“Why Can’t People Be More Like Me?!”
It’s a question I have heard on a number of occasions… usually from a manager or team leader who is getting frustrated with their team.
The rant continues… “If only I could clone myself – then this team would be efficient and effective – what’s WRONG with people?!!” (And, the answer is probably: The Manager!).
But, you know, whether or not we find ourselves in charge of a team, the ability to understand differences is one of the most important skills for life (let alone work). To engage with someone and really understand what’s going on between their ears is possibly one of life’s great advantages.
And it can be learned.
Now, I’m not talking about ‘Mind Reading’ here. If you want to know what’s on someone’s mind – a great way of doing this is to… ask them 🙂
But, you know, whether or not we find ourselves in charge of a team, the ability to understand personality differences is one of the most important skills for life (let alone work). To engage with someone and really understand what’s going on between their ears is possibly one of life’s great advantages.
And, understanding others at a deeper level can be learned relatively easily.
Now, I’m not talking about ‘Mind Reading’ here. If you want to know literally what’s on someone’s mind – a great way of doing this is to ask them! No – the skill I am talking about allows you to anticipate someone’s likely reactions to future situations, circumstances – and how they might respond to you!
For those of you who have seen my live training, you’ll know that we can watch (and listen) out for just THREE elements, to be able to understand someone else – how they differ from you – and how to best communicate with them.
A comparison would be that if you consciously observe someone’s interaction with their environment, you can establish whether they are left or right-handed. Well, the same is true for their ‘Psychology’ or ‘Type’. Their behaviour (including, vocal tone, content and body-language) are all massive clues as to their likely psychological preferences – and so their future behaviour.
Remember that past (or present) behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour.
Click anywhere on this blue paragraph and I can show you the book.
Yoo Wisdom: If you would set the table differently for a left-handed person, why wouldn’t you become more aware of someone’s psychological preferences? Once you do, you can ‘set the table’ for them when you communicate with them. It makes an incredible difference!
Be your best Yoo!
Andy and the Yoo team
