Exploring the StrengthsFinder Theme of Harmony
Do you know people who seem to always know what a team has in common? Have you met people that are calm in conflict and know just what to say to diffuse the tension in a group…or a family? Have a you met a very confrontational person who seems to always be stirring up conflict—but his real motive is to bring back peace and order? Do you know the people who innately know what pieces need to come together, or what notes need to be played to have the best result? The best sound? These people may have the strength of Harmony.
Definition of Harmony
People with the strength of Harmony look for areas of agreement, and are particularly aware of conflict and dissonance. People with Harmony can see how people can come together or find agreement even when, especially when, they are in conflict. This drives people with Harmony to seek peace, common ground and cooperation.
Some people believe that very little is accomplished through conflict, sometimes they find themselves seeking peace and stability, even if it means not speaking up or modifying their desires so as to not introduce unnecessary conflict. When there is a sense of discord, people with Harmony seek a common chord. Think of a chord in music. A chord is different notes being played together or in sequence to create a sound that no one note can create by itself. Harmony is not just a strength, it is a value. Even when there is conflict they can see something in common that can bring people together.
3 Types of Harmony
The strength of Harmony responds to the presence of conflict, in many different ways. No matter what the response, Harmony is seeking to remove the conflict. We have found that there are several different types of Harmony. Three common type of harmony are:
- “Run and hide” Harmony – when conflict arises, this person will remove themselves from conflict until it is gone. Because they have such a strong need to not be around conflict, when it does arise, they simply disappear.
- “Stand in the middle” Harmony – this type of Harmony steps into the circle of conflict and urges people to get along. They themselves may not have an answer or solution to the conflict, but they find themselves right in the midst of it trying to mediate peace through the removal of the conflict.
- “Stir up the Conflict” Harmony. People with this type of Harmony believe that the best way to eradicate conflict is to stir it up, put all the issues on the table and let people be heard. Then, plans and decisions can be made to move back into balance or order or relational calm.
What Makes Harmony Generative
The generative nature of Harmony occurs when conflict is named, addressed and solved. There is also a unique life that comes when a person with Harmony can interact with people to find ways and means of consensus…consensus that perhaps seemed impossible. People with the strength of Harmony can see patterns of agreement and have the motivation and drive to draw people coming together in discord, even if others are blind to it.
Behavior Examples of Harmony
During team meetings, a team leader started to tune into the body language of a man that had Harmony. When good banter crossed a line into unproductive conflict, the team member with Harmony would physically turn his body away from the group and seemingly disengage sometimes checking his phone discreetly under the table. This was a sign to the leader to bring resolve or change topics.
One woman with stir it up harmony reports the number of “care-frontations she has with colleagues and family. She brings peace through showing care, pushing through conflict and promoting an honest and open way of life.
Your Harmony
Do you resonate with any of these descriptions of Harmony? Depending on your other 4 themes, it will look very different. What type of Harmony do you have?
