"People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. The have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation." - Gallup CliftonStrengths Themes Quick Reference Guide
Burnout Concerns
Those with Analytical talents are great at using data to assessing patterns - particularly patterns of action or patterns that inform action. They want to approach situations logically. Yet, when dramatic change occurs (like our current COVID-19 pandemic) frustration and burnout can build because,
The pace of business is moving so fast. Team members with Analytical talents often prefer time to gather enough time-elapsed data to evaluate patterns and make informed decisions. Without time, they are likely to feel rushed to gather enough data or feel frustrated with needing to make potentially ill-informed snap decisions.
There is uncertainty about which outcomes are most important. A rapidly changing world brings with it changing priorities. Rapid changes in priorities can exacerbate feelings of not being able to analyze the “right problem” to get to the desired outcome. For example, if your desired outcome is to achieve revenue goals, then what's the "right problem" to solve:
How to get everyone back to the office?
Ensure the safety and well-being of all employees?
How to be of optimal service to your customers?
They are trying to evaluate too much external data. Particularly right now, everyone is trying to be helpful by putting all manner of new material - from health impact data to work place policy guidance - across whitepapers, webinars, blog posts, and even newspaper op-eds. This data can often highlight conflicting data and factors that can make it more difficult for those with Analytical talents to "cut to the chase."
Addressing Burnout
To make the environment more conducive to your team members with Analytical talents, consider,
Moving to more internal transparency. Share as much information as possible as quickly as possible. By providing as much information as soon as possible, you'll improve the chances that those with Analytical talents will find relevant patterns early enough that you and your team can take appropriate and informed action.
If they haven’t already, helping them select a “short list” of trusted external data sources that they, and the team, trust to inform decision making. By minimizing the time searching for the right data, you expand the amount of time they can spend identifying and recommending meaningful actions.
Be clear about which outcome is primary, and which ones are secondary. Doing so will help your Analytical talented team members focus their factor analysis on the right priorities.
As with coaching any individual, their combined set of talent themes will effect how their Analytical talents show up, and how to best manage them. If nothing else, when you check in with them be sure to ask:
What patterns or truths are you seeing that we
should be paying attention to?
.and/or
What data or information do you need to
help us make better decisions?
Photo by Stephen Dawson on Unsplash
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