People come equipped with a pesky item commonly referred to as a "personality."
Personalities are infuriating. Particularly when yours differs from mine. Once we get to know each other, yours can be intolerable even when it is quite similar to mine, just to keep things jumping.
Let’s face it: you are the most interesting and important subject in the entire world. You will always be at or near the center of your world. It’s a comfortable place to be! So, one of the most exciting—and, often, one of the most intimidating—experiences lies in gaining a fuller understanding of just who you are.
A book by Devora Zack is packed with self-assessments, real-world examples, field-tested tips and practical guidelines for managers. Drawing on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Zack explains that people are primarily thinkers or feelers. In a nutshell, thinkers lead with their heads and feelers lead with their hearts. No one is 100% thinker or feeler, yet most of us lean one way or the other. Working with--rather than fighting against--our natural strengths is the key to motivating and leading others.
Managing and Leading Others
Many people become managers because it pays more salary and seems like a better job than what they have been doing--only to find as managers, they needed to take risks by making difficult decisions. The result is managers the world over are looking for ways to get out of managing.
Even if managing wasn't on your radar when launching a career, you really can learn to accept and even enjoy the part of the job called "being a manager."
Part of the confusion and general chaos lurking just a millimeter behind the surface of any basic, seemingly well-functioning organization is due to cataclysmic clashes of personality. There are many aspects to personality. Thinker-Feeler is one of four dimensions highlighted in the MBTI self-assessment and is linked to how we make decisions, communicate and manage.
"Managing for People Who Hate Managing" by Devora Zack will guide you through the Thinker-Feeler continuum, a sublime cavern of our inner worlds. You will learn versatile techniques to be a stellar manager by being yourself.
The path toward being you is knowing you. Assessments pinpoint key aspects of your personality, helping you harness the best you have to offer as a manager.
The only person you can be really well is yourself...that is why it is important to know you better.
Sources: Devora Zack: Managing for People Who Hate
John G Agno: Women, Know Thyself: The most important knowledge is self-knowledge.
John Agno: When Doing It All Won't Do: A Self-Coaching Guide for Career Women
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