Autonomy and accountability.

These are two pretty big buzz words in the world of remote work. But there’s a reason for that! Truly, they are essential practices no matter what style of team you’re engaged in. 

In this day and age, especially with the effects of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to give people the autonomy that they need to keep themselves and their families safe by working remotely. It’s equally as important to assist those team members in getting the job done through creating effective accountability. 

We all benefit from knowing when we are on the right track and when we are not. Don’t you agree?

However, difficulties with this balance often arise because of the way someone implements either one of these practices. (This goes back to MBTI personality types and how certain types are wired to act in the world.)

Remember when we talked about the fact that we all see the world through our own personality filter? Well the same thing is true here. 

The balance between autonomy and accountability might appear a certain way for one personality type while looking like something completely different to another. 

There are certainly some similarities as far as temperaments go, but how people define and implement these concepts will be different because of their differing personality types. 
​
What is most important as a leader is learning about yourself and how you work. There’s a lot of value in understanding your own filter or view of the world. Once you understand yourself, it’s just as important to take the time to learn about your people and understand what they need to thrive in their work environment as well.

You might have noticed by now that leadership, management, and business ownership all carry a common theme…

You need to take the time to get to know yourself. It’s a crucial step in the process of discovering a deeper understanding of your team as a whole. 

By doing so, you’ll begin to meet others in a more successful, satisfying way. You’ll be able to give people the autonomy they need to thrive while also holding them accountable in an effective way. 

Collaborating as a team to know what people need to be at their very best will create an environment where communication is easier and people feel more understood.

Let’s schedule a time to talk today to figure out just what your team’s personality types need in terms of autonomy and accountability.

Here's To Your Success,
Kate

As a business owner or entrepreneur, you wear many hats. At times, it can be quite difficult to manage and keep up with everything yourself! 

This is especially true as your business grows. 

It’s exciting and fulfilling when business expands, but you may quickly realize that you just can’t do all by yourself.

However, even when you know you can’t do it all, it can still be hard to let go of the control you have over certain parts of your business. (This one hits hard for those of us who may be perfectionists...That’s me!)

But let me make it clear, there is nothing wrong with that struggle. It’s actually a good sign; it means business is getting ready to take off!

The first major step, before you can even bring another team member into the mix, is to get really clear on what you need. The right support is out there, but it does take work to find the right fit. 

So how exactly do we do that? 

In order to be clear about what you need outside of yourself for your business, you need to get clear what the need is inside of yourself first.

Now, you may be asking “Okay, Kate, but what does that even mean???”

Well, it means that in order to find exactly the right support that you need for your business, you need to be in tune with yourself. You need to figure out why you need support beyond yourself.

Is bookkeeping a drag? Social media not your thing? Does legal paperwork keep piling up? 

Invest in knowing yourself, your strong suits, and what makes you tick.

It’s really an inside job. 

Getting clear on what you need as an entrepreneur and business owner will help guide you towards finding the right support. After you take the time to invest in yourself and what you need personally, you’ll be able to better figure out what your business needs as well.

You need to know what you are trying to achieve, what your message is, or what you want to put out in the world through your business.

Knowing what you are looking for personally, in terms of support, makes expanding your business or team so much easier. Overall, the effort you put into reflecting on yourself and your business will lead to the right support that you are looking for...I promise! 

If you are having trouble pin-pointing what type of support you need through your self-reflection, let’s schedule a time to talk.

Here's To Your Success,
​Kate

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, there are a roller coaster of emotions that you feel going through the highs and the lows of your business. Sometimes even in a day. 

It can be a lot to deal with so many emotions and stress while still trying to keep everything together.

Some days you just need a break.

And you deserve to have breaks too!

But, there are a lot of times we can feel “in a funk” that can be hard to get out of. 

If there’s one thing that I want you to know… not everyone is motivated in the same way, with the same frequency or at the same intensity.

Differing personality types respond to different motivators. That’s a research based fact, folks.  

Perceivers may have a lot of motivation and ideas for getting a project or task started, but have trouble finishing the end product. Judgers are the opposite, they might find it hard to get started, but find a lot of satisfaction at finishing up a project. 

When you can fit your business tasks and projects to your own unique personality type, research shows that you tend to remain more motivated because the approach is consistent with who you are and your “zone of optimal functioning”. 

This is what I like to call your “sweet spot”.

Imagine if you could operate from your sweet spot all the time... 

You might just find yourself doing more in less time. Talk about increasing your productivity! 

Smart business owners know that productivity is the key to your success. You don’t have to make sweeping changes to find your and your team’s sweet spots. 

It’s as simple as learning how to motivate yourself and others by understanding who you are and how your teams operate best.

Let’s talk. Schedule a time to figure out how you as a business owner or entrepreneur can use personality typing to find your sweet spot and skyrocket your productivity.

Here's To Your Success,
​Kate

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart that I am sure you all as business owners and entrepreneurs can identify with.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur we wear all the hats. Especially if you are just getting started and it’s early in the game. 

We are responsible for making sure everything gets done. We deal with copious amounts of work and projects for our business and have to shift gears ALL THE TIME. 

As a business owner, there are things you are always thinking about such as personnel, marketing, finances, cyber security issues, legal issues, branding, messaging, networking, customer engagement...and so many more considerations. 

You have to make sure you have covered all your bases.

And if we didn’t have enough on our minds already with running a business, there are a lot of adjustments required just by being alive right now in a pandemic.

Best laid plans don’t always work out like we think they will.

When you think about all of the basic day-to-day business operations you as a small business owner or entrepreneur are responsible for, that is more than enough to fill your day. 

No wonder we feel so much stress sometimes with all that is on our minds?!

However, one thing I know to be absolutely 100% true, which I am seeing all over every industry right now is the importance of learning how to engage your team members and customers in a real, genuine and authentic way.

I know, we just talked about how much we have to do as business owners and the amount of stress we have and I’m adding something else to the mix of our daily lives.

Call me crazy, but hear me out…

Especially now, in times of crisis and stress, leading with empathy and genuinely engaging with your team and customers will give you the competitive edge in this day and age. 

Small businesses going online is becoming more and more of a saturated market. 

If you want to set yourself apart from all your competitors, think about the energy that you bring to everything that you do from your business to your teams to your everyday life. 

In order for customers or team to find your engagement authentic, there are some things you should consider. 

1. Build a community

What better way for your customers or team members to feel like they belong other than being part of a community? Whether it's a Facebook Group for your customers to join, or a group chat message for your team members, find a space where communication and genuine conversation can take place. This builds connection.

2. Provide value to your product or service

Let your customers know about the value that they are getting out of your product or service. Your customers are more likely to get behind you and your business if they are offered real value and understand how this can enhance their efforts. Same goes for your team. Let your team know there is purpose and value behind the work they are doing. Be real, open and honest and serve others.

3. Keep the conversation going

Your business is not all about you. Yes, your business may be your baby and something you have built from the ground up. Yes, you should be proud of that! However, without your team or your customers, your business wouldn’t be the great success it is. Reply to your customers or team members. Ask them questions. Engage your community and listen to what they have to say. Getting to know who is involved with your business is a priority if you want to scale and grow as a business!

Okay, so I gave you 3 things to consider for engagement. Pretty doable, huh?

In this time of stress and constant transition, engagement will go much further for your small business than you might think.

Setting yourself apart as a business by taking time to engage with your customers and team will give you the competitive advantage you need in our online world. 

Prioritizing engagement in your day-to-day just like you would marketing, finances, legal issues, etc. is the first step to more success.

Let’s schedule a time to talk about how you as a business owner or entrepreneur can engage those involved in your business during this time of stress.

Here's To Your Success,
Kate

Have you ever had a job where you or your team just felt downright, um... unproductive? 

Maybe the workplace environment felt off or you never felt fully heard…?

Sound familiar?

We’ve all been there before. And let me tell you something. It’s hard to give your all when you don’t feel like a valued and productive part of the team. 

But here’s the thing…

Productivity isn’t always a direct reflection of whether or not someone is capable of doing whatever it is they’ve been assigned to do. Oftentimes, a shift in the team’s overall environment or communication procedures might be enough to do the trick. 

You see, we all look at the world through our own life filters. 

Components of our personality preference type, our traits, our history, and our experiences directly impact the way we move through our day-to-day lives. 

This can and does sometimes create difficulties when working as part of a team and oftentimes, these challenges often show themselves as a decrease in productivity and overall morale. 

So it makes sense that understanding everyone’s personality type is an incredibly powerful tool that will help you increase effectiveness and productivity, right?

Raising and growing the bottom line all starts with people and understanding how those people work best.

Products and services are all important, don’t get me wrong. But the key factor in running a successful team or business is your people. 

The secret to success starts with your team. It’s about knowing them, honoring their own unique perspectives, and consistently working to better understand them. 

Happy people make wonderful and productive environments; it’s as simple as that.

They create collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

Remember this…

What motivates you, may not motivate or work for the people on your team. 

(I get it though...Sometimes it’s difficult to keep this in mind because you are always operating in the world through the lens of your own personality filter too!) 

For example, think about an Intuitive Feeler who has a Judging preference. If you look at specific traits for that type, they are efficient and reliable. They seldom miss deadlines, and achievement is constant. They follow the rules; they are good at anticipating needs and paying attention to details. They will assert themselves for harmony in a group. 

As a manager, even just knowing about this specific type and what it needs to thrive, will affect management style and communication. And in order to be an effective leader, you have to be able to communicate effectively to all types of people. 

I call this “type-shifting”.

In my experience, the most successful teams are the ones that are willing to understand all the unique components of the people they work with. And find ways to bring them all together in the same space.

Without a doubt, each team member fits perfectly into the larger puzzle. Everyone has a valuable part to play. As a leader, it’s your job to help unlock the potential of each team member through learning about who they are and how they thrive! 

And there’s no doubt that the first step in that process is awareness and understanding of each person’s individual personality type and preferences. 

Knowing personality type and preferences for the teams you participate in or manage is crucial not only in the corporate, or traditional business world, but it is especially important in the world of remote and virtual teaming as well. 

Let’s talk today! Set up a time with me to discuss how you can effectively develop your team with all of its different personality preferences. 

Here's To Your Success,
​Kate

Do you like to go above and beyond for your work? Do you like to extend beyond the bare minimum to establish yourself as a good employee? Maybe you like to push your work out of the box to get noticed?

As we have established already, certain personality types are naturally drawn to certain industries and interests.

It’s also true that certain types are more likely to rise to the top of traditionally structured businesses and companies. Traits such as objectivity, punctuality, and accountability are qualities that are often seen in those who are classified as “overachievers”. 

And this often gets promoted. 

Overachievers are often very successful in their careers leading to promotion, raises, etc. 

What’s interesting, though, is that although overachievers like to extend themselves for their work, the irony is that these same “achievers” may be far less successful in other parts of the organization - sales, training, or research and development, for example. 

It takes a village to make a successful business run.

So….who specifically are these “go-getters”?
What “types” tend to make up the promoted “over-achieving” groups that often get recognized the most for promotions and advances in their careers?

Traits such as Thinking and Judging tend to be types that are naturally promoted, and other types tend to be harder to find represented in upper level leadership, the higher up you go in a company. 

Though any one of the sixteen types can and does make it to the executive level, those not sharing the Thinking and Judging preferences, that make it to the executive level, tend to be the exception, not the rule. 

To give you some perspective, according to “tested type”, at the executive level upward of 90% of all executives are Thinking-Judgers. 

Crazy, huh?

Based on this, here are a few insights about what we can learn from the personality type makeup of the higher levels of the workplace:

• As long as management is predominantly Thinking/Judging preference dominated, women are statistically destined to be in the minority; there are simply just fewer “true type” Thinking women in the population.
• Most of the women achieving top-level positions will look typologically like their male counterparts. More than likely they will be Thinking/Judgers.
• The few Feeling-Perceptive types who make it to the top typically do so for one of two reasons: (1) simply to prove to themselves that they can do it or (2) because they have a missionary zeal to change the organization.
• The Feeling-Perceptive types that get there, do so not because the system accepted them so much as because of their ability to play the Thinking/Judging preference game.

​
While at the top, the idealists do have some impact, as soon as they leave, their programs are often obliterated with the sweep of a pen.

Diversity in the executive circles of any organization typically is pretty fleeting and over the long term has low impact on organizational effectiveness.  

So what does this mean for you if you are not a Thinking or Judging type? 

Here’s the good news: Especially now, workplace culture is continually changing. 

In some industries, especially up and coming industries like tech, there is more of an openness to diversity in leadership styles than we often see in the typical, traditional corporate world.

You can be a great employee and be an “overachiever” no matter your type. 

The great news about being an entrepreneur and business owner is that you have far more freedom and opportunity to challenge the traditional ways of doing business. 

You get to decide how your business will be structured, what kinds of diversity you will include and how to get the results you strive for in your business. 

This starts by leveraging knowledge about who you are and how you operate into creating an environment in which everyone can thrive.. 

No matter if you are an entrepreneur or working in the corporate world, you can leverage yourself to be successful no matter your personality type.

By understanding your personality types and how you can use it to your advantage in the workplace will go MILES. Get the raise or promotion. Expand your business.

Let’s talk today about your MBTI and how you can get those promotions you deserve at your work. 

Here's To Your Success,
Kate