A few years ago, Jeff Titus began using personality profiles for all new hires and existing employees to help staff communicate better. At the same time, to help employees understand why the company was doing this, Titus, owner of the 12-employee Titus Built in Wilton, Conn., says, “I thought it would be good for them to evaluate [my personality].”
Titus had his production and office managers, lead designer, and estimator anonymously jot down Titus' strengths and weaknesses. According to the team, his strengths included being detail-oriented, knowledgeable about the industry, smart, driven, funny, focused in multiple situations, fair-minded, demanding, achievement-oriented, and hardworking. Perceived weaknesses included being impatient, controlling, moody, overbearing, a little too businesslike, and having high expectations but being slow to praise.
Titus wasn't surprised at the comments, and although some of the negatives were difficult to take, the staff had written, “After all is said and done, we love you,” to ease the sting. The “slow to praise” comment bothered him most, he says. “In my mind I was appreciating the work that's been done, but I guess I wasn't showing it.” Now he's more conscious of this. “I vocalize when something good happens, and I go to that person.” He also tries to slow down and make time for socializing.
So as not to offend anyone, Titus discusses the individual profiles with each employee, and, he says, “We periodically joke about different personality types to make light of our differences.” He says that the process can be “emotional and painful,” but adds that he has seen changes throughout the company as people discuss how to better communicate with each other and figure out what drives each of them. “We're working together better as a team and appreciating one another's strengths.”