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Appreciating And Utilizing Style Differences

Identifying team member styles was a valuable exercise. There are several team members that I find a bit patience-trying at times. The Parker Team Player Survey identified these people as challengers and me as a collaborator-communicator. These people challenge everything because it is their natural style as a challenger. I find it grating because is causes discord which I, as a communicator, strive to minimize! No wonder these people get on my nerves! It's liberating to know that they aren't trying to be difficult and to know why it causes stress in me.

In retrospect, I didn't need the Survey to tell me this; it's obvious that they are challengers and I am a communicator. The problem is that until the survey, I didn't realize these styles existed. I'll never look at these teammates or other team members in the same light again. I expect that I'll be more patient and understanding in the future and attempt to facilitate synergy between them and the rest of the team. I also hope also that these challengers recognize the discord they can cause and consider this during their team interaction...

On the same note, the survey identified a particular individual as a contributor. As a collaborator, I find his incessant attention to details a bit annoying at times. This training will help me to be more accommodating in the future...

Ultimately, this is my way of saying thanks for the illumination and the training...

Project Team Leader
(Name withheld upon request)