Ep 46. Understanding Your Playground Personality

Katharine Giancalone of The Corporate Nanny has honed a keen eye for human nature over a long and successful career. Taking a talent-focused view of organizational management, she has long extolled the virtue of understanding each team member on a personal level. In Part 1 of today’s chat with MindTeam Solutions, the playground pathologist delves into her strategies for sublimating her most potent ideas into actionable advice.

 

1:03 Borrowing Time

In a world seemingly tilted toward maximum momentum, it can be easy to forget that time is by far our most valuable resource. The onus then falls on you to present your ideas in a memorable and relatable fashion when a person gives you of their time. What specific effect do you hope to achieve? What resources will you need to work toward these goals? What incentives are there for the individual to assist you in your endeavor? Knowing how to package and present this information is often the deciding factor in garnering the support you need.

 

2:52 Playground Personalities

Personality tests such as the Meyers-Briggs Personality Indicator have become popular metrics by which to evaluate team members, and for good reason. These classification devices can yield important information about an individual’s strengths, and more importantly, their self-perception. With this in mind, Giancalone has streamlined this concept into what she calls “ playground personalities,” essentially descriptors of an individual’s core operating system. This inner child forms the basis for our adult selves, consistently dictating our course of action.

 

7:36 Nanny Statement

Asked to shed more light on the origins of her consulting firm’s name, Giancalone credits a client in Arizona with drawing the parallel. She points to the traditional duties of a nanny, which involve caretaking as much as supervising, linking the spirit of nurturing to the corporate world. In her work, she works to become part of the company culture, frequently earning invitations to parties and events by fostering relationships in every workplace. Her unique style of guidance not only endears her to the organizations she works with, but has been proven to deliver results.

 

9:48 Equipped to Excel

A leader is only as effective as the enthusiasm they can elicit from team members. In many cases, individuals who may be perceived as underperforming have never been given the best chance to succeed. The hidden costs of turnover are well documented, and practically everyone who has worked in a team setting can attest the intangible toll of organizational instability. For these reasons, Giancalone emphasizes the importance of attracting valuable contributors and valuing their contributions in her book “Oops, I’m the Manager. ” 

 

12:23 Self-Awareness and Beyond

The reality that looking outward starts with looking inward can often be underappreciated. Here, Giancalone highlights the importance of self-awareness in guiding others to mutually beneficial outcomes. Do we see situations as opportunities to benefit or opportunities to contribute? Are our apparent goals our actual goals, or does our theory differ greatly from our work in practice. Effecting positive change in the world around us begins with a more comprehensive view of ourselves, our abilities, and our motivations. Indeed, great leaders understand themselves first.

 

Connect with Katharine Giancalone:

Website –https://thecorporatenanny.net/

LinkedIn –kathy@kgworks.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Corporate-Nanny/106698357976

Twitter- https://twitter.com/corporatenanny

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinegiacalone/

Connect with MindTeam Solutions:
Website: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mindteamsolutions
Email: Info@MindTeamSolutions.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mindteamsolutions

Employee Engagement and Culture Change

Things like Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or Emotional Intelligence are more than trendy catchphrases or legalities.  When they become part of your culture, DEI and EI are the keys to your company’s growth, success and legacy.

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) steps that strengthen your team and boost your bottom line
  • How do you harness…and hold onto…your team’s Emotional Intelligence?
  • How to have Tough Conversations with positive outcomes
  • Rethinking Assessments so they actually work for your team and your organization