Knowing who you are

Category: Editorial

I have recently been working with Michael Skirving, presenting an Insights colours workshop to a management team. This is based on Jungian psychology and requires members of a team to complete individual questionnaires. A very simple but powerful process, taking about ten minutes.

The results show two behaviour types for each individual – the natural behaviour and the adapted behaviour. I have used a similar system for many years but had not appreciated the significance of the two behaviours. My profile is that of a technical personality. This means that, for example, although I am not particularly gregarious, as a technician, I can easily learn other behaviours. This is useful in my career as a consultant and coach, in which rapport building and communication skills are important, because it means that not only am I able to relate to clients (adapted behaviour), but I bring to them the benefit of my (natural) logical and enquiring mind. They get the benefit of both worlds, so to speak.

What struck me about Michael's presentation was that he explained that people were not limited to the behaviour of their profile but could adopt a whole range of other behaviours as well. However, and this is the point that struck me, they cannot do so for long periods. I have long been aware that after a period of social activity, for example when running a course, I have to retreat to my 'cave' for some quiet solitude to recover. Michael is the opposite to me. He is very sociable and, although he can produce excellent detailed work, has to take a break from such concentration every so often.

So if you know your natural and adapted behaviour profiles, you can focus your work on your natural style, with more effectiveness and less stress.

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