Many years ago I had the pleasure of providing training on personality for a group of prison workers. Using actors, I had created a skit to introduce the different personality types. We had our smarmy salesman, an artsy department head, a chronic complainer, a conservative accountant and a dictator. The goal of the skit was to show how the characters’ differences were tearing them apart so that I could then train them on how to use those differences for better results. The audience was able to laugh at the wild approaches the artsy department head offered to the team while fending off bad jokes from the salesman. They identified with the chronic complainer and the reserved accountant. They gave names to each character as they noticed a resemblance to someone they worked with. They exchanged looks and commented under their breath as they watched the dictator throw cruel insults at their friends and rip apart every idea they brought forth. The chemistry in the room changed from lively to tense. Their jaws were clenched and their brows were furrowed as they hoped for someone to speak up to this guy. A bold prison guard jumped from his chair and shouted for the dictator to be fired and thrown out. Others joined in to demand his removal. The mean, abusive manager was fired to the delight of the audience. We had unknowingly tapped a nerve and the ousting of the oppressor was just the therapy this group needed. They changed from agitated to elated. Team spirit filled the room and training was a success.

You may be wondering what personality and prison guards have to do with you and your work environment. Too often managers take on the role of prison guard because they just don’t know how to deal with all the different people around them. You may be a prison guard if:

1) You get red in the face and scream to make your point.
2) You move difficult personalities to other departments or away from you so you don’t have to deal with them.
3) You prefer to giver orders over asking for ideas.
4) You don’t feel you have time to listen.
5) You interrupt others.
6) You like to let people know what will happen to them if they don’t do what you say.

What can I do?
Take a test- There are some simple personality tests available that allow you and those around you to have fun learning about each others strengths and weaknesses. It is also a great team building exercise. This may be the exactly what your office or company needs to bring back the team spirit and to have a better understanding of each other.

For more information and a free evaluation, contact Lori Miller, President of Tooty Inc. Tooty Inc. is a creative company devoted to evaluating, training, monitoring and mentoring your customer service and sales teams. lori@tootyinc.com 708-478-5772