Given the choice, would you work with someone who’s similar to you and shares your views? Or would you prefer to work with someone who’s quite dissimilar, and has a different perspective?
Research suggests that we make better decisions in diverse groups than in homogeneous ones, but that we feel less confident in those decisions. Why? Maybe because making decisions with people similar to us feels easy; if we’re all on the same page from the start it must be the right page, mustn’t it? The overconfidence that we’re prone to individually, gets multiplied in homogeneous groups.
On the other hand, making a decision with a bunch of people who have different perspectives can be a struggle. In a diverse group people often voice divergent views. They disagree with one another. Someone likely needs to compromise. And the whole thing can just feel a bit rocky. The decision may be better, but it doesn’t always feel better.
So teams need to ask themselves what they would rather have, an inferior decision that you feel really good about? Or a superior one, that doesn’t sit quite as well? Most of us would say we want the superior decision of course, but our actions typically don’t always back this up. A study has shown that despite the improved performance teams gain from the presence of a having someone who challenges the norms and provides a different perspective, when given the option to remove this team member most groups will will. Why, because inherently we are seeking harmony and want to avoid any situation that rocks the boat.
Further, there’s working with someone different from you, and then there’s working with someone really different from you. In Talent Dynamics team member profiles are comprise of four different energies. And although many people typically have a mix of all the energies, it is notable that the energies that are in direct opposition to each other are likely to find their counterpart more challenging. For example, the more Dynamo energy you have in your profile, typically the less Tempo energy you have (and vice-versa). Dynamo people are concerned with the big picture and are fast thinkers whereas tempo driven people are generally more grounded and act in slower, more methodical fashion. Likewise, the more Blaze energy you have, which means the more outgoing and people-focused you are, the less likely you are to connect with Steel energy people who value the task over relationships (and vice-versa again). Working with your “opposite type” can be most challenging of all, but it also may have the greatest opportunity for some real complementary value.
I often work with teams who’re grappling with this challenge. They know diversity can make them stronger, but when the going gets tough they need a bit of a reminder why it’s worth the effort. In these times I like to do an exercise called Power of Opposites. I ask groups of like-type individuals to brainstorm the value brought to the team by their opposite-type colleagues. And then we ask them to share their appreciation out-loud. In the best cases it can become a real love-fest. And it helps build goodwill among colleagues who may have a hard time working together.
Here are some of the highlights of what our teams have had to say:
Dynamo people love Tempo team members because they…
- are grounded and practical
- great at getting tasks completed
- are full of new and interesting ideas
Tempo team members love Dynamo energy people because they…
- see the big picture
- great at getting things started
- keep us moving forward at a swift pace
Steel team members love blaze team members because they…
- bring a collaborative spirit to the team
- keep an eye on team morale
- encourage us to include diverse views
Blaze team members love steel team members because they…
- help us keep track of the details
- keep us focused
- keep us out of trouble as very cautious
Does your team need a little extra incentive to embrace the challenge of working across types? You might want to try out this exercise yourself. And if you’re personally struggling to appreciate an opposite type colleague, you can even do this on your own. Why not start by sharing your thoughts here. What are your favorite things about your opposite type?
And if you are not sure which energy type you are then find out more and take the Talent Dynamics assessment here. I guarantee this will be the best investment you make, as it will help you get into flow and raise your awareness of how you interact with others.
Julia Felton (aka The Business Wrangler) is the founder of Business HorsePower. Business leaders, entrepreneurs and executives hire her to accelerate their business performance by harnessing the energy of their people to work more collaboratively together. By aligning purpose with actions the team achieves exponential results as everyone starts pulling in the same direction.
Julia believes that business is a force for good and through designing purpose-driven businesses that leverage the laws of nature, and the herd, you can create businesses founded on the principles of connection, collaboration and community that make a significant impact in the world.
