A How-to-Work-With-Me Program Might Help Address Differences in Your Team

Understanding that team members have different ways of thinking, ways of communicating, goals, and personalities is crucial for managers. Managing all this difference is a tall order; however, there are methods for parsing things out and playing to the strengths of your team. Start by being aware of your biases to ensure everyone feels supported and psychologically safe, and move on to identifying and assessing using a tool like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument or the Emotional Quotient Inventory assessment. Not all labels are bad; labels can help you understand why conflicts or miscommunications are occurring. Consider implementing a “how to work with me” cheat-sheet program that indicates employees’ preferred communications tools and social preferences. The results can be eye-opening. While one employee might appreciate your daily check-ins because it helps them stay on task, another employee might view these as a distraction. These differences aren’t bad—the differences should be embraced to ensure everyone is working in their preferred way.