With changes in the accounting world, employee retention is crucial. Communication is significant in your workplace, especially with the advent of remote work. When creating workplace changes, it is important to understand personality style and answer important questions such as:
- How can we still communicate well with our employees and clients, especially in the situation of the remote workplace?
- How do we work together and communicate positively with employees with differing personalities?
Often, as CPAs, we don’t consider or think about different personality styles. To further expand on this concept, I met with Devora Zack, author of her book, The Cactus and The Snowflake. In my podcast, Devora enlightened me on the personality styles of cactus and snowflake. Through my discussion, I identified as a cactus as do m ost CPAs. Understanding these personality styles, affects how we communicate, manage people, and talk to our employees and clients.
So what is a cactus vs a snowflake?
According to Devora, cactus personalities are considered a thinker, lead with their head, and value logic. They are analytical, base their decisions off reason, and are direct in conversation.
Now what about snowflakes?
Snowflake personality styles are considered a feeler; they lead with their heart and value sensitivity. They are empathetic, base decisions off feelings, and consider diplomacy more important. Furthermore, it is important that we understand that this can be on a continuum and some people may be a mix. By reflecting and understanding yours and your employees’ personality style, helps with communicating and building rapport, which in turn increases productivity and morale.
Understanding personality styles allow us to communicate effectively with our employees and our clients. Being aware and accepting our own personality style helps with interacting with others. It is important to always be transparent and understand people have differing opinions and approaches. Remember to ask good questions to allow us to understand more about the other person. When we pay better attention, ask better questions, and find out how to communicate with others, it affords us a wonderful, engaging workplace culture, increased positivity, and employee retention.
To learn more regarding the importance of matching personality style, values, and core competencies, please reach out to us at recruiting.wealthability.com or call us today at 1-888-801-8944.