Quite often I see strategic team leaders and board chairs trying to recruit the ‘right’ people for their team.  While specific hard skills are necessary, understanding personality type and how to work with the strengths of the individuals and team is crucial to effective communication and decision making.  This knowledge also can indicate where the weakness may occur in the decision making so that critical information won’t be missed by the team.

We all take in and respond to information according to our personality type.  This affects presentation of the ideas and issues before the team as well as the formulation of plans and solutions.

Rather than just trying to recruit the ‘right’ people, understanding the dynamics of the team’s interaction can enhance the effectiveness and make it more inclusive for the individuals on the team in the decision making process. It may not eliminate the elephant in the board room but will make it easier to get along with.