Leadership is not one-size-fits-all, although many people would like you to believe there is only one way to handle certain personality types and situations. That’s because managing people is an art, not a science.
Think about how various artists approach their work. It’s rumored that when asked about the difficulties he must have encountered in sculpting his masterpiece The David. Michelangelo replied with an unassuming and comical description of his creative process: He allegedly said, “It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn’t look like David.”
Today, this process is called Carving, a subtractive process whereby material is systematically eliminated from the outside in. Other artists use the sculpture technique known as Assembling. They approach sculpting by gathering and joining different materials to create an assembled sculpture.
Other methods are used to create sculptures, with all methodologies resulting in art in one form or another. Although the approach (and sometimes the materials) are different, in the end, artists work with the materials they have on hand to create their version of art.
Think of yourself as a leadership artist. You’re looking to pull the best materials from your people and create a team that shines from all angles. Your approach to creating a memorable experience for your team and those who work with your people will differ from that of your colleagues.
That’s okay, as chances are you’re working with different raw materials, which are constantly changing, so it’s important not to put people in boxes. People are evolving every day.
The person who came into your organization as a timid new grad several years ago has matured into a worker worthy of doing more than the assignments you’re currently giving her. The person you labeled an introvert may not be an introvert. They simply may not be able to get a word in when surrounded by some of the know-it-alls you hired, which is why I caution you against putting people in boxes and making assumptions that may have never been true or are no longer true.
Rather than looking at managing various personalities as a burden, consider this challenge as an opportunity to create a team that others will admire from afar. Regularly assess all of the assets that team members possess and take the Assembling approach that artists use.
Assign people to different teams until you find a combination that works well. Add and remove employees from assignments until you’re satisfied with the team dynamics you’ve created. If things aren’t working as well as you’d like, don’t be afraid to disassemble the team and start again.
Lastly, personalities can change under different circumstances. We all tend to get a bit hot-headed when we’re stressed or when a personal crisis at home has left us sleep deprived.
If you notice a radical change in someone’s behavior, pull them aside and ask how they’re feeling. Ask if anything is happening outside the office that may be impacting their work. Try to be supportive and understanding. Hopefully, it won’t be long until this person returns to their old self.
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