How to Increase Your Versatility

Ask a simple question like, “What should I start doing, stop doing, or continue doing to be a more effective teammate?” You might also take a more systematic approach and complete a personality assessment to gauge your strengths and weaknesses. Follow up by asking colleagues if they agree with the results. Finally, learn some new habits from people you respect. Set up a meeting with a colleague who has different strengths than you to pick their brain. Your goal is to learn to see things from their perspective, so come with an open mind. You might even ask what they are reading, how they learn, or what their day-to-day routine is. Try to adopt some elements from their approach — it just might make you a more flexible worker and versatile leader.

From hbr.org, this tip is adapted from “The Best Leaders Are Versatile Ones,” by Robert B. (Rob) Kaiser.