This week I was listening to a lesson by John C. Maxwell where he talked about some of the classic success books. One of the books he profiled was The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. John's lesson had the following to say along with the quote that inspired this post:
Carnegie was a student of human nature and knew that effectively channeling a work force's energies was the mark of a true leader. He noted: "I did not understand steam machinery, but I tried to understand that much more complicated mechanism - man."
This was an encouragement to me as someone who is so convinced that organizational power is found in the understanding of the people, what they excel in, why the act the way they act, etc. I too struggle with the highly technical facets of many a job, but have gained a greater understanding of the complexities of people. That element of education is benefiting my leadership far greater than "how to twist the next nob."
Carnegie was a smashing success well before any of our times and had an intuition that served his mind and heart. I hope that many of you have a similar intuition when it comes to understanding the whole person and not just what their job description paints them to be. In today's time, there is a myriad of testing that can help us better understand someone. You know the most of them, Myers Briggs, Personalysis, etc.
One such tool I recommend for you if you manage people is the DISC Profile. Not just a bundle pack you buy off the internet. A friend of mine works for an excellent coaching company called Building Champions and they have a DISC product that will assess your people very accurately. You will learn what your people are naturally gifted for and if they are having to adapt into someone else to succeed against the unfit job. You will learn how they best prefer to be communicated with, how they worst respond. You will learn what they value, how they manage, how they prefer to be managed, etc. The DISC could even be a good tool for parents to utilize with their children --- Especially if the kids are seeking career advice.
Get my drift, it is really good. I recommend you do it on yourself first so you can see how accurate it really is. If you like it, do it for people on your team and send management job candidates through it and even people up for promotions or transfers within your business.
Never cease your own soul journey to understand people like Carnegie did, but be pleased that a DISC tool is available to help you.
To order a DISC. Go to Building Champions. Ask for my friend Joel Butkus and tell him you were referred by me and the blog. Joel can give you the rundown and he rocks!
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