Maximizing Team Potential with the Team Personality Report
Updated
by
Amy Thomas
The Team Personality Report, grounded in our scientifically validated Employee Personality Profile (EPP), offers a unique lens through which to view your team's dynamics. This tool isn't just about insights; it's about action. It guides productive discussions, celebrates diversity in working styles, and enhances teamwork by understanding personality differences.
At its core, this report illuminates the diverse personality traits within your team, encouraging a dialogue on how these traits influence collaboration and performance. Remember, diversity in personality is a strength, providing a balanced perspective on tasks and challenges.
Engaging with the Report
Here are the steps to follow, to get the most out of a coaching session with your team.
Preparation
- Ensure all your team members have completed their EPP assessments.
- Verify your team members have update their profile settings to ensure individual results are shared with the team, fostering transparency and openness.
Conducting the Team Discussion
- Schedule a discussion free from distractions, allocating 30-60 minutes.
- Set the stage by emphasizing the discussion as a judgment-free zone aimed at growth and understanding.
- See the Team Personality Discussion Checklist below for some suggested reflection questions.
Understanding the Report
- Team Personality Traits: Identify commonalities and unique traits. Discuss how these traits influence work preferences and team collaboration.
- Team Superpower: Explore the strongest collective trait. Reflect on its advantages and potential pitfalls, sharing examples of both.
- Personality Radar Chart: Compare your team's average traits with the general population, identifying standout areas. Focus on one trait that significantly differs, discussing its impact on team dynamics.
- Team Blindspot Report: Address areas of homogeneity within traits, discussing potential strengths and risks. Agree on small actions to mitigate identified risks.
- Individual Contributions: Highlight the unique value each team member brings, focusing on one trait where you significantly differ from the team average. Share specific instances where this difference has been beneficial or challenging.
- Learning Opportunities: Pair individuals with contrasting traits to explore strengths, challenges, and growth opportunities. Use these pairings as a foundation for ongoing development discussions.
Actionable Steps Post-Discussion
- Develop a plan to leverage individual strengths more effectively in team projects.
- Identify one or two areas for team development, setting specific goals and timelines for improvement.
- Schedule regular check-ins to review progress and adjust plans as needed.
Creating a Safe Environment
Promote psychological safety throughout the discussion by encouraging openness, respecting all viewpoints, and emphasizing the value of diversity. Ensure every team member feels heard and validated in their experiences and perspectives.
Conclusion
The Team Personality Report is more than an assessment; it's a catalyst for fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse personalities that make up your team. By engaging with the report through structured discussions and focused action plans, your team can enhance its cohesion, adaptability, and overall performance, turning individual differences into a collective superpower.
Team Personality Discussion Checklist
Team Personality Traits
Reflection Questions:
- Where do we see the most similarity in personality traits?
- How do these similarities influence our collaboration?
- Where are our most significant differences?
- How can we leverage these differences as strengths?
Team Superpower
Reflection Questions:
- What is our team's superpower trait?
- How has this trait driven our success?
- What risks does our superpower pose?
- Can we recall a time when this trait held us back? How?
Personality Radar Chart
Reflection Questions:
- In which areas do we significantly differ from the general population?
- How does this uniqueness impact our team's approach to work?
Team Blindspot Report
Reflection Questions:
- What is one blindspot our team has?
- How does this blindspot manifest in our work?
- What is one action we can take to mitigate the risks associated with this blindspot?
What Team Members Bring To This Team
Reflection Questions:
- Identify one unique contribution you bring to the team. How can it be utilized more effectively?
- Reflect on a teammate's contribution. How has it positively impacted the team?
Learning Opportunities
Reflection Questions:
- Identify a trait where two team members differ significantly. How can this difference be a learning opportunity?
- What action can we take to learn from each other's diverse perspectives?
Rules for a Great Conversation
- Be Positive and Supportive: Approach the conversation with an open mind and a constructive attitude.
- Safe Space: Maintain confidentiality and ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.
- No Judgments: Avoid labeling or judging personality traits as "good" or "bad."
- Future-Focused: Concentrate on how insights can be used to enhance future teamwork.
- Inclusive Participation: Encourage every team member to share their perspectives and listen actively.
- Address Conflicts Constructively: Use differences as a basis for growth, not contention.
