STRESS The Impact of Personality Styles and Emotional Intelligence

Adelaide University
Presented by :
Kate Smith Trainee Psychologist, Rehabilitation Consultant, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Cert IV Trainer

Overview
Personality Styles Emotional Intelligence

What does personality have to do with stress?

Relationships within the workplace can cause or negate stress Knowledge of how you perceive and are perceived by others can assist with your and others happiness in the workplace Knowledge of different personality styles can assist you to understand reactions from others

What does personality have to do with stress?

Assessing your style and understanding others Understand our own behaviour and that of others Appreciate that while people are different, everyone has a value, strengths and special qualities People rarely set out to cause upset Helps to understand how others perceive you

Style Grid
Many style tools / grids available in the marketplace
Many models have 4 quadrants language varies but methodology similar

Useful for understanding self, team dynamics and interpersonal relationships Not a personality test Not an excuse for poor behaviour! No right or wrong style

Style Grid Preferences

Steady

PACE

Fast

Task Focussed

ORIENTATION

People Focussed

Detailed
(here and now)

CONCEPTUAL

Big Picture
(future)

Indirect

COMMUNICATION

Direct

Behavioural Style Grid

Less Expressive (Task Orientated)

Less direct

More direct

More Expressive (People Orientated)

Steadier More detailed

PACE

Faster Big picture

Behavioural Style Grid

Less Expressive (Task Orientated) 10 ANALYSER DIRECTOR
Serious Well-organized Systematic Logical Reserved 2 Factual 3 9

8
7

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Less direct RELATOR

Co-operative Friendly Supportive Patient Relaxed Helpful More

More direct INFLUENCER

Outgoing Enthusiastic Persuasive Humorous Gregarious Lively

Decisive Independent Efficient Intense Deliberate 8 Achieving

10

Expressive (People Orientated)

Steady

PACE

Fast

Director Strengths when Overused

Strengths
Independent
Results-oriented Forthright

Overused

Poor Collaborator
Bulldoze people Abrasive

Practical

Short-sighted

Analyser Strengths when Overused

Strengths
Prudent Painstaking

Overused

Task-oriented
Systematic

Indecisive Nitpicky

Impersonal
Bureaucratic

Relater Strengths when Overused

Strengths
Diplomat Dependable Supportive Peopleoriented

Overused

Conflict avoider Dependent Permissive Inattentive to task

Influencer Strengths when Overused

Strengths
Articulate

Overused

Fast-paced Visionary
Fun-loving

Poor listener

Impatient Impractical
Distracting

Director: How to Connect

Get to the point quickly in a clear and succinct manner

Speak in a fast pace Be specific and dont over-explain or repeat yourself Make direct eye contact Minimize small talk

Be organised and well prepared

Focus on results to be achieved Be punctual and stick to guidelines

Influencer: How to Connect

Make direct eye contact

Present in an energetic and fast paced manner

Support your ideas with the opinions of people whom they respect Confirm any agreements made; follow up with a brief to do list so they remember what they agreed to do Allow some socialising time in a meeting Talk about experiences, people, opinions and facts Ask about their gut feel Maintain balance between fun and reaching objectives

Relator: How to Connect

Less intense eye contact preferred

Speak in a moderate pace with a softer voice and moderate tone

Seek their opinions and ideas: then listen Try not to counter their ideas with logical argument Allow time, and thus reduce pressure, for them to make a decision Encourage them to express their concerns without you getting upset with them Aim for mutual agreement on work goals and completion dates

Analyser: How to Connect

Be more formal in your speech and manner

Do not speak in a loud or fast paced voice

Present the pros and cons of an idea along with options

Follow up in writing
Be punctual Present information in an organised, planned and comprehensive manner Accept that risk taking options are not always welcomed

Bully? Have a good vacation. Ive decided not to give you your bad news until you get back.

Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence is a form of social intelligence that
allows us to monitor and shape our emotions and those of others. (Wood et al 2004) The ability to: Recognise emotions Understand emotions Regulate emotions Use emotions
(Mayer and Salovey 1990)

EI Competency Framework
Self Awareness
Self Awareness

Others
Social Awareness

Actions

ei

Self Management

Relationship Management

Performance

EI Competency Framework
Personal Competence: Self Awareness Social Competence: Others

Self Awareness: Knowing ones internal states, preferences, resources and intuition

Social Awareness: Empathy referring to awareness of others feelings, needs and concern

Actions

Self Management: Managing ones internal states, impulses and resources

Relationship Management: Relationship management including desirable responses in others

An Emotionally Intelligent Person

Knows Oneself (Self Awareness)
Recognises how their feelings affect themselves and others Has a deep understanding of their own strengths, weaknesses, needs and drives Controls bad moods and emotional impulses

Manages Feelings and Impulses (Self Management)

Chooses words carefully and avoids hasty judgements

Creates an environment of trust and fairness

An Emotionally Intelligent Person

Understands social dynamics (Social awareness)
Knows how people are feeling Appreciates different peoples points of view Understands how organisations work Helps people improve Is a leader: provides clear direction and creates a motivating climate for others Is an excellent persuader Brings conflict into the open

Advanced Socially (Relationship Management)

Take Home Messages

Some aspects of stress management are within your capacity Build your Emotional Intelligence Be aware of and appreciate individual differences Seek assistance through CHG as required