"I have found people to be in one of four mindsets when making decisions. These four types of decision-makers combined enable your team to cultivate new ideas, motivate people to do their best, develop procedures to get things done, measure the results of effort, and deliver to the customer. A balanced team with a blend of all four styles is a must." - Steven Gustafson, MS

This workshop module examines how individuals make decisions. Participants receive "real time" results that indicate their own decision making preference areas, whether they tend to focus on ideas (creating many answers to one problem), people (seeking to maintain group harmony), process (determining the steps needed to solve a problem), or product (seeking measurable results).

Once participants, leaders, and teammates become aware and understand their own natural tendencies and those of their team members, they can align strengths with current team goals and circumstance. The DMS instrument comes with a workbook and communication tip sheet for improved communication between the four style quadrants. Additionally, workshop attendees participate in an action planning segment with a 30 day follow-up exercise.

Half-day abridged version delivered in a 3-4 hour format. Complete version delivered in a 6-8 hour format.

Ingredients for an Effective Team
By: Steven Gustafson, MS
Success Magazine, February 23, 2001

Take Four Types of Employees, Add a Dash of Creative Management, and Mix Well to Produce an Effective Team

Many clients and business associates ask what I think works when it comes to managing teams. The simple answer is, "Whatever it takes to get the job done." While this off-the-cuff statement appears to be sarcastic, it really opens the door to a greater understanding of what needs to be done in order to receive the best out of people.

In an effort to gain such an understanding, it is easy to get lost in all the information floating around in the business world today, six habits for this, 10 steps for that, 12 techniques for the other. It can make your head swim.

I have read numerous articles on personality types, learning styles, growth cycles, and individual performance, since my firm, Experience Based Learning, Inc., is a national training organization that delivers teambuilding workshops across North America. We have provided experiential training workshops since 1996 and myself personally since 1984, serving Fortune 500 and 100 companies, universities, and individuals. I believe it is simpler to create high-powered teams than it might first appear.

First, it is important to understand some basic facts about people....

Read the complete DMS Article - Ingredients for an Effective Team