Authentic Animal I am
As a follow up from yesterday, here is a second viewpoint on the Go-Giver Law of Authenticity with another splash of Game of Thrones.
Chances are you’ve taken one of those personality tests such as a DISC profile, Myers-Briggs or any one of the dozens that exist. About 5 years ago, my company picked up on one of these character trait books called Make a Difference by Dr. Larry Little. In a fun sort of way, his assessment sizes you up as either a Lion, Turtle, Monkey or Camel. Even if you have not read the book, it’s pretty easy to guess how those animals translate to people types. Care to speculate from the caption above which one I am? Out of a possible 20 points, I scored 15 on Lion with the remaining 5 on Camel. So… yeah… that’s kinda my dominant trait… maybe borderline ferocious. ME-OW!
We love Make a Difference and use the personality test as part of our hiring process. New hires get a copy. I regularly gift it to prospects, clients and others. We also have some interoffice fun with it too. Everyone has a plastic figurine of their dominant animal somewhere on their desk. It’s a good reminder of who you are talking to. For example, as a Lion I know my nature is to be aggressive and hard charging. But if I’m talking to a Camel, I know I’ve got to stick to the facts, our processes and the rules. If I suggest we forget about planning and just launch our assault on the hill, the Camel will likely shut down on me. So, I flex my style to reach the needs and desires of the Camel to match my ultimate objective: Attack the hill! C’mon, let’s go already! Learning how to size up others without knowing their dominant animal is also a good skill to develop since this can help you deliver better service, influence, sell more, or negotiate better.
On the surface, and intellectually speaking, this all seems quite rational. After all, each of us is different in the way we think and process information. The Monkey wants to be sure everyone was heard and their feelings considered, the Turtle wants to think it over for a long while, the Camel wants details and plans, and the Lion just wants to execute – like NOW. So, to be an effective team, we all flex to behave and think like all the other animals.
A few years later I discovered another book called StrengthsFinder by Tom Rath. Like a personality test, this assessment tells you where you are strong and where you are weak in 4 domains: Strategic Thinking, Executing, Influencing and Relationship Building. But what struck me most about this concept is that you are supposed to focus on your strengths and less on your weaknesses. Don’t try to be good at the things you’re bad at – rather, focus on what makes you great. Hmmm… how do I reconcile that then with all the other directives that tell me to be a more patient, feeling, thoughtful and deliberate Lion? If I am constantly at odds with my true nature, then aren't I less effective?
This all brings me back to authenticity. In my case, I must remember that being a Lion can be hurtful to others around me. I will fail as a leader, colleague, advisor, communicator and negotiator if I permit the Lion to run rampant. But I must NOT – must NEVER – do so at the risk of altering who I am or pretending to be anything but a Lion. I can be a respectful Lion. I can be leading Lion. I can be an inspirational Lion. I can be a nurturing Lion. But always an authentic Lion.
So what of Tywin’s advice to his son Jaime, the Kingslayer, when he uttered the words: “A Lion does not concern himself with the opinion of the sheep.”? Aren’t these the words of the ruthless? In Tywin Lannister’s world, yes, these merciless words are ones to live or die by – quite literally. But for me, there is a subtle and more pragmatic message: A Lion must remember his claws and teeth, lest he lose himself altogether. Whether you’re a Lion, a strong S, an ISTP, a pineapple (I made that up, but sounds cool right?), or whatever crazy system your company follows, just remember this: Whatever some test tells you, just be you – authentically you. Contemplate all day my Turtle friends, keep empathizing my Monkey pals, and stay the course my Camel Sherpas! And certainly Roar with pride my Lions!
Hey, look over there… some sheep! Lunch!