Carol BucknerBirkman InternationalThe best thing about this session right off the bat is that the attendees from this session will walk away with a new Needs at a Glance, which is now called the Component Atlas. Social Energy (prev. Acceptance)
- Represents preferences for group and team participation.
- High scores – magnitude of social energy
- Low scores – tend to conserve social energy
- Needs – how we recharge our social energy (being around people or being alone)
- Analogy: At a conference by yourself, do you feel comfortable going up to people and talking to them, or keep to yourself?
- Norm: High (usual), low (need)
- Reversal: Low (usual), high (need), low (stress)
Physical Energy (prev. Activity)
- Represents preference for pace of action and physical expression of energy
- High scores – appear physically active and busy
- Low scores – can still be active, though they will seem less physically active and more thoughtful/reflective
- Higher Thought can result in lower Physical Energy
Emotional Energy (prev. Empathy)
- Represents openness and comfort with expressing emotion
- Low scores – tend to regulate emotions
- High scores – more expressive of emotions (positive & negative)
- Physical energy and emotional energy are negatively correlated
Self-consciousness (prev. Esteem)
- Use of sensitivitiy when communicating with others
- High scores – think “what should I be saying? how will what I say be interpreted?”
- Could also be considered “consciousness” because it takes into consideration how others will feel based on what you say.
- High usual takes the scenic route, while low usual wants the most direct route.
- High needs – wants others to pay attention to phrasing before speaking.
- High (usual) – tactful / guarded with communication
- Low (usual) – don’t worry about what they are saying.
- Norm – low (usual), high (need)
- Reversal – high, low, high
Assertiveness (prev. Authority)
- Tendency to speak up and express opinions openly and forcefully.
- Think of verbal dominance
- How inclined somene is to speak up, disagree, or share their opinion
- High scores – skill comes naturally and easily
- Needs – what we expect from other people (high = vocal and assertive, or low = if we expect them to be suggestive/agreeable)
- Reversal = high, low, high
Insistence (prev. Structure)
- Approach to details, structure, follow-through, and routine
- Original name choosen by Dr. Birkman
Incentives
- Drive for personal rewards or group rewards
- Low scores (usual) – group rewards
- High scores (usual) – individual scores
Restlessness (prev. Change)
- Preference to focus attention or change focus and seek varied activity
- Person’s ability and preference to focus on a task before finishing another one.
Thought
- Decision making process and concern for consequences in making the right decision
Overall – Not a bad session. I wish there was more time spent on the last 3-4 components so that I could get a better understanding of them. But the time spent on the first 1/2 of the components was really good. I haven’t had a chance to flip through the Components Atlas but the fact that they redid it was good.
Matthew Evins 