The High I Manager Simple Downfall

Submitted by mauzenne on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 03:00.

This cast addresses a behavioral change for an insidious practice of High I Managers: starting well and ending poorly.

When we started this series on the most common failings of different types of bosses, we said all bosses have foibles. In our first in the series, we said the error that so many High C bosses make is being so perfectionist that no idea is ever good enough. When someone else suggests something, they immediately "try to add too much value" as Marshall Goldsmith says, by pointing something that isn't as perfect as it could be, and other ways the idea could be made better.

Alas, the direct who hears this doesn't hear, "this is good, let's make it better, because I would never suggest making improvements to a truly BAD idea". What they hear is, "this is wrong, and this is how I can make your wrongness right."

Oh, and by the way, if you're thinking to yourself, why wouldn't anyone want their idea made better, then you're likely a High C boss and you need to go listen. ;‐)

But what about a High I boss? What is their common foible? We said that many High C managers can be found in IT and technical areas. High I bosses, if you want to increase your chances of seeing one in the wild, are likely over in Sales and Marketing. (This is an overgeneralization! One of Mike and Mark's favorite managers ever is an off the charts High I working software development in the telecom space, and she knows who she is.)

The High I manager often is one step away from chaos in managing their work and their team. They don't plan, and they believe that their insights and network can solve any problem. They start work and then lose interest, and their team feels pulled in a hundred directions, and at risk of working on the wrong thing, never being sure (because of never being told which is most important).

Follow Through ‐ Stop Starting Stuff You Don't Finish
Follow Through ‐ Work The Plan and Make Sure Your Details Are RIGHT
Follow Through ‐ Report Professionally on Your Work

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Submitted by cgratny on Fri, 01/15/2010 - 19:00.

HIGH D's

Are you going to post the HIGH D's simple downfalls last?

I am enjoying the downfalls, and as a HIGH D I want to hear the one about me!

I'm sure one of the downfalls for HIGH D's is we want it done now!

Submitted by SMcM on Fri, 01/15/2010 - 20:29.

The High I podcast was

The High I podcast was brilliant!

And I agree - get on with the high D one, I can't stand this waiting!

My DiSC profile=7721.

Submitted by nmohammed on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 03:24.

I think you high D's just

I think you high D's just illustrated one foible. Your turn will come... :)

Submitted by CalKen on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 22:53.

Tip to help out "I"'s with their "ideas"

Hello everyone;

After listening to this podcast I could not help but feel that Mark was in my head listening to every little thing that I do. Although I found this painful I truly enjoyed the feedback that I got, which I truly need to keep me on the straight and narrow. This podcast has been elevated to my "work top 10 podcasts" (of which all of them are now MT podcasts) and is truly HOF for me.

I have a problem that if I have an idea my mind becomes overwhelmed by it such that I sometimes cannot sleep. An old professor of mine recommended that I keep a diary and a voice recorder next to my bed (or in my briefcase, as mine is) and when the compulsion comes out to "be creative" write it down and forget about it (or speak it in the voice recorder). If it is something that has merit I find that I am reminded in the future, where I just pull out my diary and/or my voice recorder and look at my notes. If it isn't (which, as Mark eluded to, is roughly 90 percent of my insanity) then at least it is in your book and it is not keeping your subconscious running.

I hope that this helps all of you "I" behavior types out there....

Submitted by JGMadisonW on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 16:38.

Awesomer

I haven't taken the DISC test yet, but I certainly relate to many of these High I sentiments.

Plus, Top Shelf Books put out a great comic/cartoon anthology this year called "Awesomer." So, between the book and this podcast, consider the term duly coined!

Submitted by Alexis on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 11:38.

Great podcast

I feel like I've been found out. Without taking the test I am definitely a High I.

My two business partners show all the signs of being a High D and a HIgh C.

This may go some way to explaining why we argue such a lot. I have often wondered if there is any way forward as a team running our company.

Your podcast has given me a few "brilliant ideas" to modify my own behaviour and accommodate theirs so we can work together better. Can't wait to tell them all about it.... in due course.

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