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Challenges come to each of us. Some are small; some are major and life-altering. Challenge is no respecter of persons. You can prevent some challenges, but not all.

And that is not a bad thing because challenge makes a person stronger.

The key make it or break it question is, “How do you handle those challenges?”

The answer is, “It depends.”

It depends on the situation, yes, but it also depends on who you are and how you are wired. Facing a challenge in your way, in your strengths, will give you the ability to power through.

Here are a few examples.

D-wired

A driven, D-wired individual thrives on challenge. Tell them something is impossible, and they will find a way to make it possible. They will take swift action, head directly into the challenge, pull in resources, and start assigning tasks. They may have to circle back when a detail is missed here and there, but they will forge ahead to get the desired results.

If there is an urgent need, a D-wired leader can be your best asset.

I-wired

An I-wired person is quick and nimble in action and thought. They do not enjoy the heaviness or the blocking of movement that a challenge brings. But an I-wired person is also very creative. Their way of overcoming a challenge may be to find a quick fix or a creative workaround. They may also find a detour to circumvent the issue altogether. They are like the prepositions of challenge: they will find ways to go around it, over it, under it, or through it.

If there is a need for a creative solution, an I-wired leader can be your best asset.

S-wired

An S-wired person is all about keeping the peace. As such, they may choose to ignore a confrontation or go quietly inward to try and resolve the issue. They will think through the different perspectives in detail and will often come up with a systematic solution that resolves an issue in a way that creates a win-win for everyone. They are also good listeners and often great mediators or advocates.

If there is a need for a peaceful resolution to a conflict or an efficient solution to a problem, an S-wired leader can be your best asset.

C-wired

A C-wired individual, like the D-wired individual, is very task-oriented. However, different from the D-wired individual, they will think and analyze before taking action. They are quiet starters, but you can bet their solution will be thorough and sound. C-wired individuals like to do things right the first time, so if they solve a problem, it will be as close to a perfect resolution as possible. Their ability to think into an issue also helps to prevent small challenges from becoming major ones.

If there is a need for prevention or a reliable solution, so an issue does not reoccur, a C-wired leader can be your best asset.

How does knowing this help you lead?

If you are a leader facing challenges, consider which type of leader you are and which type of leader you need to bring the desired resolution.

Think about a particular challenge you are facing now.

Which kind of leader do you need?

• Is it an urgent need that requires swift action? (D-wired leader)
• Do you need outside-the-box ideas for resolution? (I-wired leader)
• Is it necessary to resolve a conflict or create efficiency? (S-wired leader)
• Do you have time and want someone to create a quality solution? (C-wired leader)

If you are not facing a challenge right now, keep this checklist handy for when the next one comes. Having the right kind of “challenge leader” in place will allow you to resolve issues faster and more effectively.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!