August 2007

In this Issue:

• Feature Article: Personality and Board Cohesiveness
• Intentions: for Leader, People, Free Spirit & Task Type Personalities

Message from Pat...

Due to the overwhelming response and ongoing requests, I am again offering to my valued customers and friends, a limited number of complementary Peoplemap^TM presentations. These will be scheduled as time allows between September 2007 and May 2008.

Be a Hero! Identify a group or organization that would benefit from greater understanding of self and others, and more effective communication with anyone, anywhere. Past recipients of this offer include church retreat groups, school staff trainers, professional and non-profit associations and clubs, management and leadership teams.

Remember how this information enhanced your life personally and professionally? Is there someone you know who might benefit also? If so, please share this information with them.

Personality and Board Cohesiveness

I was recently working with a non-profit board made up of a diverse group of women, representing combinations of all personality types. Unfortunately, the group had been experiencing some ongoing friction, and they were in danger of losing one or more board members. The organization had experienced a similar situation in the past, and at that time, lost two valued members who quit and did not come back. Although the specific problems were somewhat different in each case, a similar organizational problem was happening again. The Executive Director had been playing the part of referee and no longer wanted that role!

As I spoke to each board member individually, these are the complaints I heard:

• "Director A is totally obsessive. She thinks her programs are the only thing we should focus on. She is not our boss, but she continuously brings in volumes of work for us to do, besides the work we have to do for our area of responsibility."
  
  
• "Director B is totally incompetent in her current position. She is a nice person and all, but she just does not keep up with requirements. She should be doing more, and bringing in reports to prove it."
  
  
• "Director C just worries about having her own way, having fun, and socializing at club meetings. You would think she was a party planner."
  
  
• "Director D is so insensitive that she walks over people and only treats her pets like human beings." "Director E never opens up her mouth to say what she wants or express her opinion, and then she gets mad when she doesn't get her way, and acts like she is a victim."

Do these petty, but common complaints, sound at all familiar? The specific complaints do not matter too much. As Peoplemap participants, I am sure you can see the drama playing out in front of you. And I'll bet you can identify the personalities. Hard feelings, poor communication, and differing personality styles, can fragment a board of directors.

Luckily, this group was easy to work with and responded well to Peoplemap^TM training. After identifying their unique personalities with both strengths and Achilles heels, and greater understanding of personality differences, they began to function quite well together. They did need a little coaching on communication, problem resolution, assertiveness and goal setting; but at this time they are still together and doing a great job.

If you know of any board of directors, management team, or other group of individuals working together but experiencing difficulty, a Peoplemap^TM workshop might be just what they are looking for. Please tell them about your experience, and feel free to give them my name and contact information. A well functioning team or board is priceless to the organization.

Personal Intentions for the month of July

LEADER INTENTION

• I like to lead and manage others. I seek out opportunities for leadership. I want to be a good leader.



• Sometimes, my leadership becomes controlling. I want others to do what I want, when I want it.



• Now, I realize that, although others may move more slowly, or take a different direction than I think best, it is OK. Each personality is different. Each brings forward a unique perspective.



• Today, I intend to let go of expecting others to do things my way and in my time. Today, I will appreciate the differences that each person brings to the table.

PEOPLE INTENTION

• I hate conflict. I imagine all kinds of bad things happening if I confront a sticky issue. If someone is mad about something, I withdraw.



• Sometimes, I am angry about something and do realize that the situation needs to be reconciled. But I don't seem to be able to muster up the courage. Sometimes I talk to everyone but the person I should be confronting.



• Now, I realize that I need practice in confronting problems and being assertive at home and in the workplace. I realize that when problems are brought out into the open and resolved, it improves communication and relationships. That is what I want.



• Today, I intend to face my fear and confront problems appropriately. I will identify unresolved issues regardless of how insignificant I tell myself that they are. I will determine whom I need to speak to, and will practice what I need to say. I will approach the situations when I am rational, not angry, so that I am in charge of my words and emotions. I intend to be assertive.

FREE SPIRIT INTENTION

• I admit that I have a rebellious streak. This has been handy at times because I don't need to follow the crowd. I don't particularly mind being different, or expressing a controversial opinion.



• Sometimes, I feel rebellious with people in authority. This could be detrimental to my personal growth and interfere with my career.



• Now, I realize that this is a personality trait that may be helpful, but may also be a problem. I realize that I need to better manage my responses to authority.



• Today, I intend to accept authority and respond appropriately.

TASK INTENTION

• I am somewhat of a perfectionist. I like things to be "just so." If they are not done the way I think they should be, at home or at work, I am dissatisfied.



• I realize that being a perfectionist can cause me to be hard on myself and hard on others. Nobody will do things exactly the way I want them to be done.



• Now, I know that expecting everyone to do things my way, or criticizing the way others do things, can ruin my relationships and put undue stress on myself. Nothing is ever finished for a true perfectionist!



• Today, I intend to be more accepting of a job well done, both by myself or others. I will tone down my perfectionist qualities, and give more praise for accomplishments, even if there is some little thing I would have done differently. I intend to consider things, "good enough," and move on.

SUCCESS. . .

Available Now!

Get a year's worth of Intentions, in full color, with attractive pictures and workbook, hard copy or CD, at www.patswan.com.

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