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Understanding Your Adapted Behaviors

Masking Behavior

Different Strokes for Different Folks

We’ve all heard this proverb.  And you’re likely living it.  As you get familiar with the people you interact with the most, you learn to adjust your approach.  The more you learn, the more effective you become.

Different Strokes for Different Folks in Different Situations

But just when it seems that you have people pegged, they can surprise you.  Why?  Our behaviors and styles and the behaviors of others can be situational.  To understand how this occurs with others, you first need to understand how it might occur with you.  Read More. This InfoGraphic from our Talent Assessment Partner, TTI Success Insights offers some simply stated behavioral science to help you understand the difference between our natural behaviors / styles and our adapted behaviors

Adapted Behavior Infographic

Adapted Behavior Question Summary

  • Do you have added responsibility?
  • Has your role recently changed?
  • Why are you adapting your behavior for different situations?
  • How might adaption help with conflict at work?  At home?
  • What are the outcomes of adapting your behavior?
  • How can you return to your natural style after adapting?
  • What kind of activities re-energize you?
  • How do you feel at the end of your work day?

Your Home and Work Personas

Adapted Style Home

Shoes Off - Your Home Persona

Your Natural Style

Dress Shoes On Work Persona

Shoes On- Your Work Persona

People often adapt their natural style as they believe is needed to perform in their role at work. 

Some of us are the same person at work as we are at home.  But not all.  As we sense that our jobs require us to adapt our style, many do.  To what extent is this true for you?  How aware are of these behavior adaptations?

Adapted Behaviors and Your Masks

Are you one of those folks who has a different work persona?  Consider a few of the possibilities.

  • Are you more buttoned-down and rule abiding at the office?
  • Does your job induce a stronger sense of urgency?
  • Are you more guarded with the way you display your emotions?  Or, less?
  • Is there a really humorous side of you that your co-workers rarely experience?
Masking Behavior

Actors Beware!

If your work persona is significantly different than you natural style, here is a really important thing to learn.  During high levels of stress or fatigue, you are more likely to revert to your natural (shoes off) style.  Why?  Playing a different role uses energy.  It’s like you’re holding up a mask.  When you’re running on empty, your less able to hold up that mask.  Imagine the surprise in your co-workers who suddenly experience your mask coming off.  What surprises are in store for you when stress or fatigue sets in on your team?  How will you prepare and respond?

Acknowledgements

Info-Graphic Source:  What are adapted behaviors?  – TTI Success Insights