Using a personal style inventory for volunteer and member development
Abstract
Personality style is an integral part of many training sessions. Identifying participants' style brings understanding and empathy to group members, helps trainers target materials, and can serve as a wonderful icebreaker for longer sessions. This effective practice was submitted by D. Mark Simpson during the "Eight Core Competencies: Best Training Practices" session, held at the 2005 National Conference on Volunteering and Service.Issue
This exercise is one way for participants to gain awareness of their individual personal styles and to understand how this style affects their work and interaction with others.Action
Use the "Buffaloes, Beavers, Eagles, Mice...Oh My" personality style inventory to help volunteers and members gain insight into their own personalities and how to work effectively with others in their organization.
Materials Needed
- A packet for each participant containing the INVENTORY, THE FOUR BASIC STYLES [see "source document"], explanation page, and the DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Pens or pencils for completing the inventory and for taking notes
- Flip chart or newsprint and markers for each of the four styles during their small group discussions for reporting out later to the entire class
Time frame
This workshop can be completed in as little as 40 minutes, or may be expanded to fill 60 or more minutes. Suggested minimum times are provided for the various component activities. Adjust according to allotted training session timeframe and the individual need/interest level of the group.
Procedures
A. "I'd Prefer..." Icebreaker
Following the necessary introductions, begin the presentation with the warm-up or icebreaker activity "I'd Prefer..." from The Center for Applied Research in Education, 1996. Offer the group some of the scenarios in which each person must make an individual choice between two options. Have persons choosing the first option move to one side of the room; persons choosing the second option should move to the opposite side; persons unable to make a definitive choice may place themselves somewhere in the middle. Stress to the participants that there are no right or wrong choices. Once all persons have made a choice and are comfortable with their places, ask volunteers to share their reason or justification for the choices they have made. Use any and all of the choice scenarios, or make up additional ones of your own, to meet the timing needs of your presentation.
Scenarios: Would you rather...
Proposed by The Center for Applied Research in Education, 1996.
- Be healthy or wealthy?
- Be good-looking or athletic?
- Lose your sight or your hearing?
- Sing well or play an instrument well?
- Be smart or athletic?
- Be a good parent or an unmarried, successful businessperson?
- Win a full college scholarship or tour Europe free for a year?
- Own a sports car or have a small role on a somewhat popular television program?
- Hit a home run in the state championship game or win an award for your charity towards the elderly?
- Be popular or be the student with the highest grade point average in your class?
In wrapping up the this activity, discuss that as active human beings we make hundreds or even thousands of choices each and every day; some we analyze a great deal, and some we don't even think about. Often, these choices, especially the ones we don't really think about are tied into our own personalities and personal styles. Minimum 5 to 10 minutes.
B. Personal Style Inventory
Distribute the entire packet of the materials, or at least the inventory page to the group. After going over the instructions, allow participants time to work independently, to answer the questions and tabulate the results. Distributing the points for each pair of descriptions is a matter of preference, but mathematically, the maximum number of points possible per any one section (A, B, 1, or 2) is 56. If participants have the entire packet, encourage them not to skip ahead. Minimum 10 to 15 minutes should be allotted for completion of the inventory.
C. The Four Basic Styles
Next, instruct the participants to determine their personal style and their "Totem animal“ by combining their higher score from the top section (either A or B) with their higher score from the bottom section (either 1 or 2). This letter/number combination corresponds with a description on THE FOUR BASIC STYLES page of the packet. Review the descriptions of each style with the group and ask participants to voluntarily identify themselves as representatives from each of the four styles. NOTE: Persons whose scores overlap or are very close together may have to choose which style represents them the majority of the time. These folks are often the most adaptable and move easily from one style to another as circumstances dictate. Minimum 5 to 10 minutes for review of the four styles.
D. Four Styles Small Group Work
Following review of the styles, have the participants break into four smaller groups which represent each of the four styles: Buffaloes, Beavers, Eagles, and Mice. In each group, the participants should first complete the DISCUSSION QUESTIONS individually and then discuss the questions and come up with a set of group consensus answers. If paper and markers are available, the group answers should be recorded to assist with the final report out phase. Each group may want to designate a recorder and/or reporter. During this time the workshop leader and any additional trainers should move from group to group observing the dynamics and process of each. Be prepared to add observations to the report out discussion. Minimum 10 to 15 minutes.
Discussion Questions
Now that you've determined which animal best represents your personality, first answer the following questions below on your own. Then discuss them with the other members of your particular "animal" group. Your group should be prepared to report out to the others following your discussion.
- Why do we need your type?
- What strengths do you bring to a group?
- What would you expect if your group were composed of individuals whose styles were all like yours? How would the group function?
- What do the other three "animals“ need to know in order to work effectively with your style?
- How will understanding the four styles help you in working with those whose style is different from yours?
E. Report Out
Each group reports out on their consensus answers to the Discussion Questions. Noticing in which order groups volunteer to present may give interesting insight into the different styles. Ask questions or provide observations about group and individual work practices during the group work phase. For example: What happened in the group of Buffaloes? Did everyone want to lead the group? Minimum 5 to 10 minutes.
F. Wrap Up
To close the session, discuss with the group how their awareness of their personal styles can help them relate better at work, at home, and in social situations. Also discuss how this can be a fun and useful activity to replicate at home or at their service site. Minimum 5 to 10 minutes.
Context
- The four styles used by this inventory and explanation—the Buffalo, the Beaver, the Eagle and the Mouse—are loosely based on the idea of animals representing different spirits or traits in Native American culture, and their representation in the carving of totem poles.
- The personality styles workshop information can be adapted and replicated to suit specific training needs.
Outcome
- Awareness of an individual's personal style can help him or her relate better at work, at home, and in social situations.
- Understanding all four styles can help volunteers and members work together more successfully.
Posted On
November 16, 2005For More Information