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Meet The Team Member - Conflict-Averse Connie
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Each character in this new series is designed to portray one of four different styles of behaviour, based on Robert Bolton and Dorothy Grover Bolton’s book, ‘People Styles at Work’. For each style, we are looking at two examples: a person whose approach has more impact upon other people and one that has more impact upon the task in hand.
The style
This month, our team member is Connie. As a Relater, she can affect the people she works with in different ways. Relaters are generally people-focussed and loyal but tend to be listeners rather than talkers. Overall, Connie is a great team player and is very diplomatic.
She is supportive, sharing and easy-going but she does everything she can to avoid any kind of conflict. Ultimately, this means that she often fails to speak up and can be a bit too acquiescent.
The substance
Sometimes, Connie can come across as just a bit too adaptable and pliable because harmony is so important to her. Unfortunately, this also means that people might try and take advantage of her. Others might soon become frustrated by the fact that she won’t voice her real opinion for fear of upsetting someone.
So, although Connie likes to be a team player, her unwillingness to hold or express strong views on any issue may limit her effectiveness within the team.
The solution
Connie needs to learn the importance of making a stand occasionally. With some guidance, she may start to realise that not all conflict is bad – and that a certain amount can actually help to stimulate the generation of ideas.
She also needs to show some real passion and commitment for the task or goal in hand.
Try and help her to understand that this will help her to earn the respect of her fellow team members and clients and will ultimately make her a more powerful and effective team player.
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