Behavior styles discussed at city council’s work session

A local expert says that understanding behavior styles produces more effective team members and leaders.

Jessie Baginski, Leadership Lake County president and CEO, spoke to Painesville City Council during a recent work session about recognizing and working with various behavior traits.

City Manager Monica Irelan said council and administration are striving to be as effective and professional as possible.

Baginski, who is a certified behavior styles facilitator for the Effectiveness Institute, discussed the qualities of an analyzer, persuader, controller and stabilizer.

A controller’s objective is to get results; a persuader focuses on people; a stabilizer wants to maintain harmony and an analyzer’s goal is quality, accuracy and perfection. City Manager Monica Irelan said council and administration are striving to be as effective and professional as possible.

“Every team needs all four,” she said. “Understanding these behavior styles teaches you things to do and things not to do when working with each of the styles.”

For example when working with a controller, it is recommended to ask direct clear questions and present the facts, because this behavior style needs to be in control and make fast decisions, Baginski explained.

Similarly, analyzers use facts, data, history and logic for precision and accuracy.

In contrast, persuaders are positive, intuitive, optimistic and have excellent verbal skills. Stabilizers are great at networking, accommodating and working in teams.

Council and administration took a couple of assessments to determine their

personal behavior styles.

Council concluded that the presentation and assessments were helpful in identifying their own behavior style and understanding their fellow council members.

The assessments show participants how they see themselves at work and how others may see them, she said. It is a helpful tool to increase self-awareness, which also aids in team performance.

Leadership Lake County offers numerous interactive leadership development programs in community-based settings. The private educational non-profits’ goal is to develop and engage existing and future leaders in pursuit of civic and economic excellence in Lake County and surrounding communities.