People and Personalities. Every where we go we are wittiness to both people and personalities for after all personalities is a reflected from the person. At a meeting I recently attended I took inventory of the personalities in the room. Okay full disclosure at some point the meeting became, at least for me, unproductive so I had to entertain myself someway. Back to personalities.
The first individual, whom we will call Jose, sat taking it in what was being shared though obviously disagreeing with what was being said. Jose makes several comments about how things were becoming complicated. Several times during the meeting Jose would look across the room and make eye contact with another person and nod his head side to side as if exasperated. We shall call Jose Cool Cucumber.
Another person, whom we will call Silva, interjects respectfully; yet, does not hesitate to identify those with which they do not agree. Silva is passive aggressive disposition comes to life when she can no longer make as if new demands are not bothering her and becomes verbally softly aggressive.
Teresa now, she can be different. Teresa appears confident in herself and for sure is one of the Alpha’s in the room. Teresa often does not let others complete their thoughts before interrupting because she knows best. Teresa has good intentions though by many is seen as insensitive, bossy, and unsympathetic.
Then we have Margaret who was suppose to be running the meeting. Although at times the meeting was being run by one of the Big Three mentioned in this writing. Margaret know her stuff, no I believe Jose , Silva, and Teresa don’t have a vote of confidence for Margaret because of a managerial style.
I sat observing the dynamics within this group and came up with several take away:
- Be aware of where I am going to sit
- We all have a voice; it is important when to use the voice.
- Just because I have an opinion doesn’t mean I have to share
- Drink Water
- Respect is essential to listening and hearing
- Fidget when necessary
- Be Comfortable in your own skin
- Listening is easy
- Hearing is not easy when we are already thinking of a response
- Mindfulness shift thoughts toward awareness
The meeting ended two hours later. One hour to long for my liking; however, I learned my lesson well. What life lesson will you learn today?
“The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The
willingness to learn is a choice.”
Brian Herbert, House Harkonnen
Carpe Diem,
Gloria