the workplace be a predictor of good health? Yes, it can. And building connection on your team does not have to be rocket science, it can be done with some simple steps:
How to Build Workplace Connections That Help Us Succeed
3) Authenticity: Authentic leadership is proven with teamwork and summarized by two powerful words in this video:
The Essence of Authentic Leadership
4) Conflict: Do you view your professional relationships on the basis of what you can give to others or what you can take from them? Adam Grant discusses givers, takers, and matchers in this popular Ted Talk:
5) Trust: Text:
Remember to use your Eagle Teams Digital Notebook to document your thoughts and insights.
