I have an inherent dislike of psychometric testing in training, so it might surprise you when I say that one of my favourite sessions at our recent Discovery Day was the introduction of the TetraMap profiling tool by Nicki Davey.
Before I get back to TetraMap, let me explain why I dislike psychometric testing as a training tool. Do you have that Virgo friend who snatches the cup away before you finished drinking in order to wash it up, who’s fastidious tidiness is frankly annoying? Or that Scorpio who reacts to the slightest provocation, or the Libra who spends so long weighing up options, they can never make a decision?
Although most psychometric tests have more scientific credibility than astrology, the results can be the same. When we put people in boxes, it excuses and therefore reinforces their existing behaviours. I’m annoyingly tidy because I’m a Virgo. (Except, I am a Virgo, but because I’m also a non-conformist, most of the time my desk looks like a bombsite!)
Early in my L&D career, when I was working within a large organisation improving Creativity and Innovation skills, I was asked to start with psychometric tests so people would know if they were creative. I steadfastly refused. I did so on the basis that if I told someone they weren’t creative, that wasn’t going to help me develop their creativity and innovation skills; skills that they presumably agreed could be developed, as I was there. Luckily, I won the argument, and I used the opening hours of my course instead to illustrate that, despite long-held beliefs, EVERYONE can be creative.
In short, putting people in a steel box seems to me a very unlikely way to broaden their horizons.
But TetraMap is delightfully different. It’s different because it acknowledges that we have behaviours that are more natural to us, whilst highlighting the need for diversity of approach both in ourselves and in our teams. It highlights our preferences and shows us those areas wecan develop. And it shows us where other people in the team can help us in those areas we might find difficult. It can also show us why we might find some people’s behavioural preferences really annoying and help us understand our team’s dynamics.
Beyond that, TetraMap has really valuable practical application too. It can help us: - Solve problems and challenges, using a similar, but much more accessible and (iny view) valuable approach to Edward de Bono’s Thinking Hats.
- Build and maintain effective teams.
- Make effective plans and build successful strategies.
- Become better, more intuitive leaders.
And much more.
Would you be interested in learning more and becoming accredited to use TetraMap in your own organisations? We’re thinking of running a certification course (with a discount for our members) if there is sufficient interest. If this appeals to you, please let me know by responding to this email.
|