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Campfire Leadership Lights the Way

A torch is a source of illumination. As it pierces the darkness, you can move forward; but the torch itself remains in the shadows. So, too, are those described as Torch Light Leaders. They shine enough light to keep everyone on track, but shy away from being in the spotlight themselves.

Magnovo CEO Rob Jackson wrote an amazing book entitled Campfire Leadership Effective Leadership From A Personality Perspective. Jackson had this to say about Torch Light Leaders: “I always felt sorry for these kinds of leaders because they never really seemed to want to be in charge. They were just too nice to say no when they had the position appointed to them. It’s hard to follow these leaders. They are very likable, but don’t seem to have a clear direction or passion for leadership.”

Campfire Leadership training can light the way to a more dynamic managerial style. It can identify a manager’s strengths and weaknesses without their feeling threatened or attacked.

That’s because Campfire Leadership training embraces the whole person. And acceptance of a manager just as they are can help them relax and accept constructive and caring advice to make them better at what they do.

For example a Torch Light Leader may be excellent at forecasting short term goals for a small project. As Jackson might put it: “They like the comfort of amiability in one-on-one situations.” And they seek problem solving scenarios that maintain a non-confrontational tone.

But when it comes to taking the long view, the Torch Light Leader is often in the dark. In a crunch, they have difficulty navigating through the personal confrontations required to make a production quota. They often melt in the heat of battle, which characterizes most competition in the American marketplace.

Fortunately, with training in Campfire Leadership methods, they will begin to see themselves in a new light. They will develop skills and techniques to shore up weaknesses and bolster strengths that make them fearless in any situation and more effective than ever!

Campfire Leadership workshops explore 4 leadership styles:

Lighthouse, Spotlight, Torch Light, and Disco. These workshops can open the door to a whole new level of professional and personal development and transform any manager into a Campfire Leader.

The Benefits of Campfire Leadership

Consider the lighthouse: a lonely tower in the middle of treacherous waters warning seafarers with a bright beacon of light. No doubt you’ve worked with executives who function in the same way. Analytical. Data-driven. Better at writing than face-to-face communications.

Their interpersonal skills like “a lonely tower.” Yet it’s this very introspective posture can help them forecast danger and help steer the company to financial safety.

“Lighthouse Leadership” is a management style some enlightened executives prize and cultivate in their subordinates. That’s because they know how to identify the strengths of their employees and even utilize aspects of their weaknesses.

How? By studying and mastering the art of Campfire Leadership, a concept developed by Magnovo CEO Rob Jackson.

Campfires evoke the image of warmth, coziness, and safety. Campfire leaders create a welcoming environment in which their workers feel safe, supported, and even valued as they grow professionally.

In this setting, character flaws aren’t problems; they’re opportunities for personal growth. Quirky personalities or work habits can be woven into the tapestry of the workplace and add value to the big picture.

Campfire leadership workshops can enlighten you and your executive team about how to understand and support the various leadership styles among your staff:

Spotlight leaders love the spotlight.
Torchlight leaders shy away from the limelight.
Lighthouse leaders search out hazards to avoid.
Disco leaders love being where the action is.

A deeper understanding of who’s on your team and how to bring out the best in them will make everybody shine.

Corporate Giving: A New Frontier At Common Grounds Workplace

A quiet revolution is changing the business world thanks to Common Grounds Workplace. And corporate giving is built into the business model. Common Grounds Workplace is a powerhouse of fresh ideas. One of their best ideas was inviting Magnovo to conduct the company’s first charity team building workshop. What an honor!!

Corporate America in the new millennial

Gone are the stuffy, stodgy, stagnant cubicles of yesterday’s office spaces. Common Grounds Workplace is turning the corporate American office on its head! The new normal is known as workplace-on-demand, and Common Grounds Workplace is the gold standard.

Common Grounds Workplace geniuses have created synergy and harmony through environmental design and this stimulates creativity, innovation, and productivity. Their clients cover the entire entrepreneurial spectrum from startups to Fortune 500 industry titans.

It’s an entrepreneurial hybrid:

Incubator space for clients who just want to rent a desk or book a conference room via the Common Grounds app—what else.
Permanent digs for well-established firms who want openness and collaborative fluidity.

Also gone are the costs of construction, infrastructure maintenance, lighting, IT, furniture, and personnel like reception, mail, and housekeeping. Operational costs are minimized through this shared space arrangement.

And thanks to Common Grounds’ support team and customer service, the environment is open but serene and distraction-free. Oh, and did we mention the kombucha? Yep! Organic goodies all on-site. Along with a barbeque zone, lawn games, and community bikes. The ultimate answer to work-life-balance. A Millennial’s idea of professional paradise.

Corporate giving on a mission

Gone, too, is the old checkbook charity—generous, but detached from those in need. Today, corporate giving is about corporate social responsibility to the community. Common Grounds Workplace wants to raise the bar here, too.

We led 16 of their brightest and best through a rigorous leadership training session that culminated in their building 4 new bikes. Our Bike-A-Thon Charity Workshops are models of efficiency: practical application of basic team building techniques, paying it forward to the community, and FUN! That’s right: fun is fundamental to all of our workshops!

And these Millennials savored every minute of the collaboration, the bike assembly, and the professional development activities. But the highlight of the whole day was the arrival of 4 members of the Boys and Girls Club of San Diego.

The bikes were their rewards for good grades, upstanding behavior, and good attendance and they were giddy with excitement when they saw their new wheels.

Happily, the Common Grounds staffers were equally thrilled about the fruits of their labors—the smiles and squeals of delight were the best rewards ever.

The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility: Magnovo Spotlights Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte

Magnovo models the importance of teambuilding through charitable giving and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte models the importance of corporate social responsibility. That’s why we’re such a formidable partnership when we join forces!

In 1974, Ronald McDonald Charities opened its first home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children. Many of them were in need of intensive medical care.

This first “House that Love Built,” as they are called, was established in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. How appropriate is that?

Today there are 360 houses in 43 countries. More than 10 million families have been helped and housed to date. There are currently more than 10,000 beds available to families with sick children undergoing major medical treatment.

And unfortunately, the need for these facilities never diminishes:

Every day, 43 America children are diagnosed with cancer.
Ten percent of American babies arrive prematurely.
40,000 babies are born in the United States each year with congenital heart disease.
Right now 2,000 kids under 18 are on the national transplant waiting list for kidneys, hearts, and livers.

The importance of corporate social responsibility and vigilance

Ronald McDonald Charities stands ready to fill the breach because of this constant need, . In the early 2000s two new children’s hospitals were built in Charlotte North Carolina. Ronald McDonald Charities recognized an opportunity to help.

In 2011, the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte opened. This 35,000 square foot facility is operated by a locally-based board of directors. And the strength of their commitment is evidenced by the $2 million they raised in 2017 alone.

The importance of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism

It’s literally a home-away-from-home, the kitchen is always fully stocked! The game room is always ready for fun, and the whole environment is always warm and welcoming!

None of this would be possible without the dedicated team of 6,000 volunteers appropriately known as “the Heartbeat of the House.” They work tirelessly round-the-clock cleaning and preparing bedrooms, stocking the pantry, baking cookies, and doling out lots of healing hugs.

Most of us can’t imagine having our lives upended by a life-threatening diagnosis for one of our children. Sadly thousands of families walk through this living nightmare every day. The psychological trauma and emotional toll can be horrendous!

At the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, these moms and dads find a haven of peace. They get a chance to relax, regroup, refocus, and recharge there.

On any given morning they may wake up to find small gifts left outside their bedroom door. During a particularly restless night, they can raid the refrigerator at midnight. They will find it crammed with their favorite comfort foods. And at any time—day or night—they can turn to any volunteer on duty and share their feelings. And they may also find that volunteer crying right along with them!

The importance of corporate social responsibility and community

The McDonalds fast food chain can brag of having served billions and billions of burgers for decades. The Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte has served the emotional needs of thousands of parents, children, siblings, and grandparents in their facility for nearly a decade.

Ronald McDonald is more than a mascot for a fast food chain. He’s a symbol of hope, healing, and heartfelt community bonding.

Free Wheeling Group Charity Projects

At last—winter is over! Time to spring into action with your colleagues at one of Magnovo’s group charity projects. Each of our charitable team building workshops is a marathon of freewheeling fun and team development!

Group charity projects that build healthy bodies

Biking is the ultimate aerobic exercise because it improves the efficiency of your cardiovascular system and maximizes its use of oxygen in your bloodstream. And it’s a low impact exercise that’s good for kids of all ages—from 5 to 85.

Biking can protect us from some forms of cancer [particularly breast and colon], stroke, arthritis, depression, and diabetes. It helps fight obesity, improves joint flexibility, and strengthens bones.

Our Bike-A-Thon Charity Team Building Workshop will be a terrific team building workout for you and your staff. After some rigorous leadership training, you’ll assemble bicycles for low-income children in the community. During the construction process, teammates will learn how to collaborate more efficiently. And at the end of the day, you’ll hand off a fleet of brand new bikes to a group of deserving kids.

Group charity projects that build community

“Radio Flyer.” In America, these 2 words mean just 1 thing, “a little red wagon.” Created in Chicago in 1917, these toys are an iconic part of our country’s history. For more than a century they have brought fun and excitement to millions of children.

Magnovo’s Wagon Builders Charity Team Building Workshop pays tribute to these amazing toys. This workshop is the ultimate blast from the past! You and your staff will divide into teams and assemble these bright red fun-mobiles to donate to low-income children in your area.

Group charity projects like this make corporate social responsibility fun and emotionally satisfying for everyone concerned—the donors and the kids.

Magnovo’s corporate social responsibility events are good works that are good for business.

Group charity projects that improve quality of life

You’ve probably detected a theme here: the wheel. It’s considered by some to be the greatest invention of all time and that makes sense. Why? Because since its creation in 3500 BC, the wheel and its “spinoffs” have continued to transform and improve the quality of human life.

The wheelchair is one of these transformative spinoffs. There are approximately 2.7 million wheelchair users in America today, and several hundred thousand of them are disabled veterans. These patriots are among Magnovo’s favorite charity recipients.

Patriotic group charity projects

Few of us know what it’s like to lay your life on the line every day in the heat of battle in a foreign land. Fewer still understand what it’s like to have your life changed forever by a military service-related injury.

Injuries that result in permanent physical disability can also result in permanent emotional and social disability. For thousands of veterans, immobility means isolation and depression. Challenging accessibility in the workplace limits their professional aspirations. Simple errands like going to the grocers or the drugstore are complicated and exasperating.

Access to a wheelchair is a game changer. It means independence and freedom. It breaks the spell of depression and restores veterans to the fellowship of friends and family members.

Magnovo’s WheelCharity Team Building Workshop is an opportunity for you and your company to salute the disabled vets in your city by donating wheelchairs you assemble yourselves. You’ll spend an afternoon bonding with your colleagues through various team building exercises. And at the end of the day, you’ll have a collection of new wheelchairs to showcase the fruit of your labors.

What a great way to honor these patriots and say “Thank you for your service and your sacrifice!”

Community Service Team Building for Kids’ Sake

Comedian Robin Williams once said: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!’”

And what a party! A riot of glorious color bursting from every tree. A symphony of birdsongs whirling through the air.

Bluer skies. Brighter sunshine. Warmer weather. Longer days. More fresh air. You could get an endorphin rush just thinking about it!

The only thing better than spring fever is the fervor of community service team building. And the most rewarding community service is the kind that helps kids in need.

Strengthening our youth through community service team building

For millions of children, spring fever means one thing: sports! Baseball. Tee ball. Softball. Soccer. Track and field. Lacrosse. Volleyball. It’s full tilt game on!

But for thousands of kids, the costs of youth league sports are too high. Youth league sports—fees, gear, travel, lodging, food, uniforms, and protective accessories—is a $17 billion industry.

That translates to about 60 percent of American families spending between $1,200 and $6,000 per child every year. And families with deep pockets shell out as much as $12,000—again, that’s for each child each year!

Among low-income youth, there’s been a steady decline in youth league participation because it’s just too expensive for their families. This is especially tragic for these kids because their fast food diets and sedentary lifestyles can lead to chronic, debilitating health problems.

Magnovo’s Mission: Sports Care Charitable Workshop puts financially challenged children back in the game and companies like yours into the good graces of your community.

During our workshop, your staff will improve your team building skills through our training sessions. And at the same time, you’ll level the playing field for a lot of low-income kids.

Most kids aren’t as geeked about winning as their parents. They just want to have fun with their friends. You and your colleagues can help make that happen. During a few friendly but competitive team building activities, you’ll amass a stash of gear to donate to a local charity that serves needy kids.

Think helmets, jerseys, referee whistles, knee pads, soccer balls, baseballs, volleyballs, foam balls, frisbees, jump ropes, hula hoops, playground balls, and more! This equates to hundreds of dollars you’ll invest in the health and happiness of children in your area.

Community service team building: the gift that keeps on giving

Youth sports is a childhood experience with long term benefits. When the environment is safe and the competition is friendly, youth sports can enrich a child’s social skills.

Through sports participation, kids learn how to follow directions and submit to the authority of their coaches. They are trained to collaborate, communicate, and put their teammates first. This is leadership development at its best because they’re being groomed for success at an early age.

And then there’s their physical health and the alarming matter of childhood obesity in this country. Among children 6 to 11, more than 18 percent are overweight. And more than 20 percent of those 12 to 19 are obese. These statistics are staggering. Team sports help kids lose weight safely. Sports activity also lowers their risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer or diabetes.

Community service team building that tracks kids for success

Children consistently involved in youth sports grow up healthier physically, socially, and emotionally. They’re less likely to smoke, use drugs, or drop out of school. They are also more likely to avoid teen pregnancy, a criminal record, and a prison sentence.

Your Mission: Sports Care donations can set children on the road to solid citizenship: college enrollment, gainful employment, and career success. And your generosity will be greatly rewarded because good works generate goodwill.

Magnovo Spotlights Rainbow Dreams Academy

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, and so did Dr. Diane Pollard. For nearly two decades, she has worked tirelessly to make her dream come true–and it has!

Magnovo salutes Dr. Pollard and the Rainbow Dreams Academy. She and her team of devoted educators are transforming the lives of hundreds of low-income, at-risk children in the historic district on the West Side for Las Vegas.

A dream come true

She and her husband, Anthony, a medical physician, had thriving careers and the respect of their contemporaries. But they are both visionaries and civic activists so personal fulfillment was not their end game. Their hearts’ desire was to build an enduring legacy by helping at-risk youth in their community.

So in 2007, after years of planning and strategizing, they opened the Academy, a K-8 public elementary charter school which receives federal funds via the Title I program.

According to Pollard, “The school’s mission is to educate and prepare our students to challenge their intellect, maximize their talents, respect themselves and others, and take pride in their heritage in a nurturing, learning community.”

Full STEAM ahead

The student body consists of more than 300 pupils. The curriculum includes Mathematics, science, English language arts, African American history, computer technology, reading, social studies, fine arts, performing arts, and Spanish. And each class is taught in the context of multicultural inclusion.

In the future, they plan to offer a pre-K program and plans are already in the works for a new middle school building to house their STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics] Program.

With a state-of-the-art multimedia library, bright modern classrooms, a science atrium, and a learning garden, the Rainbow Dreams Academy is a cultural, social, and educational oasis in the Las Vegas desert!

On-going challenges

In addition to Title I funding, the Rainbow Dreams Academy benefits from the support of the 100 Black Men of Las Vegas and other civic-minded organizations. And the staff encourage full buy-in among parents so that their childrens’ education is a partnership that requires their input as well.

What the gold at the end of the rainbow looks like

During a recent Rescue Buddies Stuffed Animal Charitable Team Building Workshop, Dr. Pollard was overcome with gratitude for Magnovo’s donation of 50 Rescue Buddies to the Academy. And she shared one of their success stories, which was emotionally overwhelming to all of the workshop participants.

She described two troubled brothers who were banned from school for a year. Their attitudes and behavior changed dramatically when they came back. Indeed, one of them is now an outstanding and upstanding young man.

Online, the parent of another boy declared, “My son went to kinder here and he’s starting first grade here this year….We both love the school and the staff. Everyone is nice and sweet. My son loves his teacher…She’s great with the kids! Thumbs up!”

From another parent, “This is absolutely an amazing school. I would recommend this school to anyone that is looking for a great diverse school for their child to attend.”

And from a student, “I actually attend Rainbow and it’s AMAZING!! We all trust each other, and since it’s not that big of a school, we all know each other… We believe that no matter what, teamwork makes the dream work!!”

One of Dr. Pollard’s greatest motivators is shared by Magnovo CEO Rob Jackson. It’s a quote by Dr. Maya Angelou: I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. The spirit of this quote frames everything that both Pollard and Jackson do in service to their communities.

How Charity Events Spark Employee Engagement

Charity Events Sparking Employee Engagement Image One of the best ways for a company to get total buy-in from their employees is by hosting charity events for the less fortunate in their community.

Magnovo conducts hundreds of charitable team building events every year with corporate clients who are devoted to corporate social responsibility. In 2018 we donated 242 wheelchairs to disabled veterans; and 310 care packages to deployed military personnel. We just wanted to thank them for their service to our country.

Thanks to our partnerships with corporate clients and charitable organizations, 535 low-income kids around the country are popping wheelies around their neighborhoods on the bikes we donated. Others hitched our wagon donations to renewed hopes for a brighter future.

The hearts of 981 traumatized kids are comforted every day by our Rescue Buddies–stuffed bears, fish, fowl, and other stuffed animals we made and donated to help these kids recover after horrific family tragedies.

Thanks to our donations, 235 kids went back to school with supplies their parents couldn’t afford. And our pet care packages offset expenses for new pet parents.

Animal shelters, hospitals, food banks, schools, charities, and first responders—we work with organizations in every community we visit in partnership with our corporate clients.

Charity events are gifts that keep on giving

The benefits of charitable team building are innumerable and multiply exponentially. A charity event is a fantastic time for a “leadership-style” makeover.

Progressive managers recognize that charity events are golden opportunities for employee engagement because they level the playing field. How? By turning all eyes and agendas toward the needs of the poor.

No matter where they are on the food chain, everybody pulls together for the good of someone who’s not on the food chain at all. And the amazing thing is that everyone benefits—personally, professionally, socially, and morally. Charity is good business and generosity is good policy.

Charity events build goodwill

Corporate community outreach motivates Millennials more than any other generation in the American workforce. Companies that regularly host charitable teambuilding events build a reputation for integrity in their town and among their staff.

Millennial staffers, in particular, want to make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. And that same zeal is then applied to their work duties. Employees who are motivated to do good works also manage their time more efficiently. They value their professional roles and find it easier to see how they fit into the grand scheme of things.

Charity events shape the big picture

New sales quotas, new productivity levels, and new team building strategies. These and other professional aspirations are more readily fulfilled when good corporate citizenship is a part of the big picture.

For every technological innovation, every fresh approach, every new campaign, every additional procurement—the human element is the common denominator. Employee engagement is the glue that holds everything together or makes everything fall apart.

Consider making charitable giving the centerpiece of your teambuilding plans. Rally your staff together to donate food to a local food bank and have fun in the process. How? By combining it with a game of miniature golf. We call it the Puttin Pantry.

Work with your regional Boys and Girls Club to distribute bikes, wagons, and school supplies to needy children. Check out our Bike-a-Thons, Wagon Builders, and Mission: Kids Care workshops.

Say thank you to soldiers deployed overseas by shipping books, magazines, games, snacks, and even socks. It’ll make home feel a lot closer. Just ask past participants in our Mission: Military Care workshops.

Through our Happy Tails workshop, you can help an animal-loving family take the next step toward pet ownership. All you and your colleagues have to do is donate a “starter kit” of food bowls, leashes, beds, and toys.

Through our Hospital Helpers workshop, you can meet a hospital patient and make their day by showering them with gifts like bath gel, lotion, stationery, magazines, journals, and doctor-approved snacks.

Making life better for your neighbors will make life in your office better. Boosting someone else’s spirits will boost your company’s bottom line.

Workplace Communication at Micronutrients

At Micronutrients, better workplace communication and team building are built on DiSC personality styles training. And it works.

Small beginning, big impact

Micronutrients started out in 1992 as a research project. In no time at all, they took the agribusiness industry by storm with the development of a revolutionary product called hydroxy trace minerals.

Sold under the brand name Intellibond, their hydroxy trace minerals are like a high tech superfood for cows, pigs, and chickens. Micronutrients’ trace mineral specialists are pioneers who’ve developed a nutritional system that makes mineral absorption more efficient and the feed itself is more stable and much safer.

Micronutrients’ Intellibond products include a patented combination of zinc, copper, amino acid complexes, and other minerals. This agricultural breakthrough maximizes the nutritional value of feed for livestock which improves animal health and productivity.

Now a subsidiary of Nutreco, Micronutrients’ global impact has revolutionized the beef, pork, and poultry industries. They’ve dramatically improved the quality of meats, minimized costs to ranchers, and maximize environmental sustainability.

The challenges of workplace communication

No doubt you’ve noticed that getting everyone on the same page with the same focus can be difficult. Even a well-chosen team of top professionals can experience communication barriers.

If you want to know how to communicate, you need to know who you’re communicating with. Their personalities, values, and mindsets. Insight and understanding are key to workplace communication and team building with DiSC personality training is the first step.

DiSC identifies 4 personality styles: Dominant, Influential, Steadiness, Conscientiousness. Most of us are a combination of 3 of these styles.

DiSC personality style training can open your eyes to:

Who your team members are as people and professionals;
Why they think the way they do;
Why they act they way they do;
How to guide them to a greater level of self-awareness; and
How to motivate them to become their best selves professionally and personally.

When workplace communication works, everything else falls into place–deadlines, productivity, quotas, and profits.

DiSC personality training results in constructive, positive dialogue—open minds can open doors and as well as hearts. And open communication is the ecosystem of a healthy office.

Feedback from the Micronutrients managers was glowing. One executive said, “… that it was the best training his people have ever been through. It kept them engaged and alert. The whole group was very attentive and participated very well.”

Forgive the pun, but the Micronutrients staffers really ate it up!

Why Are Soft Skills Important To Your Sales Team?

Why are soft skills important? Soft skills are important because they are the building blocks of every relationship with your colleagues and with your most valued customers.

Communications—verbal and non-verbal—sensitivity, tolerance, patience, teamwork, adaptability, listening, and time management. These soft skills come naturally to some of us. But there’s always room for improvement. And DiSC personality training is one of the best tools for soft skills development.

How DiSC boosts soft skills development?

Let’s face it, relationships take work! Fortunately, that workload is easier to bear when you understand who you’re dealing with! Not just their name, title, or rank on the food chain. DiSC identifies who they are based on their personality.

DiSC stands for “Dominance,” “Influential,” Steadfastness,” and “Conscientiousness.” These are personality styles that can help you understand what makes them tick.

Each DiSC personality type is a key to what motivates people. For example, I-styles are usually extroverts. They love being “in the mix” and setting the tone. “Quiet reserve”—that’s how lots of S-styles are described. As you begin to understand each personality style, you’ll learn the soft skills that work best with that colleague.

And your team building goals can be based on your understanding of the personalities on your team. Obviously, none of us is 100 percent 1-personality style. According to a recent study, most of us are a combination of 3.

Why are soft skills important to your sales team?

Soft skills can help you make some hard decisions. How? By dictating your approach to everyone involved in those decisions. And by helping you communicate with them in a positive and constructive way.

These skills are based on your EQ, or emotional intelligence, more than your IQ. Your ability to empathize will help you communicate more earnestly and supportively. Patience and tolerance are also soft skills that can shape your leadership style.

Anyone can use fear and intimidation to motivate subordinates. But more enlightened leaders know that modeling the kind of humane treatment they’d want for themselves. It’s a far more successful way to inspire a sales team to ramp up their level of production. And enlightened leadership requires a deeper understanding of each team member’s personality.

Why are soft skills important to your customers?

Old school hard sales tactics don’t work anymore. Today, both new business and repeat customers are based on relationships. And relational sales thrive on interaction.

Customers expect special attention, treatment, and consideration. They don’t just want customer service. They want personalized customer care.

Teamwork and adaptability are soft skills that make it easier to customize responses to even the most high maintenance customers.

As your DiSC personality training progresses, your own soft skills will improve. You’ll develop a keener sense of which members of your sales team will work best with certain customers.

How do you combine DiSC and soft skills development?

Partnering a D-style sales rep with one who’s an S-style may be a winning combination for a special customer. Of course, the first thing you’ll need to do is to scrutinize their personality profiles to make sure that these 2 teammates are as compatible with each other as with that special customer.

D-styles are often fearless and absolutely love a challenge—as long as they are in charge. An S-style may focus so intently on getting all the facts right, that they make decisions too slowly for the D-style partner. But because they do such meticulous research, an S-style’s presentation is usually stellar.

As their leader, you may need to use soft skills like diplomacy and positive reinforcement to forge a strong partnership between the 2. Communicating directives and clearly delineating areas of responsibility will help everyone involved know what is expected of them—individually and as a team.

You may also need to meet with the D-style privately to make sure he or she understands how much their strengths are valued and to help them recognize weaknesses in their interpersonal skills.

The whole point of developing soft skills based on personality training is that as a manager, employees trust you as their advocate and not their adversary.

Knowing that you’re willing to work with them to become better at what they do will motivate them tremendously.

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