Motivating:
The Generalist's combination of self-confidence and enthusiasm makes
them tremendously motivating managers who are attuned to the needs of
their
staff. They are good at selling the vision, getting the team to share their
sense of urgency and push themselves toward common goals.
They are strong proponents of positive feedback, to the point of
flattery at times. Although they recognise the need for constructive
criticism, in their desire to remain upbeat, they may postpone it until it is
long overdue.
Delegating:
Generalists will delegate tasks freely and will usually seek buy-in
from the person to whom they are delegating, if the situation warrants it.
They have a high level of trust in individuals and give them the personal
freedom to choose how they're going to get things done.
At times their confidence in their own abilities may result in unrealistic
expectations of their staff, and their neglect of the particulars can
translate into ambiguity in the minds of their more detail-oriented team
members. Their tendency to leave things to the last moment may create chaos
in the workplace.
Decision making:
Generalists are decisive people who are aware of the people impact
of their decisions. As a result, they will often consult the team to obtain
their input prior to making a decision. However, Generalists who are
much more Dominant than Sociable may see the exercise as an opportunity to
convince the team of their approach, rather than significantly change their
plans. On the other hand, the Generalist who is much more Sociable then
Dominant may try too hard to accommodate the needs of others.
Their high sense of urgency and desire for constant change leads to
enthusiasm for new approaches, ideas or projects. As a result, they may
neglect on-going projects, potentially leading their staff to the
perception of a flavour-of-the-month management style. Similarly, they will prefer to
spend their time putting out (or starting) fires and avoiding more mundane
duties like planning and administration.
Dealing with conflict:
Generalists will approach conflict and difficult issues head-on,
before they have a chance to become serious problems. They are not afraid of
being challenged but will be sure to balance their natural assertiveness
with empathy, seeking a win-win resolution.
Occasionally, they may get bogged down in the emotional side of the
issues, which could distract them from making an objective decision.
Additionally, their enthusiasm and desire to get things resolved quickly may
result in the presentation of a solution before they fully understand the
problem.
Developmental recommendations:
To augment their drive and enthusiasm for new initiatives with a stronger
approach to implementation, they would be well-served by courses in...
- time management
- effective meeting management
- leading change
- effective delegation
- project management.
Additionally they may benefit from courses in listening skills.
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