the minimiser

8/6/2019 The Minimiser

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MANAGING CONFLICT

The minimiser

sorry but thats not my job

WORKING WITH THE 12DIFFICULT PERSONALITY

TRAITS

Presented By: Shawn Williams-Reid


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People do things for different reasons

In trying to understand human behavior,

there is a basic principle that applies to all

our actions. People do things to gratify

their own selfish needs, and not necessarily

to satisfy others.

Another way to put it is; people see things,respond to stimuli and react in different

ways.

Lets take into consideration the elements of

TRAITS versus

CHARACTERISTICSEmpirically it is

proven that these two play an important

role in understanding differences in

personality.

Traits are inherited behaviors, while

characteristics are learned behaviors( thru

the process of socialization)

It is imperitive to comprehend that traits cant be

changed, or modified because they are fixed parts

of ones neurological hard wiring -brain- (similar

to a computers (RAM/ROM) However,

characteristics on the other hand can be changed

since they are acquired through external

influences and experiences.

Traits are responsible for the foll: traits drivesthe choices that we make.

Traits establish our value system, principles and

core beliefs, serves as a code of conduct. And

produces the behaviour we use as ethical and

morale compasses.

Traits deals with the development of our natural

talents, and influences their express (eg) my love

for singing, dancing and music, although I dont

perfect the art , but is always singing or dancingnevertheless.

Traits directs our emotional reactions and our

rational responses to experiences or situations.

Traits generates our perceptions, both internally,

influencing how we apply them.


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Traits Continue---

Most importantly choosing the people we are attracted to those we work

earnestly to avoid.

Characteristics on the other hand are Learned Behaviors',

thru nature/nurture process.

They are elements that reflects our conditioning, meaning other persons

perception, opinions, criticism. Social expectations and experiences.

Formation of learned habits, attitudes. Comfort zones that ultimately impact our

quality of life.

Motivation behind characteristics of development is to ensure acceptable

behaviors, thus, we fit into a social structure without deviating from acceptable

norms.

However, in doing so there is the creation of much false perception we have of

ourselves, the ones that inhibit what we become and creating a balance between

success, mediocrity, and failure


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So its just plain for good business to want to invest in their staffs personal

development, and create ways to harness their strengths, weakness and talents.

While productivity and managing information is the driving force in todays

corporate environment, realistically its the individual interaction among customers,

clients, vendors, and employees that gives and organization, its competitive edge,

and differentiating it in this ever-changing global economy.

A working environment can be hazardous to ones health, especially in a company

that places more value on profit margin than it does on its staff.

Therefore its important to change the perception of business and become attuned

to peoples needs, take time to cultivate their individuality, and figure out what

motivates them.. Understanding personality is the first step, because its where

insight is garnered as to what makes everyone ticks.

People are different its obvious:

In understanding people we must face the fact that we all do not perceive things

the same way.

We all have our preferred style that expresses itself in the way we work, and

interface with others.

Every style has inherent strengths and weaknessestherefore no style is better or

worse than other, but do not always apply to every situation.

Individuals with a clear understanding of personality styles tend to communicate

more effectively and are less prone to conflicts with different type of

people.


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There are challenges to working, and or managing a diverse work

population. Managing diversity is more than simply acknowledging

differences in people.

Today, more than ever, globalization requires more interaction

among people from diverse cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.

People no longer live and work in an insular marketplace; they are

now part of a worldwide economy with competition coming from

nearly every continent. For this reason, profit and non-profit

organizations need diversity to become more creative and open to

change. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace diversity hasbecome an important issue for management today.

Diversity is generally defined as: acknowledging, understanding, accepting,valuing, and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity,

gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice and

public assistance status

Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers. Although

associates are interdependent in the workplace, respecting

individual differences can increase productivity.


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Managing, dealing with, or working with differing personalities and skill

set is a continuous challenge in any work place, social group, or cohabiting

environment. People often find different ways of handling their ownprojects, time, and deadlines or react to stress, coaching, and criticism

differently.

So, a Manager, Team lead, and Team members need to be adoptive and

adjust to these varying differences, while ensuring that assigned tasks gets

completed and companys Goal and objectives are met.


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We are not all the same, neither are we socialized the same way. We are from various cross sectors

of life, different social background, and are entrenched in our own values, morale's and religious

beliefs.

For decades researchers theorized that our personalities stay pretty much the same for our entire

lives. Some Theorist argues that, our personality is set from the early childhood years and remains

the same throughout our lives until we die.

There are empirical evidence supporting that there are certain personality traits which were observed

in childhood, that remains present when the individuals reaches adulthood.

Christopher Nave Doctoral Candidate at the University of California; from his studies posits

that, we remain the same person, but understanding our individual personality is significant to the

environment in which we exist. We must be adaptable in our capacity to dealing with and handling

situations faced on a daily basis.

What matters most is how you see yourself, accepting your flaws and your

short comings, working on your weakness, thus they dont over power your

strengths.


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Stanford Psychologist Carol Dweckargues: People are influenced by external

factors or by a plethora of other variables which can or may, occur from time to

time resulting in changes in ones personality.

Dweck used the example of:

the huge difference between an individual who sees intelligence as a trait

which can not be changed, and one who believes that he/shecan improve by various means.

Instances of this nature are referred to as fixed or growth mindsets, usually

occurring during childhood.

They can be extremely influential to ones personality because they play a very

integral part in influencing their achievement and motivation.

Achievement and motivation play a significant role in developing social and

business relationships.

They also determine how the individual deals with; failures, solve conflicts, and

how much he/she is influenced by rejection.


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The Minimiser

Scenario:

The Payroll department needed to make structural changes tothe office space, as a new team is slated to take up residence

in the area. Team members were asked to participate in

rearranging the cubicle lay out, shredding of paper, and the

packing away of items that were no longer used for future

disposal.

One individual continuously complain in the most puerile

manner that she would not be helping as her job description did

not say that she formed a part of the facilities staff. However,

her comments were ignored and other members of the team

relentlessly carried out the task completing it in time for the

stated deadline.

Upon Introduction of the new team, the SBU manager openly

thanked the team for their restructuring efforts, and awarded

them a complimentary day off. Although this particular

individual had not participated, she also benefited from the

gesture of having a day off resulting in a long weekend.


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When approaching a minimiser for help with a task outside of their normal

duties it is important to take the time to explain the following:

1. Show them the bigger picture.

2. What is the significance of the assigned task

3. What will be the outcome, and how their participation makes a difference

4. Minimisers rarely hear compliments, due to their lack of participation, so

try a little flattery.

For e.g.. I know you are busy, but I was wondering if you could help me with

this spreadsheet since you are the only one around with clear knowledge

of the program.

Make your comments as genuine as possible, they will strike a positive cord.


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Effective leadership, according to Fred Fiedler, is a matter of personality

and the ability to relate to other human beings.

There is no one best style of leadership. Instead, a leader's effectiveness

is based on the situation.

Thus its important to identify the varying personality traits and pair them

accordingly.

Group industrious individuals who are given assigned tasks for new work

activities along with a minimiser run the risk of the minimiser draining the

energy away from the group, but more likely than not, the minimiser may

however feel the need to make a meaningful contribution.

Observing a minimiser we could conclude that they are just plain lazy. In

reality individuals with this personality trait are so stuck in a rut, that they

cant seem to find their way out. Their personal life may be in turmoil and

its all they can think about, thus every thing else in life seems

meaningless.

When proposing new assignments and changes within the structuralenvironment to minimisers, be mindful of the fact that they often feel like

they lack the necessary skills. So show your awareness and offer your

support. Tell them you are aware that they may have never handled a

situation like this before, but, there will be a workshop or training session

and if they wish they can team up with others, and participate.

Upon their completion, make sure you commend them for their efforts.

And even give them future task similar to the one before.


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Understanding your personality trait is important to all aspect of your

life whether you are making career choice or building a personal

relationship.

Only when you evaluate and know yourself honestly will you be able to

make positive decisions resulting in ultimate satisfaction.

Attitude is an important part of the foundation upon which we

build a productive life. A good attitude produces good results, a

fair attitude poor results, a poor attitude poor results. We each

shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by

our attitude.

-M. Russell Ballard

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything

that happen to you, knowing that every step forward is a steptoward achieving something bigger and better than your current

situation.

-- Brian Tracy

the minimiser

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