There’s a good chance that you haven’t heard of Talent Dynamics testing. Reading it on the title of this blog may have given you some idea as to what it means, but we won’t leave you wondering.
Talent Dynamics is a personality testing algorithm developed to help people in business better understand where their natural talents and weaknesses lie. In essence it seeks to aid businesses with what they refer to as “flow”. Flow can be considered the path of least resistance.
In short, it is designed to help people understand where they add the most value and get the most done.
It helps stop businesses trying to force square pegs into round holes and wondering why the results are less than optimal. It can also help management teams better understand their own dynamics, which employees are best utilised where and (most importantly of all) where their shortcomings or areas of weakness lie.
How does Talent Dynamics help?
If you imagine a person who works for your company. They have been placed into a role that they appear to be struggling with. You have no issue with their work ethic or any element of how they behave at work. But results are not being achieved.
Typically, the response is to eventually move that person on. Sometimes this is after lots of training, mentoring etc, but invariably the end result remains the same.
But what it if you conducted a talent dynamics profile of that person and discovered where and how they would best excel within your organisation? Or, better still, what if you found out that a simple change in their working pattern or process would suddenly align far better with their talents?
The result invariably tends to be an improved efficiency, understanding and therefore results.
Now imagine yourself.
You, as the leader of your business or department, often find yourself attempting to take on numerous roles, wear multiple hats and do a bit of everything. Now imagine that you see the results of your talent dynamics test and realise how much of your time you are spending working on things you really have difficulty with and hardly any on the things you naturally excel at.
All of a sudden you are presented with the clear detail about where you will add most value to your company.
Yes, you’re still likely to have to do some of the other stuff, but by knowing where you really excel and where your efforts will provide the most return for investment you can drastically alter the results you’re achieving.
What are the talent dynamic profile types?
There are eight profile types and each of these fit somewhere on the spectrum shown here.
As you can see there are four central quadrants and an introverted and extroverted side to the chart.
Each of the four quadrants; Dynamo, Blaze, Steel and Tempo overlap a few of the prime personalities as there are of course elements to each.
Your actual profile results may overlap a few segments of the chart, but there is often a clear lean to one of the prime personality types.
The Four Frequencies
Dynamo
People how land in this area need significance and freedom. They need to feel that there is both opportunity for them to grow and achieve independence and the opportunity to individually shine.
Blaze
These are the most extroverted, they need variety, interaction, and flexibility. If you put them in offices in front of spreadsheets with fixed processes to follow their flame will quickly go out.
Steel
These are the exact opposite to the blaze quadrant. They need certainty, routine, and predictability. They like systems, processes and definitive rules and guidelines to follow. Send them out to schmoose and they are well outside their comfort zone straight away.
Tempo
Tempos are similar to dynamos; except they are much more connected to people and prefer more methodical and grounded approaches. If things are moving too fast and connections are becoming strained, they will naturally want to slow things down. They do not require the same independence as dynamos.
The Eight Personality Types
Creator
Creators are the best initiators and although they can be quick to create chaos, they can also be surprisingly innovative at finding ways out of chaos. Always put them in charge of new projects but move them on to the next creation once their job is done.
Creators are high Dynamo frequency. They naturally create value through innovation. When in flow they are trusted most for their innovation and initiative and least for their sense of timing and being present for others.
Depending on whether they have more Blaze or Steel frequency, they will most naturally leverage through magnifying or multiplying their value.
Star
Stars are the best promoters, but need to lead from the front. Give them the chance to shine and give them the space to deliver results without tying them down. Give them the systems and support to enable them to focus on building new business.
Stars are high Dynamo and Blaze frequency. They naturally create value through improvisation and leverage it through two-way communication.
When in flow they are trusted most for their innovation and initiative and their communication and shared respect with others. They are trusted least for their sense of timing, being present for day-to-day activities, their calculation and discipline.
Supporter
Supporters are the best leaders, but don’t expect them to come up with the plan. Build a plan and set the goals with a Supporter and then let them lead the team towards the plan. Let them set their own management style and their own agenda.
Supporters are high Blaze frequency. They naturally leverage through magnifying results through relationships. When in flow, they are trusted most for their communication and respect in the team.
They are trusted least for their calculation and discipline in financials and data. Depending on whether they have more Dynamo or Tempo frequency, they will most naturally create value through innovation or service.
Deal Maker
Deal Makers are the best peacemakers and will leave everyone feeling good.
Don’t expect them to go out cold calling, as they thrive on building the relationships they have. Work with Deal Makers to nurture the customer and relationships you have. Deal Makers are high Blaze and Tempo frequency.
They naturally create value through timing and leverage it through one-to-one communication.
When in flow they are trusted most for their sense of timing, sensitivity, communication and shared respect with others. They are trusted least for their innovation, strategic initiative, their calculation and financial discipline.
Trader
Traders are your best negotiators. They will always know what systems and which people will best provide the service and support to consolidate a satisfied and loyal customer relationship. They work best when given clear parameters to work within.
Traders are the mirror opposite of Creators. They have high Tempo frequency. They naturally create value through timing. When in flow they are trusted most for their sense of timing and being present for others.
They are least trusted for their innovation and strategic initiative. Depending on whether they have more Blaze or Steel frequency, they will most naturally leverage through magnifying or multiplying their value.
Accumulator
Accumulators are your best ambassadors. They are reliable, get things done on time and are not prone to making rash decisions. Accumulators make the best project managers, when a specific task needs to be delivered reliably.
Accumulators are the mirror opposite of Stars. They have high Tempo and Steel frequency. They naturally create value through timing and leverage it through replicable systems.
When in flow they are trusted most for their sense of timing, sensitivity and their calculation and discipline. They are trusted least for their innovation, strategic initiative, their improvisation and communication.
Lord
Lords are your best analysts. Give them the space to study the detail and to deliver the data. Don’t ask them to go out and network, spend time building relationships or in negotiations as they are strongest when focused behind the scenes.
Lords are the mirror opposite of Supporters. They are high Steel frequency. They naturally leverage through multiplying results through systems.
When in flow they are trusted most for their calculation and discipline in financials and data. They are trusted least for their communication and respect of others in the team. Depending on whether they have more Dynamo or Tempo frequency, they will most naturally create value through innovation or service.
Mechanic
Mechanics are your best completers. They will wrap up the process and find smart ways to do it better next time. Don’t ask a mechanic to start from scratch but give them an existing process or product to improve on.
Mechanics are the mirror opposite of Deal Makers. They are high Steel and Dynamo frequency. They naturally create value through improvisation and leverage it through replicable systems.
When in flow they are trusted most for their innovation, initiative and their calculation and discipline in the details. They are trusted least for their sense of timing, being present for day-to-day activities, their communication and respect for the time and attention of others in the team.
Finding Balance and Building Functional Teams
Using the talent dynamics test you can start to better understand the make-up of your board and/or your project teams. This helps you identify where there are possible gaps in your talent pool or where you may have a lot of overlap.
Full talent dynamic test results teach you how different talent types work best together, which helps you manage them and give them the things they need to excel.
Once someone has the things that their personality type needs to feel most comfortable, they naturally begin to work better, they become more driven, more effective and more efficient.
The best teams have a good mix of all the profiles and allow each to work to their strengths, supporting each other and pulling in the same direction.
Using Talent Dynamics for your Business
If you would be interested in finding out how your business could benefit from Talent Dynamics, get in touch with us today.
Working with some of the world’s leading sales and marketing consultants, we will be able to help you discover your board’s personality types, uncover their natural flows and make better appointments. We can also get you a significantly better rate than the standard test fee on purchases of 5 or more codes.
What are you waiting for? Drop us a call on 0203 150 0565 or email info@thealtitudeagency.com
