redford - I just did the personality test, thanks. It was very illuminating and accurate.
I have done one before and I think I might have changed types, but can't remember. Do people do that or not?
OP - Give it a go if you didn't already.
Chat Forum
Self help, soft skills and Tony Robbins
-
Posted 4 months ago #
-
coaching and mentoring is a function of leadership.
That assumes that the "leader" has better skills than the other people in their "team", not always the case. Take football as an example - goal keeper is the captain, do you think they are in any position to coach or mentor the outfield players? Or do you think that by just being good at what they do they encourage others to fulfil their potential?
Posted 4 months ago # -
Redfordrider,
I agree with you about military leadership up to a point. IMO the armed forces do possess some very good leaders, but because of the disciplined structure it can be easy to just rely upon the legal authority a little too much.
This will only get people so far and I can think of two simple reasons for this;
1. There are many job roles within the military were a junior rank has to exert authority or direction/influence upon a person with greater rank.
2. In it's purest form (the battlefield) leaders who are despised or seen as dangerous can be easily 'got rid of'. You only have to look at reports of 'fragging' within the US military during Vietnam for evidence of this, and I have little doubt that it happened (perhaps more rarely) within the conscripted British Army of WW1 & 2.Military leadership can definitely be very different from corporate leadership but I would in no way look down upon it or say that military personel don't need to develop or possess good leadership skills. In fact in these times of increased commitments and reduced headcount it is probably more important than ever.
My point in my first post, I guess, was that the OP should not look to the military to solve his lack of influence in an office environment.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Management and leadership are different things IMO.
You can be managing something and not necessarily leading it.
Posted 4 months ago # -
chakaping - it's not clear that people can change their personality type. If you take the test when you are young and still forming your worldview, values and norms it's likely to change once you reach a level of maturity (not necessarily your age). However, knowing your own personality traits helps you to understand how you are perceived by others, why you might have a personality clash with a collegue, or perhaps identify areas for improvement.
It's useful to google the four letter result of the test as there is lot of additional info on the net.
However, you need to answer the test according to your real feelings and not how you would like to be. Otherwise the test is meaningless. Honesty is key.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Managers do things right; Leaders do the right thing.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Nowt like a cliche is there. I really dont think you can learn leadership skills or read about how to improve them in a book. Also, in the military who are the real leaders - politicans?
Posted 4 months ago # -
BigEaredRider - useful points, thanks.
Posted 4 months ago # -
redfordrider - I'm probably being more honest now that I'm not doing it in a room full of work colleagues.
Makes more sense and the results are more useful anyway.
SBZ - take the test and tell us what type you are.
(I'm ESTJ, for the record)
Posted 4 months ago # -
Surrounded by Zulus - Some cliches are axiomatic; they are unoriginal because they are timeless and true. Your're right - theory without practise is unlikely to deliver results. However, I believe that leaders can be made and are not born. Leadership is not the result a 'superior' genetics or class. Everyone has the potential to be a leader. Few see this potential in themselves. A little theory, self awareness and reflection can encourage a person to free themselves from self doubt, poor self confidence and the put downs by others.
Posted 4 months ago # -
chakaping - I'm an INTP. This is me http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP.html . Thanks for sharing.
Posted 4 months ago # -
rfr, nicely put and a view I share.
Also with the MBTI test, interesting as it is to know a persons particular type is only a bit of the picture so making inferences based on MBTI type alone is in a way, its own cliche.....
How many times have you heard
"He / She is doing that and its ok as they are a WXYZ" (or whatever type)...
Posted 4 months ago # -
Chapaking - I too am ESTJ.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Separated at birth, eh?
Posted 4 months ago # -
Apparently so.
Posted 4 months ago # -
rickmeister - MBTI and other Jung typologies are merely a tool and perhaps a starting point. Knowing that I have tendencies and traits broadly consistent with the INTP type I've been able to improve my relationships with collegues, family and friends. I also have a better understanding of how to manage relationships between members of my team. Most importantly, I can recognise how I react to stress and am able to adjust my behaviour. Have you tried this test http://www.politicalcompass.org/index ? Just a bit of fun.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Interesting test, thanks for the link... pressed a few buttons!
Posted 4 months ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
