To better understand how behavior was determined for the person you have chosen, we recommend that you read about Psychological Associates’ Dimensional Model of Behavior.

Q3 Manager: Avoids/High Regard Behavior

Based upon your responses, when scored against our Dimensional Model, your manager most often exhibits an avoids/high regard style of behavior. This style of management would be positioned in the Q3 quadrant of our Dimensional Model. In our terminology, your manager is displaying Q3 behavior.

Key Characteristics of Q3 Manager Behavior

Managers displaying Q3 behavior are trying to stay on the good side of their managers. They are agreeable, eager to please. Their need for friendship, however, means they also gloss over problems, compromise too quickly, and vacillate over decisions.

See if any of these Q3 behaviors seem familiar:

• Making few demands. Pushing people is out of the question because it might “demoralize” them or create an obstacle to friendship.
• Showing poor organization. Tends to be loose and unstructured. The reason: Q3 believes the job will get done without structure if direct reports are relaxed, happy, and pleased with their jobs.
• Giving lavish praise, rare punishment. When the manager displays Q3 behavior, expect positive reinforcement through the indiscriminate use of praise and compliments. The manager will seldom dole out punishment and, in fact, will prefer not even to mention negatives‚ such as unsatisfactory performance.
• Socializing idly. The manager who enjoys chatting with direct reports about subjects not at all related to the job is demonstrating Q3 behavior.

Suggestions for Dealing with a Q3 Boss

• Allow some time for sociability.
• Use closed-end probes & brief summary statements. Go easy on open-end questions and pauses.
• Don’t manipulate. Guide, structure, and reassure.
• Help her plan, organize, implement, and follow up.
• Keep proposals and reports concise—provide minimal detail.
• Test for commitment, summarize, write down, and follow up.

Q4 Leadership: The People Skills Advantage™

What you discovered from the questionnaire is just a sample of the kind of insight you gain from Psychological Associates’ flagship workshop, Leadership Through People Skills. Click to find out more about the program.

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Although care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this questionnaire and all documents related to it, the content is of a general nature only and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Psychological Associates does not give any warranty or other assurance as to the operation, quality, or functionality of the site. The information herein is not necessarily comprehensive or complete and in no way constitutes professional or legal advice. If you need specific advice, you should always consult a suitably qualified professional.