The CEO of a chain of banks hired me a few years ago to fix his team. “I have a billion-dollar business with a million-dollar staff!” he said. He had a very strong (color red/dominant) personality. I spent a few weeks interviewing his team and was surprised by how competent and committed they were. And how frustrated they were with his heavy-handed leadership. Many were downright exhausted from the micro-management. He was doing more harm than good.
Thus, it would be easy to conclude strong-is-wrong, but strong is not wrong; strong is just strong. But, there are ways to improve how we process and communicate to the (strong) dominant personality.
Here are four pro tips to better communicate with dominant leaders, co-workers, or family members:
Be assertive once a week: Strength respects strength. Without “some” they will grow to lose respect for you.
Give two options: Choose two options that work for you and most likely will work for them. They will quickly pick one. Win-win.
Listen actively: It’s essential to actively listen to what the person is saying and try to understand their perspective.
Don’t take it personally: They may appear aggressive or intimidating. Try to remain objective and not overreact.
Click here for a four-minute audio message to help you navigate the strong/dominant style.
Remember, dealing masterfully with a strong personality can take time and practice. It’s essential to be patient and persistent to build a positive and productive relationship.
Are you a dominant leader? Click here for a free one-pager full of pro tips to communicate or lead better.
