I recently contracted George Myers from Effectiveness Institute to facilitate two team development sessions for the City of Seattle HR Executive Leadership team on which I serve as director. George used EI’s Behavior Style and Teams That Work assessments and models to help inform our group’s discussion about their performance and ways to address opportunities.
The Behavior Style assessments played a pivotal role in our journey as we strive toward leadership excellence. The process created an opportunity for us to engage in self-reflection, recognizing strengths and areas where we could further develop. By delving into our tendencies, preferences, and communication styles, each of us gained a greater understanding of ourselves as professionals. It was like shining a spotlight on our professional personas, revealing nuances we might not have been fully conscious of before.
However, the true power of the Behavior Style and Teams That Work assessments emerged when we collectively examined the results. This collaborative effort allowed us to identify the impact of our team’s Behavior Styles distribution and our team’s perception of our performance. We gained insights into why certain team interactions were more successful than others and pinpointed areas where improvements were needed.
While a great deal of work remains ahead, the assessments initiated a journey of self-discovery and team cohesion. The process empowered all of us to recognize our personal growth areas and leverage our strengths more effectively. Collectively, we have used this knowledge to establish a purpose statement and create new norms that are leading to improved collaboration and performance.
George’s exceptional facilitation of this process was remarkable. His talent lay in his ability to grasp the unique dynamics of his audience and engage them in a manner that created an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Everyone felt comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This, in turn, enriched the group’s discussions and problem-solving processes. In essence, George’s facilitation skills went beyond merely conveying information. He possessed the art of connecting with his audience on a deeper level, making the learning or collaboration experience both enjoyable and effective.
Kimberly Loving is the City of Seattle’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She initially joined the city as the Shared Administrative Services Director in SDHR before transitioning to her current position. Her team supports over 13,000 City employees across nearly 40 departments in the greater Seattle area.
