The Generalist

Overview:
The Generalist is a results-oriented manager who recognizes that it takes people to make things happen. She is approachable and works to keep her team on board. Confident and influential, she is at home in fast-paced environments where she has plenty of autonomy.

She is not as comfortable in less-entrepreneurial environments or where a more cautious, analytical approach to decision-making is required.

Motivating:
The Generalist's combination of self-confidence and enthusiasm makes her a tremendously motivating manager who is attuned to the needs of her staff. She is good at selling the vision, getting the team to share her sense of urgency and push themselves toward common goals.

She is a strong proponent of positive feedback, to the point of flattery at times. Although she recognizes the need for constructive criticism, in her desire to remain upbeat, she may postpone it until it is long overdue.

Delegating:
The Generalist will delegate tasks freely and will usually seek buy-in from the person to whom she is delegating, if the situation warrants it. She has a high level of trust in individuals and gives them the personal freedom to choose how they're going to get things done.

At times her confidence in her own abilities may result in unrealistic expectations of her staff, and her neglect of the particulars can translate into ambiguity in the minds of her more detail-oriented team members. Her tendency to leave things to the last moment may create chaos in the workplace.

Decision Making:
The Generalist is a decisive person who is aware of the people impact of her decisions. As a result, she will often consult the team to obtain their input prior to making a decision. However, the Generalist who is much more Dominant than Sociable may see the exercise as an opportunity to convince the team of her approach, rather than significantly change her plans. On the other hand, the Generalist who is much more Sociable then Dominant may try too hard to accommodate the needs of others.

Her high sense of urgency and desire for constant change leads to enthusiasm for new approaches, ideas or projects. As a result, she may neglect on-going projects, potentially leading her staff to the perception of a flavor-of-the-month management style. Similarly, she will prefer to spend her time putting out (or starting) fires and avoiding more mundane duties like planning and administration.

Dealing with Conflict:
The Generalist will approach conflict and difficult issues head-on, before they have a chance to become serious problems. She is not afraid of being challenged but will be sure to balance her natural assertiveness with empathy, seeking a win-win resolution.

Occasionally, she may get bogged down in the emotional side of the issues, which could distract her from making an objective decision. Additionally, her enthusiasm and desire to get things resolved quickly may result in the presentation of a solution before she fully understands the problem.

Developmental Recommendations:
To augment her drive and enthusiasm for new initiatives with a stronger approach to implementation, she would be well-served by courses in...