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.