As I sit here in the midst of conducting research in preparation for a presentation entitled Generational Remix, which is about understanding and appreciating generational differences, I am reminded once again of how utterly mesmerizing our Creator is. Not only in the intricate way He designed various personalities, but in the way He communicates with me, often taking unrelated readings and weaving them together in insightful ways. After spending hours yesterday without seeming to gain much traction towards polishing the generational talk, this morning, ideas converged from two extremely diverse sources; one source is describing how understanding the Ennegram can improve relationships, both personal and professional; and the other source is examining the risks associated with how technology might be overstepping from connection to surveillance. Who, other than our wonderful Creator, could blend these dissimilar topics into the mind of an Enneagram Five and the resulting information contain any logic?

Just as I hope to encourage organizations to celebrate the unique characteristics of each generation so that all generations flourish in the workplace, I likewise find a deep desire for all of us to invest time and energy in Appreciating Differences when it comes to personality styles. There exist some perceptive tools which can equip us in developing a Habit of Awareness that I find revealing, but my three current favorites are the Myers-Brigg, the Enneagram, and Languages of Appreciation. When anyone within my sphere of influence trusts me enough to share these insights, I find myself attempting to be more intentional about how I interact with them, and although I often fail and default back to my own habits, there exists a yearning to genuinely appreciate our differences.

Recently connecting with a friend after 20 years, God is reminding me that “He did make all the delicate, inner parts of [our bodies] and knit [us] together in [our] mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NLT), and the core of who He created us to be doesn’t often change. The person I respected and admired nearly a quarter of a century ago still exists, and I find myself Appreciating the Differences in our personalities just as much today as in the past. Reading Chestnut’s The 9 Types of Leadership has become a refresher course on the Enneagram, and I find myself intrigued perusing the descriptions, and when I can connect a personal friend to a particular number as I read, I find understanding and often humor in the accurateness.

Thinking back on a project at the house back in March when dad and I replaced a toilet in the guest bath, I am reminded of how important Appreciating Differences in personality can be. Considering just the three types that were located in the house during that little adventure, I wonder how we ever accomplish anything during Campers on Mission projects when many types are working alongside one another. In the plumbing adventure from March, we first encounter the Six, whose idea it was to replace the functioning piece of plumbing in the first place, and needed time to process all the possible outcomes for one approach before taking action. Then, there was me, the Five, who was contemplating all the various tactics and was researching those on YouTube while the Six remained in the bathroom debating his one method. And, finally, sitting in the kitchen, wisely avoiding any conversation between the Six and Five, was the One, who knew the perfect way to replace the toilet but wisely allowed the Six and Five to figure it out without interference. (I’m pretty sure a thought such as “I told you so” passed through her mind).

So, if you can see how Appreciating Differences among family members, who know each other pretty well and get along most of the time, can be vital to a home project, then I offer, if a home project can be improved by Appreciating Differences, how critical is it for the health of organizations to embrace and celebrate personal and generational differences? Or for an individual to consider their spiritual growth and where God might be asking them, not only to be empathetic to others, but to ask Him for direction on areas for improvement. Personally, learning about my design as a Five, provides me with an entire menu of areas needing improvement! Hopefully, those around me will embrace Appreciating Differences and use humor to communicate when I’m being too Fiveish!

Please feel free to share below ways you have witnessed others excelling at Appreciating Differences and how that approach has benefited others.

References:

Chestnut, B. (2017). The 9 types of leadership: Mastering the art of people in the 21^st century workplace. Post Hill Press.