The Knowledge Bites blog - grow your skills

Welcome back as we finish our journey through the different personality styles of the Navanter Personality Styles Instrument. If you missed the previous parts of this section, you can start here . To take the NPSI test yourself, visit this page . Motivation: Quality and reliability There’s only one way to do something as an Investigator , and that’s the way which is most likely to achieve strong results with a minimum amount of risk, even if this means a longer process. “Shortcut” doesn’t appear in the Investigator’s vocabulary – if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly. Words chosen: Precise and detailed language where appropriate Investigators are not particularly verbose under normal circumstances, preferring instead to take a step back and observe rather than rushing in with solutions to problems. However, when something is said, it’s important that it’s said clearly, and Investigators are skilled at using precise language in order to communicate an exact

Welcome back as we continue our journey through the different personality styles of the Navanter Personality Styles Instrument. If you missed the previous parts of this section, you can start here . Motivation: Low-pressure and comfort for others The Harmoniser is motivated less by their own feelings of comfort and inclusion, but that of people around them. Harmonisers want to help others where possible, and make an environment in which others feel comfortable and are free to thrive. This desire to make others comfortable means that Harmonisers prefer not to assert themselves, but to give others space to shape their roles and lives. Words chosen: Inclusive language creating a shared journey Harmonisers prefer not to ask others to do what they wouldn’t attempt themselves, and this desire manifests itself in their inclusive approach to communication. The Harmoniser prefers “we” to “you”, and speaks in a way which coaches others to find their own goals. Tone of voice

Welcome back as we continue our journey through the different personality styles of the Navanter Personality Styles Instrument. If you missed the previous parts of this section, you can start here . Motivation: Popularity and team work The Idealist thrives on being popular – it’s important for an Idealist to be liked, and to have the flexibility to complete tasks as they see fit, rather than as others want them to be completed. The Idealist can be hugely enthusiastic to work on a new task, but struggle with the follow-through, which can lead to a long list of half-completed work. Words chosen: Adjectives and feelings words Idealists a great at motivating, persuasion, and gelling a team together. They tend to use exaggerated language, and spend their time describing how amazing, or terrible, something will be. Their words are chosen to inspire others towards action. Idealists are very good at telling stories. Tone of voice: Varied and interesting Idealists are m

Welcome back as we continue our journey through the different personality styles of the Navanter Personality Styles Instrument. If you missed the previous parts of this section, you can start here . Motivation: Achievement and control The Realist is an achiever – this person likes to have a goal, and will proactively work to achieve that goal through motivated working, and through moving problems aside as they are encountered. Achieving the goal is more important than how it is achieved, however, and there’s a danger that there may be casualties along the way. Words chosen: Verbs and directing words The Realist chooses words which encourage action – lots of verbs and instructions for people. The Realist prefers it when people don’t push back on instructions, as this can delay the objective being achieved. The Realist likes to get to the point quickly, and has little time for small talk. Words like “I need” rather than “I like” can be over-used. Tone of voice: Confide

As you maximise your ability to communicate with your team members, it’s important to understand not just your strengths and what you bring to the role which are important, but also who you are as a person. How do you tend to communicate? What impact might that have on others? Where and how do you like to operate? The Greek philosopher, Hippocrates (460-370 BC), was the first person to record the different personality styles which he observed in the world around him. He gave them different names in those days (it was over 2,000 years ago – fashions change) but his observations were startlingly correct, and are still used today in many personality assessments. Hippocrates called the four types: ·         Choleric ·         Sanguine ·         Phlegmatic ·         Melancholic His work was re-visited by more modern philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, Carl Jung and Elias Porter, who, along with others, built on Hippocrates’ work. These experts then decided that most people are a blend of th