How conflicting behavioral styles can be very complementary

22 June 2015

Francis Van den Driessche

Team optimization is more than ever a popular business topic. Especially in times that hierarchical organizations are more and more becoming replaced by so called ‘holacratic’ or ‘somewhere in between’ business structures in which the power from the management hierarchy is reduced or removed and distributed across clear roles which can be executed autonomously. One of the proven key elements for creating productive teams is to join people with complementary behavioral styles: while one is attracted for defining goals/objectives, others prefer to creatively interact, go into more details or create a comfortable operational environment where employees/clients can feel happy. Such teams have all necessary elements for success…but, there is one big challenge!: people with complementary behavior skills are often not amused, can be even strongly frustrated, by some of the conflicting behavioral styles which come with the much appreciated complementary skills of their colleagues. Introverts versus extroverts, task versus people orientation, slow working versus fast, and people with other complementary behavioral styles. When style(s) have an outspoken intensity, they can collide if they are not aware that their behavioral styles can besides being complementary also be quite disturbing for others. If not anticipated in time, such “dream” teams are at risk of losing their potential. I call this “team burn-out”: the potential is present but the spirit is gone… After an intuitive people management career of +25 years, I discovered some years ago, a simple and most effective assessment tool which helped me and more than 150 people in our Bayard network better understand and improve our personal collaboration skills: DISC. This system gives a very understandable and complete overview on ‘why we do what we do’. It also provides easy tips and tricks to develop/align behavior styles to improve teamwork. It also contributes to personal development, reduces stress and as such also proactively contributes in avoiding (team) burn-outs. Francis Van den Driessche

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Francis Van den Driessche

Before joining The Partnership in 2008 Francis had more than 25 years’ experience in sales & general management within the IT (HW/SW) services and consulting businesses.

Until recently Francis has been responsible for contract & relationship management within Bayard. His passion has always been to ensure that our clients received an exceedingly high level of quality of service from all the Associates and Contractors that we assigned to them, and that they in-turn receive the best possible information and support from our clients to ensure a mutually successful execution of all our assignments.

Since his retirement as a Managing Partner, Francis continues to support The Partnerships’ recruitment and our Contractors & Associate assessment process.

As an expert in DISC behavior analysis, a powerful tool for improving individual behavior and team collaboration our Clients, Contractors & Associates can rely on Francis for behavior coaching and counseling utilizing the DISC analysis tools and methods.

H Harley - 20 June 2024
A very interesting blog Francis, it's given me much food for thought. there is no doubt that management structures are more under threat now than ever before. I do not see this as something negative, but as an exciting way forward:. companies with only boards of directors and everyone else in self-managing teams. One thing you know I hold very dear to me is that I do not like voting on topics, even in boards of directors. In decision making one must strive for bold decisions which everyone in the decision making process can either approve, or at least feel comfortable to give their support. Thanks for sharing.

How conflicting behavioral styles can be very complementary

Francis Van den Driessche

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