How to Build Understanding—Turning Theory into Practice
“I don’t understand. You are driving me crazy!”
— Everyone U. No
If you’ve ever heard those words directed at you (or thought about directing them at someone else) you are ready to experience better communication through understanding!
Understanding. It’s a concept we learn very early on and spend a lifetime trying to attain. For many, it is elusive. For others, it’s an addiction. For some, it’s an exciting risk or even a motivating experience. For all of us, gaining an understanding of the people around us is a requirement for successful living.
How do I learn to really understand someone?
There is a tendency for people to believe that, although our behavior may differ, most people share the same values and are motivated by the same desires. The truth, however, is that no two people think and perceive information in the same way. They do not learn in the same way. They do not share the same motivation for their actions.
To truly understand someone — their interpretation of information, motivations, values, learning styles, work styles, etc. — we need to take a closer look at personality theory. Over a great many years, theories about personality and behavior have been developed. In 1996, the Insight Personality Instrument was developed. It’s goal was to move personality theory from the abstract to the applicable; to turn theory into practice.
What’s in it for me?
The short answer to this question is “more successful relationships.”
From the first waking moment of our day until we close our eyes at night, we depend on communication skills and motivational strategies to get our many tasks (both large and small) completed.
Inevitably, we run into situations where people we count on don’t behave and/or react the way that we expect. Our ability to determine the strengths and accurately predict the reactions of the people we work with, teach, and love would solve many daily “crisis” situations making our daily chores infinitely less stressful.
Doesn’t this pigeonhole people into specific categories?
If we take into consideration the genetic make-up, environmental backgrounds and other behavioral or psychological inputs on the human species, we see that it is truly impossible to exactly define a person by any specific type.
A person can, however, self-discover the spectrum of traits and characteristics that is unique to them. For easy (and ownership-friendly) identification purposes, Insight uses four colors — Gold, Green, Blue, and Orange — each defining certain trait characteristics along the continuum of human behavior.
Once the spectrum is identified, individuals can begin to take pride in and communicate their new understanding of self. Sensitized to the characteristics of personality traits, they can also begin to appreciate the similarities and differences in others.
Celebrate the Unique!
In the fast-paced, high-stress, world that we are immersed in, it is extremely important to remember the adage “it takes all kinds.” We need people whose strength lies in building strong relationships (Blues), people who may question authority in order to achieve innovation (Greens), people who are somewhat impulsive and enjoy taking risks (Oranges), and people who are dutiful and stable (Golds).
If we understand the personality styles of the people we deal with everyday, we cannot only predict how they will behave in particular situations, but we can adjust our interactions with them to play to their strengths. It is important, when putting theory into practice, to recognize that the success of almost every “people-centered” endeavor relies on the strengths of each personality style. We all need to understand and celebrate our uniqueness — then put it to work!
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