I Can't Work With You, But I Need To

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This talk was given at the 2013 Information Architecture Summit. As user experience designers we work with a variety of different people, everyone from engineers to executives­­—not to mention the end users themselves. Successful team collaboration and empathy for the users are key to designing a superior user experience, but how do you do this when you are working with a myriad of different personality types? Can you keep personality conflicts from negatively impacting your work? This session will focus on identifying different personality types and learning how to communicate and work better with them. You will walk away with tips on collaborating more effectively with team members, selling UX to executives more successfully, and connecting more easily with end users when conducting research. Some of the most well-known people in our industry have agreed to take a personality test just for this session. Come find out who they [really] are by putting your new skills to the test!

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I Can’t Work With You, But I Need To.

Kyle Soucy | @kylesoucywww.UsableInterface.com

Photo credit: http://fogsmoviereviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/office_space_peter.png #PersonalityTypes

Most people have significantly

different behavioral styles

Why is this important?

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

It’s reflected in our work.

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Are you responsible for this?

“To sell UX research to people, one must first know them very well.”

- Tomer Sharon

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Understanding

Yourself and Others

People come in types

Analytical Driver

Amiable Expressive

“Thought person” “Action person”

“Front person”“People person”

Peter Drucker

Isn’t that stereotyping?

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ2KbKL7G-s/TcPXnC-AlRI/AAAAAAAAFL4/7JQCHJQssdQ/s1600/woody-allen-2.jpg

Analyticals tend to be:

✓ Perfectionistic

✓ Systematic and well organized

✓ Data junkies

✓ Introverts

✓ Emotionally reserved

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ2KbKL7G-s/TcPXnC-AlRI/AAAAAAAAFL4/7JQCHJQssdQ/s1600/woody-allen-2.jpg

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Donald_Trump_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg

Drivers tend to be:

✓ Fast-paced

✓ Decisive

✓ Highly-independent

✓ Task-oriented

✓ Get-it-done people

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Donald_Trump_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://dontstepinthepoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Mr-Rogers-a_jpg.jpg

Amiables tend to be:

✓ People-oriented

✓ Sensitive

✓ Conflict/confrontation avoiders

✓ Cautious

✓ Embarrassed by recognition

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://dontstepinthepoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Mr-Rogers-a_jpg.jpg

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Photo credit: http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/32000000/Robin-Williams-robin-williams-32089746-2798-3917.jpg

Expressives tend to be:

✓ Outgoing

✓ Energetic

✓ Impulsive

✓ Visionaries

✓ Extroverted

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

What’s your type?

Get feedback from others

Co-workers know you best

You’re perfect! (I raised you)

Not your mother...

Identifying people’s type

Ask yourself two key questions...

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

How assertive are they?

How responsive are they?

Assertives(Drivers & Expressives)

Talk more, faster, & louder. Gesture more & demonstrate

more energy

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Responsives(Amiables & Expressives)

Use more facial animation & more vocal inflection.

Show more emotion

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Less assertiveLess responsive

Analytical Driver

Amiable Expressive

“Thought person” “Action person”

“Front person”“People person”

More assertiveLess responsive

Less assertiveMore responsive

More assertiveMore responsive

Communicate Better

With Different Types

The Myth ofIncompatibility

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

The problem isinflexibility

“You can only change your half of a relationship.”

- Robert & Dorthy Bolton

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Flexing Your Type

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Select only 2-3 behaviors to

temporarily change

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

This is not conformity

Why, yes. I love Michael Bolton’s music.

Mimic the other person’s type

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

For analyticals you can try to:

✓ Give clear expectations/deadlines

✓ Give details

✓ Be precise and focused

✓ Be tactful and reserved

✓ Honor precedents

Source: https://www.manager-tools.com/docs/BeEffectiveWithDISC.pdf

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

For drivers you can try to:

✓ Communicate briefly; to the point

✓ Respect their need for autonomy

✓ Let them take the lead

✓ Show independence

✓ Stick to the topic

Source: https://www.manager-tools.com/docs/BeEffectiveWithDISC.pdf

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

For amiables you can try to:

✓ Approach in a friendly informal manner

✓ Use sincere appreciation

✓ Provide recognition in private

✓ Let them go slow into change

✓ Listen more than talk

Source: https://www.manager-tools.com/docs/BeEffectiveWithDISC.pdf

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

For expressives you can try to:

✓ Be relaxed and sociable

✓ Give them public recognition

✓ Use humor

✓ Let them tell you how they feel

✓ Keep the conversation light

Source: https://www.manager-tools.com/docs/BeEffectiveWithDISC.pdf

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

Make Differences Work For You

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

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I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people... What the hell is wrong

with you people?!?

Learn more...

- People Styles At Work And Beyondby Robert Bolton & Dorthy Grover Bolton

- It’s Our Research: Getting Stakeholder Buy-in for User Experience Research by Tomer Sharon

- 27 Powers of Persuasion by Chris St. Hilaire

@kylesoucy | #PersonalityTypes

www.usableinterface.com

@kylesoucy

Thank you.

/usableinterface