The Power of Personality Recognition in Teams – Why the 'Wayz to Lead' Assessment Changes Everything
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 23
Dr. Kristine Medyanik is a dynamic leadership development facilitator in classrooms, corportate environments and conferneces. She uses humor and stories to make concepts come to life and leaves audiences with tangible tools to positively impact their own leadership practice both professionally and personally.
Ever wonder why one teammate craves structure and detailed plans while another thrives on last-minute inspiration and spontaneous action? Or why one person’s blunt “just being honest” feedback feels like a direct and helpful truth, yet to another, it lands with an “ouch” and creates a defensive reaction? These moments aren't merely random personality clashes or minor communication hiccups; they are profound opportunities for understanding the diverse ways individuals approach their work and interactions.
The Wayz to Lead assessment offers a powerful framework to help teams uncover the fundamental "why" behind how people naturally communicate, collaborate, and lead. It’s designed to be simple to understand, relatable in its insights, and surprisingly accurate in its portrayal of individual and team dynamics. By clearly identifying whether you primarily operate as a My Way, Nice Way, Fun Way, or Right Way leader, you gain invaluable self-awareness, but more importantly, you gain an understanding of others' communication needs. This understanding is not just about personal growth; it's about learning not only how to work better as an individual, optimizing your own contributions and preferred methods, but, crucially, how to work better together as a cohesive and high-performing team. It unlocks the secrets to leveraging each other's strengths, navigating differences with empathy, and building a more effective and harmonious collaborative environment.
My way: The driver
Confident, decisive, and independent, My Way leaders like to make things happen. They’re vision-driven, assertive, and thrive on efficiency and results.
Communication tips:
Be direct and concise, get to the point and respect their time.
Frame feedback around outcomes and impact rather than emotion.
Supervisory tips:
Give them autonomy with clear expectations, they’ll rise to the challenge.
Offer opportunities for leadership and decision-making; they like to be in control of their success.
Nice way: The nurturer
Kind, thoughtful, and loyal, Nice Way leaders value relationships above all. They bring harmony, empathy, and connection to the team.
Communication tips:
Lead with warmth and appreciation, they need to feel valued.
Avoid harsh or abrupt feedback; use a gentle and supportive tone.
Supervisory tips:
Offer reassurance during change, they prefer stability and clear expectations.
Encourage boundary-setting so their caring nature doesn’t lead to burnout.
Fun way: The enthusiast
Energetic, optimistic, and spontaneous, Fun Way leaders bring creativity and excitement to the workplace. They love people, ideas, and possibilities.
Communication tips:
Keep it upbeat and collaborative, they respond to enthusiasm.
Avoid micromanaging or too many details; focus on the big picture.
Supervisory tips:
Recognize their contributions publicly, they love positive energy.
Provide variety and flexibility to keep their engagement high.
Right way: The analyzer
Detail-oriented, consistent, and dependable, Right Way leaders bring structure and quality to everything they do. They ensure things get done correctly, not just quickly.
Communication tips:
Be specific and factual, clarity builds their trust.
Give them time to process before expecting a decision.
Supervisory tips:
Respect their need for order and process; don’t surprise them with last-minute changes.
Offer detailed feedback and recognize accuracy, they take pride in precision.
Why doing personality work as a team matters: Unlocking collective potential
When teams embark on the journey of understanding their individual Way to Lead together, a profound and transformative shift occurs. What once appeared as frustrating differences, those quirks and working styles that could lead to friction, suddenly emerge as invaluable strengths that beautifully complement and balance one another. This collective self-awareness is not merely an interesting exercise; it's a strategic investment in the team's health and effectiveness.
Each "Way to Lead" brings a distinct and essential contribution:
The Fun Way injects vital energy and enthusiasm into projects and daily interactions. These individuals often excel at fostering a positive atmosphere, inspiring creativity, and ensuring that the team remains engaged and motivated, even through challenging times. Their ability to see the lighter side and celebrate successes keeps morale high.
The Right Way ensures meticulous quality, adherence to standards, and thoughtful consideration of details. These team members are often the guardians of precision, accuracy, and best practices. They bring a critical eye, ensuring that work is thoroughly reviewed, well-structured, and meets high benchmarks, preventing costly errors and rework.
The My Way champions progress, innovation, and decisive action. These individuals are often the driving force behind getting things done, pushing boundaries, and overcoming obstacles. They bring a sense of urgency and determination, ensuring that initiatives move forward and that the team remains focused on achieving its objectives.
The Nice Way fosters deep connection, empathy, and harmonious relationships within the team. These members are often the glue that holds the team together, ensuring that everyone feels heard, valued, and supported. They excel at mediating conflicts, building consensus, and creating an inclusive environment where collaboration thrives.
By recognizing and appreciating these diverse approaches, teams move beyond surface-level interactions. They begin to communicate more clearly, as they understand the underlying motivations and perspectives of their colleagues. Collaboration becomes significantly more effective because members can intentionally leverage each other's strengths, assigning tasks and responsibilities in a way that maximizes individual talents and collective output. Most importantly, there's a deep-seated respect for what each person genuinely brings to the table, acknowledging that every "Way to Lead" is indispensable for comprehensive success.
This isn't just about personality awareness; it's about dynamic team alignment in action. It's the conscious cultivation of an environment where individual differences are not just tolerated but celebrated as the very foundation of a robust, resilient, and high-performing collective. When a team understands and embraces its varied internal dynamics, it unlocks its full potential, transforming challenges into opportunities and good performance into exceptional achievement.
Ready to discover your Way to Lead?
Take the free personality quiz here or bring your whole team together for a virtual personality workshop for only $275! Schedule your session today, book a workshop. Order your Wayz to Lead “UnCourse” on Amazon! What’s an UnCourse?
When you understand the Wayz to Lead, you don’t just lead better, you connect better, build better, and succeed together.
Read more from Dr. Kristine Medyanik
Dr. Kristine Medyanik, Dynamic Educator, Facilitator, and Leadership Strategist
Dr. Kristine Medyanik is a dynamic leadership development facilitator in classrooms, corportate environments and conferneces. She uses humor and stories to make concepts come to life and leaves audiences with tangible tools to positively impact their own leadership practice both professionally and personally.
