Diverse generational teams get better results 80% of the time.
Adele Stickland
Business Psychologist | ICF Coach Team Communication, Training & Coaching
Diverse generational teams get better results 80% of the time compared to individuals working individually or in a non-inclusive team!
Research from Cloverpop revealed that having a diverse group of individuals in a team leads to superior decision-making. Teams composed of members from varying age groups seem to excel the most.
(ref: Cloverpop’s White Paper: Hacking Diversity with Inclusive Decision-Making)
Psychometric tests will help create diverse teams - agree?
It has become a common practice for employers to use personality assessments during the hiring process to screen applicants quickly. However, there is controversy surrounding their use as some candidates may know how to manipulate their responses to appear more favourable.
Another concern is the potential for participants to acquiesce and agree with statements, regardless of accuracy. This tendency towards acquiescence may be an individual difference.
How can psychometric tests help?
When developing and building diverse teams, these tests are a game changer. Creating diverse teams is essential, as studies have shown that having a mix of different personalities can lead to better decision-making and innovative solutions.
It's essential to avoid having everyone with the same personality type in a team or workplace, as diversity is critical. Interestingly, research has found that teams with a mix of ages and genders tend to make better decisions 80% of the time. Teams with diverse individuals excel in decision-making, especially when they come from different age groups.
It's not always best for everyone to have the same personality type in a team or workplace. It's good to have a mix of different personalities to help balance things out - having the ‘same’ personality type in a room or a team doesn’t work.
?The DISC/INSIGHTS psychometric test, developed by Thomas Erikson, conducted an interesting experiment.
Erikson assigned the same project to the four personality groups and observed their behaviour. The experiment demonstrated that having a team of only one behavioural type limits diversity of thought.?
DISC profiling team players will improve team diversity- agree?
According to Erikson, a team of 'yellows' is full of high energy, laughter, and discussion but lacks listening skills. A team of 'greens' is characterised by a calm and quiet environment, focused on listening, building consensus, and prioritising stability and security. A team of 'reds' is loud and chaotic, with little collaboration. Lastly, a team of 'blues' engages in detailed problem analysis but struggles to progress towards a solution.
If you're not familiar with these INSIGHTS, here's a brief overview:
DISC profile: Steadiness/Earth Green
People with the Steadiness/Earth Green personality are recognized for their reliable, composed, and encouraging demeanour. They typically try to avoid conflicts and place great importance on maintaining solid relationships with others. Their commitment to keeping their word makes them trustworthy individuals.
Some prominent figures who exhibit these traits are Gandhi, Halle Berry, Jimmy Fallon, and David Beckham.
DISC profile: Influence/Sunshine Yellow
The Influence/Sunshine Yellow personality type is characterised by decisiveness, inspiration, and a tendency towards impulsive behaviour. These individuals enjoy meeting new people and have a natural talent for drawing attention.
Notable figures with this personality type include Bill Clinton, Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Liza Minnelli, and Oprah Winfrey.
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DISC profile: Conscientious/Cool Blue
The Conscientious/Cool Blue personality type values calmness and order and is skilled at analytical problem-solving. They are detail-oriented, systematic, and logical, working at a slower pace and focusing on procedures, constraints, data, and analysis. They believe in the importance of structure and rules.
Famous individuals with this personality type include Albert Einstein, Kevin Costner, Richard Nixon, Clint Eastwood, and Bill Gates.
DISC profile: Dominant Red
Individuals with a Dominant Red personality type are quick to act without caution. They have a strong desire to control situations and prioritize completing tasks quickly, even if it means taking risks and incurring a high cost. Reds are often seen as natural leaders who are highly determined and forceful.
Examples of red dominant decisive doer personalities include Hilary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Robert DeNiro, Michael Jordan, Barack Obama and Mother Teresa.
A diverse team is essential for achieving the best results, as each team member brings unique strengths based on their personality type, age, and gender. Using just one type of personality might not lead to the best outcomes. That's why it's essential to embrace and understand these differences. Studies have shown that teams of individuals from different generations and genders perform better.
Teams make better decisions than individuals 66% of the time, and teams from varying generations and genders tend to yield better outcomes around 80%.
Diverse perspectives can lead to more creative and effective solutions. This is likely not news to you!
Full article available on my website: Age Diverse teams make better decisions!
Next steps
To support organisations experiencing these generational challenges within your organisation currently (or know someone that does), I’d love to chat with you about how I can support you and create a resilient workforce that can bounce back and learn from these difficult conversations.
Training and facilitations that include a personalised approach and facilitated group coaching sessions that develop personal and professional growth for employees will create a solid, proactive response to generational conflict.
In terms of the types of generational conflict training programmes I can offer, these include:
If you are interested in supporting your team’s resilience with bespoke Generational Awareness & Education and the solutions to close the generational mindset gap
Then reach out and book a quick call so that we can identify the needs of your team and what will work for them and your business.