Always seeking areas for agreement
The particular brilliance of the Harmony theme is its natural practicality and preference for emotional balance.
You look for areas of agreement. In your view, there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, so you seek to hold these to a minimum. When you know that the people around you hold differing views, you try to find the common ground. You try to steer them away from confrontation[1] and toward harmony. In fact, harmony is one of your guiding values. You can’t quite believe how much time is wasted by people trying to impose their views on others. Wouldn’t we all be more productive if we kept our opinions in check and instead looked for consensus and support? You believe we would, and you live by that belief.
Action steps[2] to follow when you have Harmony can be invaluable.
When others are sounding off about their goals, their claims and their fervently held opinions, you hold your peace. When others strike out in a direction, you will, in the service of harmony, willingly modify your own objectives to merge with theirs (as long as their basic values do not clash with yours). When others start to argue about their pet theory or concept, you steer clear of the debate, preferring to talk about practical, down-to-earth matters on which you can all agree. In your view, we are all in the same boat, and we need this boat to get where we are going. It is a good boat. There is no need to rock it just to show that you can.
You help people buy in to collaboration. Harmony is a theme that will help you mediate and help you help others be heard.
As a leader, you have your own opinion and voice, and you will get those heard by collaborating with other people. A couple of good questions to ask[3] as a leader with Harmony.
Having a person on your team with Harmony can be powerful to the team. Important keys here[4].
[1]:
In reducing friction, people especially talented in the Harmony theme can enhance collaboration. They avert many contentious interactions before they start and quickly help others find a resolution.
[2]:
Action Items
• In discussions, look for the practical side of things. Help others see this practical side. It is the starting point of agreement.
• Use your Harmony strength to build a network of people with differing perspectives on whom you can rely when you need expertise. Your openness to these differing perspectives will help you learn.
• Accept the responsibilities of being a good team member. Your willingness to adjust and your tolerance for differing views can become significant strengths.
• When two people are arguing, ask others in the group to share their thoughts. By increasing the number of voices in the conversation, you are more likely to find areas where all parties can agree. You can draw people together.
• Avoid roles that will lead you to confront people on a daily basis. Sales roles based upon “cold calls,” or roles within highly competitive workplaces, for example, will frustrate or upset you.
• Practice your techniques for resolving conflict without confrontation. Without these polished techniques you might find yourself simply running away from conflicts, leaving them unresolved. This could lead you to passive/aggressive behavior.
• Partner with someone with a strong Command or Activator theme. This person can help you confront the conflict head-on, when all your best efforts to resolve it have met with no success.
[3]:
What style of collaboration do you have?
Do you find your best way forward after you’ve a group meeting or from one-on-one meetings?
Are there situations or relationships in which consensus is more clear to you?
And how can you spend more time in that area?
[4]:
How to Manage a Person Especially Talented in the Harmony® Theme
As far as possible steer this person away from conflict. Do not include him in meetings where there will almost certainly be conflict because he is not at his best when confronting others.
Determine in what ways you agree with him and regularly review these agreements with him. Surround him with other people strong in Harmony. He will always be more focused, more productive, and more creative when he knows that he is supported.
Don’t waste your time discussing controversial subjects with this person. He will not enjoy the debate for its own sake. Instead, keep your discussions focused on practical matters where clear action can be taken.
Don’t always expect him to disagree with you even when you are wrong. For the sake of Harmony he may nod his head despite judging your idea a poor one. Consequently, you may need other people who instinctively voice their opinions to help keep your thinking clear.
Sometimes when others are locked in disagreement, he can unlock them. He will not necessarily resolve the subject under debate, but he will help them find other areas where they do agree. These areas of common ground can be the starting point for working productively together again.
He wants to feel sure about what he is doing. Help him find authoritative backup (expert opinion) for the actions he takes.
Theme Thursday Podcast brings thought leaders to deep dive on each StrengthsFinder theme.
The time invested is worth it - learn about Harmony with a leader lens.
BALCONIES
When Harmony is soaring...
Negotiator
Can see both sides of a situation
Great at asking questions
Able to arrive at consensus
Great facilitator
As a leader with Harmony, you provide peace and calm for others. And not just as a means to an end, but as a way of leading.
“Peace is not nearly a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
BASEMENTS
When Harmony is on over-drive...
Perceived as weak
Indecisive
Non-confrontational
Avoids conflict
A leader with Harmony...
Builds trust by showing others that you have their best interests in mind. Bringing the team together and illustrate how seeing the common areas will bring the group success quicker with larger outcomes.
Shows compassion by listening and showing people that you understand their perspective and what they are going through.
Shows stability by anticipating when people need your support and showing up before they ask. Help them see other's perspectives so they understand others long for their success.
Inspires hope by bringing people together when they need it. Work together to see how the pieces, parts and people need to work through aligned.
