Objective: To undertake a team-building session that took into account the diverse range of personalities amongst staff. The activities needed to show that, while personalities differ, individuals and teams can effectively work together in ways that complement one another, ultimately benefiting the business and customers (children and parents).
Process: Prior to the team-building session, each employee was asked to complete a Jung Type Indicator assessment, which is a modern alternative to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The dimensions measured included:
- Extroversion/introversion
- Sensing/intuitive
- Perceiving/judging
- Thinking/feeling
The responses from this assessment place each individual on a continuum between two extremes, i.e. highly extroverted and highly introverted. Knowing the ‘type’ of each employee enabled activities to be planned around the different dimensions, demonstrating the differences in personality.
The session highlighted employees’ differences, their frustrations and the ways in which they could support their colleagues. For example, a highly extroverted employee may feel that their introverted colleagues never have anything to contribute because they don’t say anything. Conversely, introverted employees may have great ideas to contribute but say nothing because they feel their ‘louder’ colleagues are never quiet long enough to allow them to speak up. In response to the assessment, extroverted colleagues often realise the need to ask introverted colleagues for any feedback, suggestions or comments, and allow them time to respond.
Some activities separated the different personality types and some activities required similar types to work together on problem-solving exercises, emphasising personality strengths. At the end of the session, participants were given their reports confirming their ‘type’.
Outcome: Employees learned how to work together effectively as a team. They learned to recognise and appreciate the diverse strengths and challenges of their colleagues and how they could effectively work together to achieve the same goal. How your ‘type’ fits within the team
Benefits: Encouraged employees to understand the value of working together and improved working relationships
- Improved communication skills
- Increased performance and employee motivation
- Greater satisfaction from the perspective of children and parents attending the day care as the employees are happier in the workplace
- Better able to create project teams that achieve successful outcomes
