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If you had to define the core of business, it would be the art of getting things done in service to others, and making a profit in doing so.

It is pretty simple, really – serve others and make a profit so you can continue to serve others. “Others” in this case includes leaders, employees, vendors, and customers.

It all sounds perfectly harmonious, except when that harmony turns to dissonance.

Dissonance occurs when two notes, or elements – or people – do not work well together. Working together is the difference between harmony and discord.

As you consider that the core of business includes getting things done in service to others, and that harmony is how things work together, it becomes very clear that harmony is essential to business.

Therein lies the opportunity, and, quite frankly, the challenge.

Businesses are microcosms of society. As such, you normally find four types of individuals, each with varying combinations of these strengths.

• D – Determined, Deliberate, Drivers
• I – Innovative, Imaginative, Inspirational
• S – Steady, Systematic, Service-minded
• C – Contemplators, Complex Problem Solvers

In the interest of getting things done, these distinctly different individuals must work together as one team.

How do you create productive harmony across such a diverse team?

First, let’s take a look at how each individual naturally gets from Point A to Point B.

D-wired Productivity

A D-wired individual is almost always the first one to take action. You will notice that they rapidly take off right from the start and go straight for the goal. Their energy is high above the baseline. And they will reach the goal, no matter what. Let’s just say, you never want to come between a D-wired individual and their intended mission. These are their strengths.

As with any type, there are also inherent weaknesses. D’s will often reach the goal with a few important details left undone, and so their path to the goal may be one of circling back to fix a few things. This part of the process can feel like quicksand.

I-wired Productivity

An I-wired individual operates at a high level of energy as well – at points, higher than a D-wired individual. But their energy is less focused, more random, exploratory, and creative. Some of their actions go nowhere, while others take a meandering path in the general direction of the goal. A disciplined I-wired individual will reach the goal, bringing ideas to life and teams together. They make work fun.

Without accountability, however, I-wired individuals can expend a high quantity of energy and never reach the goal. They may come close and then start a new project, or start over. They may get caught in an endless “idea” loop. They may drop balls here and there, without intending to do so.

S-wired Productivity

S-wired individuals operate at a lower and steadier energy level. While they may appear to be slow to action compared to the extroverts above, they are actually quite balanced between planning and action. As such, they waste less energy getting from Point A to Point B, and with details addressed along the way, they seldom have to circle back. Their systematic approach allows for a steady trajectory toward the goal. If allowed to work at their pace, they can get to Point B just as quickly as others, and often even sooner.

S-wired individuals will normally complete what they start, though if they are pushed to speed up or follow someone else’s system, they may actually and quite deliberately dig in their heels and inhibit progress.

C-wired Productivity

If you have heard the term, “Still waters run deep,” you have heard the descriptor of a C-wired individual. To an outside observer, it may appear that a C-wired team member is taking no action at all toward a goal. This can be a source of consternation…until the C-wired person comes out of their initial deep thinking phase with the perfect solution and plan in hand. A C-wired individual will think before taking action. And when they do take action, it is very much as direct as that of a D-wired individual, but the focus is tighter, and less energy is expended. Both D’s and C’s are task-focused.

C-wired individuals would do well to surface occasionally during their initial thinking phase to touch base with other team members. This allows them to focus their thoughts in alignment with other team members’ activity – and it gives the team a reminder that they are, indeed, working on the project as well.

Putting it all Together

Anyone with even a basic appreciation of music knows that good music is never just one note or one level. It is many notes coming together at once in harmonious fashion.

Each individual has their own innate methodologies for getting from Point A to Point B, and a wise leader will respect the differences. But when you put them all together, the magic happens.

There is high energy action. There is depth of thought and planning. There is creativity, and there is a melodious flow woven in. There are big picture goals reached, with levels of creativity, quality, and efficiency that no one individual could accomplish as one solitary note.

And, as you can see from the chart below, the details between high action and deep thought are much better addressed when each person plays their part.

Speed and quality. Big goals and small details. Tasks completed and customers nurtured. Growth and security. Expenses and income. Risk and protection. These are just some of harmonies created when the four parts work together.

To learn how your team can combine their individual strengths to create harmony in business, click here to learn about the Maxwell Method of Communication Impact Report.

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, Deb helps leaders and their teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.

When you have a strong team that collaborates well,
you have a competitive advantage.

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