Connecting perspectives is the pathway to building better relationships. The Birkman Method is an assessment process that measures, explores, and interprets the perspectives that exist behind the obvious. It uncovers characteristics that influence our perceptions, behaviour, and motivations in our relationships. ACME Leadership Development’s certified Birkman Consultants use this assessment during the development of teams and leaders, in career counseling, executive coaching, conflict resolution, organizational culture and building communications skills with our clients.
There are 5 dimensions that The Birkman Method measures.
1. Interests:Think of these as energizers or what you’re passionate about. This is the driver of your motivation. This is what you love doing.
2. Usual Behavior: This is you at your best! This is the person on the outside, or the ‘you’ that has evolved as a result of your life experiences. These ‘usual’ behaviors are your strengths. These characteristics come naturally to you, and you’re really good at them. Through these natural strengths, you most easily achieve success.
3. Needs: These describe the person on the inside and what you value or expect from other people or your environment. Our needs are hidden, and are often not obvious to other people, particularly if they’re very different from you strengths. It is your expectation of how relationships, social situations, and preferred environments should be governed. If met, this is your inner strength. If unmet, your needs translate into stress and unproductive behaviors.
4. Stress Behavior: This is how you react if you are not getting your needs met. This is your ineffective, non‐productive behavior. Stress is reactionary and our behavior might be somewhat out of control and out of character of our usual selves. The good news is that once we know what our needs are, we can manage our stressors.
5. Organizational Focus – The Sweet Spot of Success: The fifth dimension takes the combined traits of the first four and compares it to occupational categories and organizational elements. This section is most often used for discussions of succession planning, career development or benchmarking for hiring purposes.
Check out the video below for a 2 minute history lesson about how the founder Roger Birkman began his journey in 1950 and how it all works. You will find The Birkman Method being used in all sectors of the marketplace from small business right up to many of the Fortune 500 companies. Let The Birkman Method be a part of your competitive advantage and bring out the best in you.