Empathizer Leaders
In the TALK2ME© system, Instigator leaders are hard-driving and focused on achieving target goals rapidly. Empathizer leaders, on the other hand, are focused but take more time to develop goal strategies. Empathizer leaders look before they leap, while Instigator leaders will first leap and then try to fix their mistakes. Both leaders are equally talented, just in different ways.
WHAT ARE KEY TRAITS OF EMPATHIZER (E-TYPE) LEADERS?
In order to be considered an Empathizer-type communicator:
1. You absolutely have to be a good listener.
2. You have to understand what the problem is by working collaboratively with the individual person who has the problem.
3. Your leadership style mandates that there has to be a buy-in from all team members to arrive at the best solution – no dictating of how to solve the problem or nixing the solution that is chosen.
4. You believe that communication is a shared responsibility. It has to be a two-way street – no monopolizing the Communicator Table. Open discussion of the presenting concern is mandatory.
5. You need regular affirmation of your achievements through commendations, acknowledgements, and positive feedback.
6. You relate to the world through your feelings. Your emotions run deep as the ocean.
7. Your leadership style involves researching the problem at hand to find as many possible solutions as possible, then you debate those options around the Communicator Table to select the one which will reach the goal that’s been set.
8. You try to please too much; you back down too frequently; you are too much of a perfectionist; you are too generous; you are patient to a fault; you are afraid of conflict.
9. You freely pass out compliments and show appreciation for ideas and work ethic, making a big difference in promoting involvement by all team members.
10. You never point your finger. If a person comes up with a problem-solving idea, he doesn’t feel like they’re out on a limb all alone, which builds confidence in your individual team members and the team as a whole.
Hard driving Instigator leaders can sometimes be misperceived as impatient tyrants or bully bosses. Relationship-driven Empathizer leaders, and their “New Communication School” skill sets, are increasingly in demand to smooth out troubled waters that stem from mergers and other organizational changes.
Dennis O’Grady is a Dayton clinical psychologist and developer of the results-driven TALK2ME positive and effective communication system. Dennis can be reached at (937) 428-0724.
You can talk until you’re blue in the face but it’s the consistency of your actions over time that define who you are!
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — February 9, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
I always knew that there was something missing in my understanding of personalities. The best explanation that I was able to craft was to an analogy of men in the old west i.e. that there are two types of men; the ones that rode horses and the ones that rode stage coaches.
After my initial consultation with Dr. O’Grady and subsequently reading the information contained in this website my eyes have been opened and clarity of thought now prevails.
Dr’ O’Grady, you have been able to define and explain the missing elements of what I’ve been trying to figure out. I’ve studied many of the greats, Zig Ziglar, Dale Carnegie, Jackie Cooper, Jor Verde and others. I’ve bought their tapes, attended their seminars and developed communication strategies, but none of these great motivators and teachers have ever unlocked the basic human psychological traits in such a manner as you have and in such a way that is meaningful.
Learning word tracts and or altering word tracts to fit my individual personality is OK, but I believe that understanding the personality traits of the person I’m dealing with is far more valuable, which for the first time, I now understand in ways that previously had me mystified.
I’ll be in touch as I want to see if we can arrange to get you in front of our men’s ministry to do a seminar, or two.
Comment by doc — February 20, 2009 @ 11:12 am
EMPATHIZER LEADERS
In the TALK2ME© system, Instigator leaders are hard-driving and focused on achieving target goals rapidly. Empathizer leaders are focused on their goals as well, but they take more time to develop strategies to attain their goals. Empathizer leaders look before they leap, while Instigator leaders will first leap and then fix their mistakes. Both leaders are equally talented.
KEY TRAITS OF EMPATHIZER (E-TYPE) LEADERS
Empathizer leaders:
1. …are good listeners
2. …understand a problem before work is begun to solve it
3. …encourage buy-in from all those around the communicator table
4. …model that communication is a shared responsibility
5. …recognize achievements of team members on a regular basis
6. …encourage open discussion of issues around the Communicator Table, to build self-confidence among team members
7. …set target goals and objectives but pursue them vigorously than an Instigator leader
8. …require and give regular feedback to promote team involvement
Hard driving Instigator leaders can sometimes be misperceived as impatient tyrants or bully bosses. Relationship-driven Empathizer leaders, and their “New Communication School” skill sets, are increasingly in demand to smooth out the troubled waters that come from mergers and other organizational changes.
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — March 9, 2009 @ 11:44 am
How are you as a LEADER?
Empathizer Intuiter leaders answer the above question thusly:
I work hard. I love to help. I bring ideas to the table. You know. I try to work together for peace. There are times I am very passive or very assertive.
If I understand the goal and approve of the goal I will give 110% and do what I know needs to be done.
I care about the people I work with. I believe in being unified.
When you have strife, you are not going to prosper or be successful.
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — March 11, 2009 @ 3:38 pm