Individualization & Inside Out

I recently took my family to see Inside Out 2. As of this blog posting, It’s Pixar’s highest grossing film ever with over a billion dollars in revenue.

Diving deep into the analytical part of my brain I can safely calculate that odds are… you’ve seen it. Or at the very least, you have an idea of the movie’s premise. So hopefully I don’t need to tell you too much about the premise or how outstanding it was.

If you’re not familiar with Inside Out 2, the movie follows Riley, now a teenager, as she deals with new emotions like Anxiety and Embarrassment. Her emotions from the first movie, like Joy and Sadness, have to navigate this new phase in her life and keep Riley on course through the complexities of adolescence.

Like all good movies, it got me thinking. Not just about puberty and youth sports (although, yikes!), but about how the movie can be used as a really good metaphor of the CliftonStrengths talent of Individualization.

What Makes a Great Team?

Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Ennui and Fear – each a distinct personality with unique strengths, are characters in Riley’s mind. They might argue (a lot!), but together they navigate Riley’s complex inner world.

Just like Riley’s emotions, a great team is a collection of talented individuals. A manager with the strength of Individualization recognizes these unique strengths. They have a gift that allows them to understand and appreciate how each person works best.

A belief that there’s just one way to function is not their jam. They’re the Sherlock Holmes of the workplace, meticulously observing their team members to understand what makes each of them go and appreciating the power of individual differences.

Here’s how the magic happens. When a manager with Individualization puts the right emotion, I mean, person, in the right place – watch out! Joy can brainstorm like nobody’s business, while Sadness might uncover a hidden customer need. Anger? Perfect for tackling a challenging negotiation. You get the picture.

Navigating your Individualization Talent

You’ll want to make it known that you need opportunities to arrange teams. As a teacher you’ll see that each person requires a unique approach, which might help draw the best out of them. You see how all the pieces fit, like a general manager of a professional sports team who doesn’t just want to address a weakness at a certain position but who wants to find the right mix of talents that contributes best to the chemistry of the entire team.

You’re keenly aware that diversity is a strength and representing different approaches to problem solving can actually make a team more efficient. Don’t take my word for it, studies have replicated this effect over and over again.

Inside Out reminds us that Individualization isn’t about creating a homogenous team. It’s about celebrating the quirks, the strengths, and the yes, even the occasional tantrums (easy now, Anger!) of each member.

By utilizing individualization, managers can build a team that’s as dynamic and effective as Riley’s crew, navigating any challenge that comes their way.