Leading the Way
How leadership works on the ranch.
contributed article by B. Lynn Gordon Leader Consulting
leaderconsulting.biz
PERSONALITY & PERFORMANCE You know your cattle’s DNA, but what about yours?
Earlier in the summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Beef Improvement Federation Conference in South Dakota. Listening to the presentations, it was evident the strides the beef cattle industry has made in the field of genetics. I’ve attended this event nearly a dozen times over the years and watched the progression from improving and expanding performance data collection to the focus on the adoption and collection of DNA samples resulting in geneomically-enhanced EPDs.
August 2019
As I reflect on how the industry is working towards gathering as much data as possible to make valuable and informed decisions to advance the genetic merit of breeding stock, I think about how important it is we also learn more about ourselves and those we work with to make the most of our business relationships. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is to gain knowledge about yourself from a personality type assessment. With these insights you will also learn more about interacting with others.
26
ASSESSMENT ACTION My personality assessment tool of preference is Core Strengths.
Although, there are many effective and popular measurement tools available, I particularly like Core Strengths, for its unique application to human resource management and its focus on what drives and motivates people. It digs deeper than most assessment tools going beyond one’s behaviors into underlying motivations and values that influence those behaviors. By gaining insight about what motivates us and those around us, we have a greater ability to enhance interpersonal communication, teamwork, productivity and effectively manage ways to leverage across relationships — all valuable and useful tools for farm and ranch family relationships. Table 1 is a summary of the Core Strengths assessment tool. Take a moment to read through the table and try to determine which color best describes you. In the study of personality styles, colors are often used in assessment results to signify the diverse personality types people may possess. Technical information about one’s behavior, motivation, and values are corresponded to a color, which becomes a simple and effective way for individuals to grasp and remember their own
personality style and those of others. What color best fit you? What color best represents your co-workers, your boss, or family members? The most important element is not what color you are but that you learn about the motives and purposes that drive your behavior, the insight you gain into how you perceive things, and how you can connect with those who are representative of a different color than you. Here is an example. If you determine someone you work with is a “Red – Directive” personality, what are some tips to consider when interacting with them? Ideally, your goal is to understand the environment which encourages them to be engaged in conversation, an environment that appeals to their motivations and strengths. Your ability to bridge the gap from the characteristics of your personality, to those more reflective of the other individual will create a more effective relationship. More specifically Blue, Green, or Silver personality types should strive to be clear, concise and confident when interacting with a “Red” person. Focusing on the facts, being prepared to back
stockmanmag.com | THE STOCKMAN
