Creative Connector Pioneer Profile
Introduction
What is the 5 Voices?
Everyone Speaks. Not Everyone is heard.
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Everyone has a leadership voice, whether they know it or not. From the most quiet to the most gregarious, we all have the ability to lead others.
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The problem is most people don't know their leadership voice or how to use it. Some don't know what it is, others are insecure in their voice and have been told it is unimportant, and others immaturely overuse their voice and dominate the airwaves.
The 5 Voices is designed to help every individual discover their leadership voice and be empowered to use it effectively.
Can you imagine a team of people who were self-aware, knew how to communicate, and were able to bring their best to the table everyday? What would that do for culture? For productivity? For Profitability?
In short, a lot.
We believe teams and whole organizations can be transformed when everyone operates securely in their own voice and learns to value the voices of others.
The 5 Voices helps achieve the following objectives:
Greater Self Awareness
Learn your voice and understand what it's like to be on the other side of your leadership.
Better Alignment
Discover the sweet spots of those on your team, get better aligned, and reach higher levels of performance.
Clear Communication
Communicate what you mean without people taking it the wrong way and getting offended.
Effective Delegation
Delegate more effectively to save time and increase productivity.
Quicker Decision Making
Learn how to listen better, ask helpful questions, and make quicker decisions.
The 5 Voices Assumptions
Our "Voice" is made up of all 5 Voices
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Some voices are more natural to us than others
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Maturity allows us to value the contribution each voice brings
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Nature, Nurture, and Choice have all played a part
Don't assume you know what someone else's foundational voice is
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Don't assume you know what each word means
Your Results
Your Foundational Voice
The Creative Connector Pioneer
Creatives are the conceptual architects and love to think outside the box.
They function as an “early warning radar system” for teams, often seeing the opportunities and dangers long before everyone else.
They are never satisfied with the status quo - they inherently believe things can always be better.
If the vision is compelling the word “can’t” is not in their vocabulary.
They often struggle with the fact that "people never seem to fully understand my ideas."
They exhibit a strong social conscience and desire for personal and organizational integrity.
Being internal perfectionists, they can often fail to celebrate the 90% that has been achieved, focusing instead on the 10% that hasn’t!
Champion of
Future ideas, innovation, and organizational integrity.
What to watch out for
Creatives can struggle to communicate effectively and have idealistic, perfectionistic tendencies.
Population
You make up 9% of the global population.
How to empower them
Don't judge them on what they say first, help them communicate their ideas. Let them know it's ok to be wrong sometimes.
Your Voice Order
Creative
Your foundational Voice is Creative. The Creative Voice is the champion of future ideas, innovation, and organizational integrity, which we explained in more detail in the previous section. This is your strongest Voice through which you view the world, and the Voice through which all other Voices are expressed.
Connector
Your secondary Voice is Connector. The Connector Voice is a future-oriented Voice, and is the champion of relational networks, internal collaboration, and effective communication.
In the 5 Voices model, the secondary Voice plays a crucial role in how you express your overall “Voice”, which is why your Voice combination is referred to as “Creative Connector Pioneer”.
Your Connector Voice is highly adept at connecting people with ideas, communicating passionately with people about causes that are important to you, and at crafting a vision and team that draws the best out of everyone. With Connector as your second Voice, you are good at using the Connector Voice’s insights about people to inform your Creative vision for improving people’s lives. You also leverage the Connector’s ability to collaborate with others on developing a shared, almost utopian vision that will benefit everyone and leave the world better off. You believe the best in others and seek to draw it out of them.
The combination of these two Voices as your top two strengths means that you are extremely future-oriented and thrive on developing strong, compelling, and innovative solutions to big picture problems, especially when it makes the world a better place for others.
Pioneer
Pioneer is your tertiary Voice, sometimes referred to as your third Voice. The Pioneer Voice is the champion of strategic vision, results, and problem-solving.
In the 5 Voices model, the tertiary Voice is typically a Voice that you value and can access when it’s helpful, but might be more of a learned strength than a natural one. For you, this is a very important Voice in how you operate, which is why the combination of your Voice order is referred to as “Connector, Creative, Pioneer”.
Also, because it’s third on the list, your expression of the Pioneer Voice will be shaped through the filter of your first two Voices (the Connector and Creative). It will not be the same as a first Voice Pioneer. In fact, you tend to utilize your Pioneer Voice in specific situations to support your first two Voices.
For example, after you have used the Connector/Creative strengths of your Voice to develop a game-changing vision to benefit others and make the world a better place, you will likely tap into the strength, persuasiveness, conviction, and drive of the Pioneer Voice to help you make that vision a reality.
Nurturer
Your 4th Voice, also known as your blindspot, is Nurturer. The Nurturer Voice is the champion of people, relational harmony, and values.
In the 5 Voices model, your 4th Voice is your blindspot because it’s typically the Voice (of the 5) that you might assume you are better at than you really are. For example, you may connect with the Nurturer’s love of people and desire for relational harmony. But whereas a first Voice Nurturer thrives on caring for the immediate physical and emotional needs of another, that would likely be exhausting (and maybe a little boring) if you have to do it for an extended length of time. You also probably have more trouble than you like to admit remembering important dates of key relationships like birthdays, anniversaries, spouse or kid’s names, and the like.
Instead, Creative / Connector / Pioneers tend to express their care for people either in big gestures, in more of a “counselor” type role, or by working on big picture strategies and projects that care for people and make their lives better.
But this Voice is important, so consider scheduling reminders to help you tap into the Nurturer Voice and express it in a healthy way. For example, set calendar reminders for those key dates (especially birthdays or anniversaries) and make note of important details about people’s families (like spouse / kids’ names or favorite flowers) and other important life events so that you can ask them how they’re doing next time you see them. If you think this feels “inauthentic” then don’t - we schedule what’s important to us and these things ARE important to us, we just struggle to do them consistently.
Take time to understand the value of the Nurturer Voice and identify ways for you to step into maturing in this Voice over time.
Guardian
Your 5th Voice, also known as your Nemesis, is the Guardian. Guardians are the champions of due diligence, resources, and efficient systems and processes.
The reason we call this your nemesis Voice is because Guardians see the world in a way that is diametrically opposed from how you see the world.
This doesn’t mean that you cannot tap into the strength and values of the Guardian Voice, it just means it will typically be the most difficult Voice for you to access and appreciate.
How does this manifest in your Voice? Well, it means that the typical strengths of the Guardian - roles or tasks that involve a consistent, repetitive execution, or careful study and tedious due diligence - can wear you out quickly. In fact, those things probably feel like a “dream killing wet blanket” to your ideas because you thrive on change, innovation, and uncertainty while preferring a “gut feel” approach to decision-making.
That’s why this is likely an area of growth for you as a Creative/Connector/Pioneer. If you can learn to tap into a healthy expression of the Guardian Voice by introducing some flexible but consistent processes and criteria to help you filter your ideas and initiatives, then you’ll find your influence and effectiveness increase dramatically.
By taking time to understand how Guardians view the world as well as how they process information, and make decisions, it will help you increase your maturity and effectiveness in using this Voice.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths
Creative/Connector/Pioneers are life long learners and are always studying something new. Highly relational and deeply committed to those in their circle of care. People of integrity and humility - willing to serve the needs of the wider team in any role required of them. They make exceptional coaches and mentors, setting high standards for themselves and those they are training.
Challenges
Creative/Connector/Pioneers always question whether they know enough to be truly expert in what they do! They have strong people pleasing tendencies. As they struggle to say “no,” they can easily end up physically exhausted and feeling like they have let others down. They often struggle to verbalize their inner insights in a way others can hear and understand them.
Suggested Growth Opportunities
Scheduling time in your daily and weekly schedules for time away from people to re-energize and re-align with the big picture vision for your life. Own your people pleasing tendencies and the struggle to say “no” - build a filter system that prevents you responding instantly. Realize how much you do know and how much life and energy you get from developing and mentoring others. Own the challenge to lead and not simply settle for being a number two all your life. If you have a vision you should at least try!
Stress & Triggers
What happens under moderate stress?
You are not getting the time away to see the big picture and set course again. You are overextending yourself because you find it hard to say “no.” You become your own harshest critic and tears are not far from the surface. You start to overanalyze your engagement with other people.
What happens under extreme stress?
The future seems unclear and you are constantly critiquing yourself. You are tempted to dull the pain with retail therapy or hedonistic pleasure.
Danger Zone
The Danger Zone represents the potential we all have to hurt others with our words and actions when we are frustrated, unaware, accidental, or immature. Like weapons that can hurt others, these are harmful patterns of behavior that can be triggered by certain things that are unique to each Voice. It's important that we are aware of these things so that we can know ourselves to lead ourselves in a healthier direction. If we do not, we risk undermining ourselves, our relationships, and the team at large.
When a Creative Connector enters the Danger Zone, the damage they can do can be thought of like The Hulk who becomes upset and lashes out angrily at those around them.
• Angry
• Emotional
• Unrecognizable Transformation
• Using raw power of their emotion and convictions to heatedly confront and berate someone, especially to undermine their character
Understanding Your Triggers
There are certain things that can trigger you to step into the danger zone. It's important that you are aware of these and spot them before it's too late.
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• Values you hold dear are being ignored or trampled on
• People you feel responsible for are being treated badly
• Someone breaks a promise to you
• People question your integrity, authenticity, or effort
Getting Healthy
What does a healthy Creative Connector Pioneer look like?
They have the capacity to envision exciting future possibilities and plans, plans that allow themselves and others to fulfill their potential. They have the capacity to think deeply and enjoy exploring the big questions concerning life, faith and the universe. They have the capacity to care deeply about the relationships closest to them, they make amazingly generous friends and invest their talents for the long term.
How do they stay healthy?
They need to schedule time away from people and tasks where they can re-order their internal world and see the big picture again. They need to evaluate their use of time to make sure their day-to-day activities are aligned with the bigger vision for their life. They need to schedule creative space where they can read, study, engage with future trends, and dream about future possibilities. They need to invest time and resources deepening the key relationships of their life.
What does an unhealthy Creative Connector Pioneer look like?
When they find themselves overwhelmed in their immediate world with practicalities and details. Their perfectionist tendencies drive them to work ever harder but they become less and less productive. When they fail to schedule time for personal development and physical recreation. When they fail to schedule time for the deepest friendships in their life. When they believe the lie that they have to be perfect before they can share their knowledge with anyone else.
Liberation Statement
I need you to believe in me and my ideas, but don’t judge me on what I say first. Make sure you take the time and ask the questions to understand what I’m trying to say! Give me the space to dream and keep encouraging me to push new frontiers even if you can’t see it yet!
Connecting with Others
One of the most powerful uses of the 5 Voices is learning how to connect with others in an effective and productive way. To help you understand how to do that, take a look at the 5 Voices Dynamics tool, and learn the rules of engagement for each of the other Voices below.
[Warning: Do not assume you know what someone else's Voice is. Let them tell you what Voice they connect with before using these methods of connection]
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The 5 Voices Dynamics is a powerful tool for understanding the primary differences between each of the 5 Voices. The simple, visual way it displays these differences allows us to easily facilitate conversations about significant team dynamics like team synergies, core strengths, key differences, and potential conflicts.
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We start by defining the two axes that highlight the core functions/perspectives of each Voice.
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The horizontal axis defines how people Process Information.
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The vertical axis defines how people Make Decisions.
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The two ends of the spectrum on each axis represent the primary differences in the Voices.
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For the horizontal axis we discuss the dynamic of processing information from either a Present Oriented or Future Oriented perspective.
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Present Oriented processors are focused on what they can touch, taste, see, hear, and feel. They live in the present and immediate world of today.
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Future Oriented processors are focused on what is possible. They live in the future and more abstract world of possibilities that "could be" for tomorrow.
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For the vertical axis we discuss the dynamic of decision making from either a Systems & Logic or People & Values perspective. Those who prefer to make decisions based on Systems & Logic will prefer using logical, rational, fact-based criteria that makes strategic sense within a particular system or framework. They value the "objective truth" as more important than feelings, emotions, or relational harmony. Separating their decisions from emotions and relational considerations enables them to make hard decisions. However, without developing a high level of emotional intelligence, this can leave others with the feeling that they are cold, calculating, or impersonal.
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On the other hand, those who prefer to make decisions based on People & Values will prioritize relational harmony, impact on people, and alignment with core values. They value the health and betterment of people and relationships as the definition of success. This makes them strong champions of people and culture, but it can undermine the effectiveness of their decisions or influence with others if they don't support their position with a basis in fact and logical reasoning.
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The location of each Voice is significant in how it informs our understanding of Team Dynamics.
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Understanding that the Voices positioned opposite one another are diametrically opposed in their perspectives of how they take in information and make decisions is a key insight.
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We call them Nemesis Voices. Nemesis does not mean they must be enemies, just that these people are wired to think opposite of each other. They must watch out for conflict and be intentional to recognize the value each brings.
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In summary, these two axes represent the two most fundamental dynamics of personality that most significantly influence behavior.
Using this tool to better understand our team and ourselves will help us become stronger and more intentional resulting in higher performing teams.
Connecting with Guardians
Worldview
When connecting with Guardians, it’s important to remember that they are the champions of due diligence, resources, and efficient systems and processes. As a Creative, you are the champion of future ideas, innovation, and organizational integrity.
It is also important to note that certain types of Creatives (Creative Connectors) might find it more difficult to connect with Guardians while other Creatives (Creative Pioneers) will find it slightly easier given that they have a bit more overlap and similarity with the Guardian on their decision-making preferences.
For Creative Connectors, it is important to realize that Guardians are directly opposite of you in how they process information AND how they make decisions. For this reason, they are your “Nemesis Voice”. This doesn’t mean they have to be your enemy, it just means they see the world in a way that is diametrically opposed from how you see the world.
Neither view is better or worse than the other, they are simply different. Each Voice is valuable and brings a certain perspective and skill that the other does not have. It is crucial that you are aware of these differences as you seek to connect with Guardians.
Processing Information
Guardians are very present-oriented, which means they process information with an eye toward the present state of things, absorbing all the details of what is happening in the here and the now, especially as it relates to systems, processes, and tangible things. They prefer to move through the world in a sequential way, starting with “what is” and then moving forward one step at a time. They are highly detailed, and prefer to work with concrete information.
Creatives on the other hand are very future-oriented, which means you process information and your experiences in the world with an eye toward the future, the possibilities, and the vision for “what could be?”. You focus on the big-picture, looking for patterns behind what’s on the surface of things.
When interacting with Guardians, you may find their focus on the present, their attention to detail, and their desire to see each step laid out on the path to your vision as slowing you down, which can be frustrating. Additionally, when it comes to making changes, Guardians prefer incremental adjustments over time, and tend to avoid making drastic changes, which might also be frustrating for you. But while their step-by-step approach to understanding the world around them drastically differs from all Creatives (whether Creative Connector or Creative Pioneer), learning to appreciate this perspective can help you tremendously in your efforts to make your vision a reality.
Take time to affirm their desire for process, order, and tangible results. Pay attention to their concerns, and then invite them to build the bridge with you to the future you see.
Decision Making
When it comes to decision-making, Guardians tend to make decisions based on what seems logical, rational, objectively true, and systematically effective. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like people, but they tend to prefer separating people, emotions, and the relational impact of actions and decisions from the decision-making process.
For Creative Pioneers, you probably feel highly aligned with this style of decision-making and will find it easier to understand and communicate with Guardians from this perspective compared to other Creatives.
On the other hand, if you are a Creative Connector, then this can be a source of direct conflict because you will tend to prioritize people and relational harmony over maximizing process efficiency. It’s not that you don’t want or appreciate those efficiency (you do!), but it comes from the Creative Connector’s fundamental commitment to people as more important than profit, and the belief that an outcome that doesn’t prioritize people is inherently not the most productive result. Additionally, you might find the direct questions and possible lack of tone or tact as offensive, and harmful to relational harmony.
When interacting with Guardians, it’s important to not take questions or critique personally and to do your research. Aim to ground your opinions and work in data, research, and logical arguments in order to gain greater influence, connectivity, and respect from Guardians. If you can help Guardians see how something makes the process better AND improves people’s lives through a concrete, tangible plan of action then you’ll find them much more receptive to your perspective.
Rules of Engagement for Connecting with Guardians
• Encourage and invite Guardians to keep asking the difficult questions - it’ll save you a lot of time, money, and hassle in the end.
• Commit to staying engaged with the Guardian’s questions for as long as you can - they are the champions of due diligence and this is how they protect resources, systems, and processes.
• Affirm the Guardian’s commitment to the truth and stewardship of financial resources.
Connecting with Nurturers
Worldview
When connecting with Nurturers, it’s important to remember that they are the champions of due people, relational harmony, and values. As a Creative, you are the champion of future ideas, innovation, and organizational integrity.
It is also important to note that certain types of Creatives (Creative Pioneers) might find it more difficult to connect with Nurturers while other Creatives (Creative Connectors) will find it slightly easier given that they have a bit more overlap and similarity with the Guardian on their decision-making preferences.
For Creative Pioneers, it is important to realize that Nurturers are directly opposite of you in how they process information AND how they make decisions. For this reason, they are your “Nemesis Voice”. This doesn’t mean they have to be your enemy, it just means they see the world in a way that is diametrically opposed from how you see the world.
Neither view is better or worse than the other, they are simply different. Each Voice is valuable and brings a certain perspective and skill that the other does not have. It is crucial that you are aware of these differences as you seek to connect with Nurturers.
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Processing Information
Nurturers are very present-oriented, which means they process information with an eye toward the present state of things, absorbing all the details of what is happening in the here and the now, especially as it relates to people. They prefer to move through the world in a sequential way, starting with “what is” and then moving forward one step at a time.
Creatives on the other hand are very future-oriented, which means you process information and your experiences in the world with an eye toward the future, the possibilities, and the vision for “what could be?”. You focus on the big-picture, looking for patterns behind what’s on the surface of things.
When interacting with Nurturers, you may find their focus on the present, and their attention to detail (especially around seemingly small relational and emotional nuances) as frustrating, or inefficient. Additionally, when it comes to making changes, Nurturers prefer incremental adjustments over time, seeking to avoid any harm or disruption to people, and tending to avoid making drastic changes. This slower pace of change and the Nurturer’s desire to see each step laid out on the path to the future may feel like they either don’t get it or are trying to slow you down, which can be frustrating.
But while their step-by-step approach to understanding the world around them differs from all Creatives (whether Creative Connector or Creative Pioneer), learning to appreciate this perspective can help you tremendously in your efforts to make your vision a reality.
Take time to affirm their care for people and desire relational harmony, and then invite them to build the bridge with you to the future you see. If you can do this, and point to tangible steps for how you’ll achieve your vision while being considerate of people, then you’ll find they are much more receptive to your ideas.
Decision Making
When it comes to decision-making, Nurturers tend to make decisions based on what helps people, maintains relational harmony, and aligns with their values. It doesn’t mean that they don’t use logic or think objectively, but they tend to define success in terms of the positive impact a decision has on people. For Nurturers, it’s almost impossible to separate people, emotions and relationships from the decision-making process.
For Creative Connectors, you probably feel highly aligned with this style of decision-making and will find it easier to understand and communicate with Nurturers from this perspective compared to other Creatives.
On the other hand, if you are a Creative Pioneer, then this can be a source of direct conflict because you will tend to prioritize logical frameworks, strategic effectiveness, and objective standards over relational harmony. It’s not that you don’t appreciate people, but it comes down to the fundamental belief of the Creative Pioneer that objective truth and logical consistency are more important than people’s feelings and relationships. For the Creative Pioneer, this is ultimately how people are best served, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. This difference in how you make decisions is why Creative Pioneers may struggle to connect with Nurturers.
When interacting with Nurturers, it’s important to show them that you are considering the impact of your ideas or positions on people. If you can help Nurturers see how something makes the world better for people AND is more efficient through a concrete, tangible plan of action then you’ll find them much more receptive to your perspective.
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Rules of Engagement for Connecting with Nurturers
• Be intentional to invite the Nurturer’s opinion with sincerity and attentiveness - they represent 43% of the population, whether you like it or not.
• Be careful of critiquing the Nurturer’s idea too quickly; affirm and draw out their thoughts first.
• Affirm the Nurturer’s commitment to champion our people and defend our values.
Connecting with Pioneers
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Worldview
When connecting with Pioneers, it’s important to remember that they are the Champion of strategic vision, results-focus, and problem solving. As a Creative, there are some attributes of the Pioneer voice that align with how you view the world, with a few important differences.
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Processing Information
Like you, Pioneers are very much future-oriented and big picture thinkers. They process information and their experiences in the world with an eye toward the future, the possibilities, and the vision for “what could be?”. You will likely find an easy connection with this approach to the world and processing information as it should feel similar to you as a Creative. So spend time with Pioneers visioning the future. Discuss big picture problems and opportunities, collaborate, and invite them to help you strategize potential solutions that can help you and the team win.
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Decision Making
When it comes to decision-making, it’s important to remember the differences between the two Creative Voices.
Pioneers tend to make decisions based on what seems logical, rational, objectively true, and strategically effective. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like people, or that they don’t have deeply held values. What it does mean, however, is that they find it easier to separate people, emotions, and the relational impact of actions and decisions from the decision-making process. When push comes to shove, Pioneers tend to value objective, logical truth or strategic effectiveness over relational harmony.
For Creative Pioneers, you probably feel highly aligned with this style of decision-making and will find it easier to understand and communicate with Pioneers from this perspective compared to other Creatives.
On the other hand, Creative Connectors are more relational by nature. Creative Connectors prefer to make decisions based on relational harmony, and tend to prioritize how the decision will affect the people involved. This can be a source of direct conflict, however, because Pioneers will tend to prioritize logical frameworks, strategic effectiveness, and objective standards over relational harmony. What’s more, how they communicate these decisions and criteria can make Creative Connectors feel like the Pioneer doesn’t care about people or views others as pawns to be manipulated. This is where the greatest potential conflict and tension may come from between the Creative Connector and Pioneer. This does not mean that Creative Connectors avoid using logic when making decisions, and it does not mean that Pioneers are heartless - it simply means that their default starting point and way of making decisions are very different so their communication must be intentional with one another.
When interacting with Pioneers, Creatives should try to present their ideas using logical frameworks, data, and an objective perspective. Be concise and to the point. If you can present your ideas and the great vision you see for people with this in mind, then you will find Pioneers much more receptive to your ideas and perspective.
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Rules of Engagement for Connecting with Pioneers
• Invite other Pioneers to give their view or opinion before stating yours.
• Even though they can likely handle it, don’t assume they’re asking you to critique their ideas. Ask first.
• Be mindful of their preference for how reflective or expressive they are, as well as how adaptive or structured they are.
• Commit to giving Pioneers space and authority to pursue the objective - don’t micromanage them.
• Affirm their capacity for strategic thinking and invite them to collaborate to help the team win.
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Connecting with Connectors
Worldview
When connecting with Connectors, it’s important to remember that they are the champions of relational networks, internal collaboration, and effective communication. As a Creative, you are the champion of future ideas, innovation, and organizational integrity.
It is also important to note that certain types of Creatives (Creative Pioneers) might find it more difficult to connect with Connectors while other Creatives (Creative Connectors) will find it slightly easier given that they have more overlap and similarity with the Connector on their decision-making preferences.
Neither view is better or worse than the other, they are simply different. Each Voice is valuable and brings a certain perspective and skill that the other does not have. It is crucial that you are aware of these differences as you seek to connect with Connectors.
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Processing Information
Connectors are very future-oriented, not too dissimilar from you. The Connector loves to spend time brainstorming, discussing, and imagining a world that does not yet exist. Creatives, like you, tend to be very comfortable with abstract concepts, and easily able to grasp the big picture vision that Connectors are so passionate about. Spend time with Connectors dreaming about the future and brainstorming about ideas, possibilities, and innovation.
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Decision Making
When it comes to decision-making, Connectors tend to make decisions based on what helps people, maintains relational harmony, and aligns with their values. It doesn’t mean that they don’t use logic or think objectively, but they tend to define their vision and success in terms of the positive impact of what they are doing on people. For Connectors, it’s almost impossible to separate people, emotions and relationships from the decision-making process.
For Creative Connectors, you probably feel highly aligned with this style of decision-making and will find it easier to understand and communicate with Connectors from this perspective compared to other Creatives.
On the other hand, if you are a Creative Pioneer, then this can be a source of direct conflict because you will tend to prioritize logical frameworks, strategic effectiveness, and objective standards over relational harmony. It’s not that you don’t appreciate people, but it comes down to the fundamental belief of the Creative Pioneer that objective truth and logical consistency are more important than people’s feelings and relationships. For the Creative Pioneer, this is ultimately how people are best served, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. Creative Pioneers would tend to chase solutions to abstract, objective problems while Connectors would tend to pursue courses of action directly related to improving the wellbeing of others. This difference in how you make decisions is why Creative Pioneers may struggle to connect with Connectors.
When interacting with Connectors, it’s important to show them that you respect their opinions, their vision for people, and the relationships they are bringing to the table. If you can help Connectors see how your framework, logic, and criteria for making decisions take people into consideration AND strategically advances the organization, then you’ll find them much more receptive to your perspective and critique.
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Rules of Engagement for Connecting with Connectors
• Encourage Connectors to sell their ideas as passionately as they can.
• When Connectors share a new idea with you, don’t critique it at first. Start by celebrating, and only begin collaborating if asked. Remind them that your practical and detailed questions are not personal.
• Affirm their energy, passion, and ability to communicate in a way that connects with others.
Connecting with other Creatives
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When it comes to connecting with other Creatives, it’s important to note that just because two Creatives have the same Foundational Voice, it doesn’t mean that you will always align. Even though you process information in similar ways, certain Creative Voices may make decisions in a slightly different way when considering the Creative Connector versus the Creative Pioneer. In fact, this is likely to be the biggest point of potential conflict between Creative Voices. But, even if you are working with Creatives of the same top two Voices, misalignment is still possible. For all Creatives, integrity is a very important core value. Anything that undermines or calls into question another Creative’s integrity is likely to create conflict. Creatives tend to avoid full-blown conflicts, but in the event that one like this does arise, there is a chance that tensions could escalate into a heated exchange as their values and integrity drive a forceful or passionate response. Leverage the following rules of engagement when connecting with other Creatives to help create the best possible environment for productive collaboration and teamwork.
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Rules of Engagement for Connecting with Creatives
• Encourage Creatives to dream big, letting them know it’s okay to be wrong sometimes - no one is perfect.
• Ask clarifying questions and commit to drawing out the Creative’s thought process before critiquing their ideas. Sometimes it takes a few rounds of questioning to mine out the gold in what they are trying to communicate.
• Affirm the Creative’s commitment to integrity and the ability to see the future in a way others can’t.