I have taken many personality tests throughout my life, but this one was different.
First, this was the first test that I had to choose what is the most and what is the least I identify with.
Second, this was the first test that I actually received results for; usually your tests are evaluated by the people that test you, but you never know what the results are and what they say about you.
Now about the results - I have been leading people through the last 10 years; It started when I was in the army, I had a team of about 15 soldiers. I also managed a bar/restaurant, and finally, I managed the security in a division of a foreign consulate.
Now that you all know my resume, you can understand that I have been leading people for a while, therefore, nothing in this profiling system surprised me. I am an "I" high "S" and I wouldn't think otherwise.
I am fully aware of myself and I knew that I am not a "D" because I have been managed by "D" people and I hated the way they move things around and I promised myself that I would never be like that. Don't get me wrong, in some situations I wish I was a "D" because they don't really care of how things are done, as long as they happen. I am not like that; I care too much about other peoples feelings - I must make sure everyone is happy, or at least make sure they understand a certain decision. I like motivating people, because I believe that when your employees are motivated, they will bring better results. I do this by explaining.
I think that this test can help a potential employer get an in-depth look at the person being tested. This test will give quick and pretty accurate results about the person.
Just to make things a little bit more interesting, I showed a few of my friends the definition of each letter in the DISC system, and asked them where they think I fit. No surprise, they all hit it right on the head, and they did it without much deliberation.
As mentioned in the beginning, I am well aware of my leadership style. I don't think that one is better than the other. I think that it depends on the situation; if you bring a leader to a place or organization that needs a face lift or some major improvements, you should get a "D" kind of leader - the one that gets things done and will remove anyone that interferes with his goal.
If I was stranded, I would probably want to be with a "D". That said, I think that a good "I" could take the lead in a damn good way, because people like to get information of what is going on or what the plan is, especially if they don't know anyone in the group. Sometimes people have the tendency to object a decision just because they don't know if they can trust the person making the decision. If you give them enough info (doesn't have to be all the info) it will be easier to convince them. You can obviously notice that I am an "I".
I'll finish this very long post and point out that I think leadership skills are built by looking and learning from the people that manage and lead us; we learn from them the positive and the negative ways of management, and decide how we want to be.
Remember, no one way is better than another - just be true to yourself.
Believe in your way and people will believe in you!
It is true that some times people would object some decision if they had no clue what is going on, but some times the oposite happens. they oppose cause they know too much or as much as to panic, and on those cases a D type would work better. But you ar right there is no better or worse leader type.Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. one is more careing, one more analytical, and another more clear cut.
ReplyDeleteIt was so interesting that our class has many EX-soldiers ( I found out from reading our classmate's blogs) Yes, i am one of them ( a Navy). From this Blog Assignment that we have to write about, it made me think that if I got stuck somewhere in the snow (like Stranded game) I would die for sure. The reason i said that is because in my country we don't have snow and will never happen; it 's 100 degrees throughout the year ( Jealous right?) You were right about the leadership which is not fitting in every organization. It all depends on what type of an organization it is. Some may not care what you do or how you do it , but can you get it done is what they want.
ReplyDeleteI think your results of the test are really accurate.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked with you on the group activities, i can attest that you are influential without being dominant or aggressive. you have good ideas and express them very clearly without being overly forceful with is definitely appreciated :)