#metaprogram

Our passion for bringing the best out of people usually requires the learner to take an honest dive into self-discovery. One aspect is the degree by which a person prefers to work alone, and with complete control over their work, or in close proximity to other people, and with shared responsibility for decision-making.

Many people can happily manage these two ends of the continuum, but some seem to get stuck at one end and rarely shift their position.

Here's a little hint to be able to spot somneone who may be stuck at one or the other end (and maybe it's you?).

You walk into the meeting room early. There is one other person sitting at the table. When the next person arrives watch where they will sit. An independent person will sit as far away as the first person as possible and occupy themselves with writing, emailing or some such independent activity, until the meeting is ready to begin. Maybe they will say a forced hello, to be polite.

A co-operative worker will sit close to the first person and probably start chatting to them.

As the meeting room fills the indepent person will unconsciously inch their chair backwards to make a bigger space for themselves. Cooperative people will be the first to pull their chairs in more closely if gets tight.

An independent person is easily distracted by peripheral talking and dislikes being disturbed when working.

A co-operative person likes the distractions and can ignore them if needs be. They can perform well in an environment with lots of talking and interaction.

There is no right or wrong - but there are consequences.

Which one are you? Or are you balanced?