Posts

Scott Schwefel

Analytical Observation: The Benefits of People Watching

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observer

Many of us enjoy people watching- we like to see how people live, how they interact, and how they deal with everyday situations. The same factors that make people watching so intriguing to many of us can also make office environments that much more interesting as well. Observers, or the Cool Blue thinkers, rely on better than average observational skills and discipline to get things done both in their personal and professional lives.

Observers are very rational. They rely on facts and logic to make sense of the world and to make sense of the tasks they are given in the workplace. They depend on consistency and offer deep insights into the characteristics and behavior of the people around them.

The strengths of Observers

Observers are:

  • Precise
  • Cautious
  • Conscientious

They are also:

  • Worriers
  • Slow to act
  • Avoidant

Observers are observant of themselves and the people around them. They are good at discerning other peoples’ motivations and strengths, in addition to their weaknesses. Observers have a tendency to hire individuals who are also observers, which isn’t always beneficial. Observers are critical to a fault and, although they may be correct, often miss answer because they are afraid to be wrong. Observers are very fact oriented, but may hesitate to express their feelings or thoughts as an employee or if they are in a leadership position.

Working with an Observer

Working with an Observer as a coworker or as your boss can come with its benefits and challenges. Observers are independent and often prefer to work on their own, but create functional and interpersonal work environments. Observers are logical and seek to influence others using facts and proof, which may make them come across as uncaring or impersonal at times. However, they value others’ opinions and are typically very engaging in the workplace.

Observers, like many of us, feel pressured when they are rushed. They crave consistency and will return that consistency to their employees and coworkers when given the chance. Observers resist change, but can be brought around to the idea of new changes based on logical reasoning. When they feel like they don’t have a handle on a situation they can worry, but it is rarely about their jobs or reputation. Observers worry about how others will see them, what they are being judged on, and how they are perceived by those they respect the most.

Working with Observers is an exercise in patience and logic. Observers are stretched by social interactions and must remember that a lot can be learned when they put themselves in relevant social situations.

If you would like further help in identifying yourself or someone you know who may be an observer, schedule me, Scott Schwefel, as your keynote speaker. I will come to your group and address the differences in personalities in a truthful, fun, and easy-to-understand way. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to share my blogs with the color energies you work with!

Scott Schwefel

Supporting Your Team: Moderating Consistency and Change

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supporter

Think of your ideal boss- what characteristics do they have? Are they kind? Do they offer support in and outside of work? Do they push you and their other employees to do their best work? What characteristics of a leader do they possess? On the other hand, what are some characteristics of the worst boss you’ve ever had?

Carl Jung called certain individuals high in social skills and praise Introverted, or Sensory, Feelers. In this instance, we call them Supporters, as their main characteristic is their emotional support of others. Supporters are quick to come to the rescue of their friends, will go the extra mile to get a job done, and build a strong network of relationships with their coworkers.

The strength of a Supporter

Support goes a long way in a working environment and having a supporter as a boss or as a coworker can be a blessing and a challenge. Supporters are consistent in their praise of others and when it comes to their own work, and can be relied upon to get the job done. However, they are also easily frustrated when confronted with a tight deadline or pressure from work situations.

A Supporter is challenged by change, and may need help from bosses or coworkers to enact new procedures or adjust to new working requirements. Professional problems evolve, and to stay active and efficient employees have to evolve to create sustainable solutions to those problems. Planning in advance for these changes can help a Supporter get used to the new ideas being implemented, so they are ready to go when those changes are put into action.

Supporters are predictable, steady, and loyal, but are also adverse to risk-taking and resist change. They best work in professional scenarios where they feel they are appreciated and heard. A Supporter’s strength lies in their ability to work well with others; their confidence comes from their boss and peers’ affirmations that they are doing a good job.

Working with a supporter

Supporters are great mediators, which make them excellent colleagues and team leaders. Supporters’ affable nature makes them great in meetings with clients and partners, and they can be trusted to do their jobs very well. They are incredibly loyal workers and can make work environments social and enjoyable for themselves and others.

Individuals with other personality types may find Supporters difficult to get along with because of their steadfast nature and resistance to new ideas, but remembering a few things about Supporters can get everyone back on the same page. Supporters should be given space to complete their tasks, but a gentle push in the right direction can help them meet deadlines. Supporters need a little bit more time to adjust to new protocols or job descriptions, so a bit of warning can make a difference to them.

If you would like further help in identifying yourself or someone you know who may be a supporter, schedule me, Scott Schwefel, as your keynote speaker. I will come to your group and address the differences in personalities in a truthful, fun, and easy-to-understand way. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to share my blogs with the color energies you work with!

Scott Schwefel

Harnessing the Power of Inspiration

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Think about something, or someone, that inspires you. It could be a parent or a former mentor, or a childhood sports hero. Your inspiration could come from other people, but could just as likely come from hearing the theme song to Chariots of Fire. Whatever it is that inspires you allows you to continue reaching for your goals and working towards what you want in life, despite setbacks.
We all need someone to inspire us, to encourage us during those setbacks. Carl Jung calls this person an ‘Extroverted Feeler’, ‘Rational Feeler,’ or ‘Inspirer.’ Inspirers are known for their ability to network and communicate with youthful, vibrant energy.
The power to inspire
Having the power to inspire others can be a driving force for leaders and members of a working team. Coworkers need the ability to be inspired by one another, and bosses should also know how to utilize inspirer traits to motivate their team members.
Inspirers seek environments that are sociable and allow them to network, both personally and professionally. These social interactions give Inspirers the ability to draw on a broad base of ideas and professional experiences of those they’ve networked with. Inspirers are creative, promote their own ideas, and encourage others by developing strong friendships and working relationships.
However, there are pitfalls to being an Inspirer that those of this personality type should be aware of. Inspirers can often:
• Misjudge others
• Misjudge abilities
• Leap to conclusions
• See the good in everyone
This last pitfall might not seem like a bad thing, and it certainly isn’t. Inspirers are valued for their optimism! This optimism can lead to viewing situations and people with rose colored glasses when this might not be the most realistic perspective.

Working with Inspirers
Inspirers can appear inconsistent because of their steadfastness to their own ideas. A good leader of an Inspirer can navigate this aspect of their personality by supervising them fairly and democratically. Inspirers sometimes feel pressured by deadlines or feel uncertain, they can complete a task, but may not voice this to their coworkers or boss. Utilizing time management and having open workplace communication can assist with this.
Inspirers are the life of the party and can be vital in keeping up the mood and motivation in a workplace. As an Inspirer boss, watch out for overuse of flattery and compliments. Inspirer employees are strongest when they are interacting with others, so placing them in these situations can lead to great successes.
If you would like further help in identifying yourself or someone you know like a director, schedule me, Scott Schwefel, as your keynote speaker. I will come to your group and address the differences in personalities in a truthful, fun, and easy-to-understand way. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to share my blogs with the color energies you work with!

Scott Schwefel

Directing Yourself and Others: The Power of the Rational Thinker

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Director

Imagine being on a movie set. There are hundreds of people working, each with an important job to do. Some people act, while others adjust the lights or make sure the stage is ready for another take. At the helm of all this activity is the Director. The Director doesn’t just shout ‘Action!’ to mark the beginning of a scene but is also in charge of keeping the bigger picture in mind. Although you may not be the director of a movie, many people find their personalities and working styles are similar to that of a movie director.

Characteristics of an extroverted thinker

As the psychologist Carl Jung put it, directors are also known as extroverted thinkers, or rational thinkers. They are highly goal oriented and are driven to complete tasks quickly and well. They focus on results and motivate their team to achieve those results through action and hard work. They are personally motivated by the desire to achieve, and to achieve in the leadership roles they have been given.

Directors are:

  • Decision makers
  • Decisive
  • Assertive
  • Imaginative
  • Task-oriented

They can also be:

  • Forceful
  • Demanding
  • Autocratic
  • Selfish
  • Overbearing

When a director uses their strengths, they can put together a highly-functioning and productive team in their work setting. In their relationships, they can be trusted to provide a blunt assessment of a situation and give their honest opinion. They do not sugarcoat things. Sometimes a director’s strengths can turn into weakness and they can be seen as harsh, authoritarian, and unwilling to listen or cooperate with others.

Working together

A director can be headstrong and stubborn which makes working for one difficult at times. Being an employee of a director when you have director characteristics yourself can also present challenges, both interpersonally and in the workplace. Directors are logical, but can come up with imaginative solutions to the problems they face. They work best when left to their own devices, and excess supervision and routine chafe against them.

Directors judge others by their ability to finish tasks. Directors should watch how they interact with others who are of different personality types to make sure they are judging them based on their strengths, not just their ability to get the job done. Directors need to be careful not to overexert their independence or individualism because this can fracture the relationships they have with people around them. Directors can improve their interpersonal interactions by listening to others and accepting that the way someone else does a task isn’t wrong, just different.

If you would like further help in identifying yourself or someone you know like a director, schedule me, Scott Schwefel, as your keynote speaker. I will come to your group and address the differences in personalities in a truthful, fun, and easy-to-understand way. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to share my blogs with the color energies you work with!