Powerful teams thrive on diversity, respect, communication, and a shared vision. Each member’s unique personality is welcomed, and their interests and behaviors are carefully aligned to yield optimum results.
As individuals, we bring unique interests, perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to the team. We all have distinct behaviors and different expectations of interacting and working with others. This is why creating a common language is key to reducing the complexity of interpersonal dynamics. The result? Our chances are greatly increased of operating as a cohesive unit.
The Birkman Method
The Birkman Method is a personality, social perception, and occupational interest assessment that measures a variety of behavioral styles, motivational factors, and stress triggers. It was developed in 1951 by Dr. Roger W. Birkman to measure personality characteristics that influence behaviors, motivations, and perceptions.
Today, The Birkman Method is recognized as a leader in transforming organizational performance. We are now witnessing more organizations working to incorporate Birkman into their company culture. But how does this benefit them? Birkman allows the creation of a common language that increases self-awareness and enables a better understanding of one’s strengths, behaviors, stress triggers, and expectations. Through this common language, noted above, teams are operating more effectively and are experiencing better engagement and overall productivity.
The Birkman Method and Teamwork
The Presence of a Common Language
A team is made up of individuals with different personalities and interests. And so, there will always be some conflict. But, if conflict is left unresolved, team engagement and productivity levels will drop. Thankfully, Birkman creates a common language for teams to discuss and understand different personalities.
Birkman teaches us that personalities should not be labeled as good or bad, rather, it allows us to understand that people view situations differently. When employees are equipped to understand others, they’re able to communicate and work better together, which eventually lowers the chances of conflict within the team.
Identifying Individual Interests and Behaviors
The Birkman Method helps us understand our behaviors and interests by asking questions and evaluating responses. It then takes our preferences, behaviors, likes, and dislikes and matches them against job roles that best fit our personality. How does this help? Well, this method allows individuals to have a clearer career path laid out in front of them. It’s like fitting in the right piece of the puzzle in the right place – in this case, the right person for the right job.
Even today, you’ll likely come across many professionals who if asked about their ‘true interests and preferences’ would probably be pursuing another role or an entirely different job. Let’s take the example of a non-competitive, highly analytical putting in countless hours trying to win a sales pitch while based on her interests and behavior, she’d probably excel in the role of a data scientist. This is the power of Birkman. The ability to understand one’s behaviors, identify preferences, and match them to the right job – which the employee will enjoy and succeed in over a longer period.
Now, look at this from a team’s point of view. Without the insights from Birkman, you may end up with a handful of people in mismatched roles, lower engagement, lagging productivity, and possibly higher turnover.
Understanding Individual Needs and Expectations
As employees and members of a team, we all have our expectations of what our working environment should be like and how other members should treat us. Birkman identifies this as an ‘individual’s ‘needs.’ In simpler terms, these expectations are what employees need to be able to perform at their best.
As an employer, you must understand the expectations of each individual. Unfulfilled needs can result in demotivation, lower engagement, poor productivity, and possible turnover. With Birkman, leaders can identify each employee’s needs and aim to provide them with a work environment where they bring their best selves to work.
A Strategic Edge
By incorporating The Birkman Method you’re at a competitive advantage. How? You’ll have the benefit of data, including forty unique reports that help you understand and act upon your employees’ needs and perspectives.
High-performing teams accomplish their work with excellence, collaboration, shared vision, and purpose. At Crosworks, our High-Performing Teams workshops are custom-designed to help every team draw the bullseye for exceptional performance. Schedule a consultation now and allow us to help you create high-performing teams in your organization.