How Your MDNA Helps You Solve Problems

They say that success in life is all about how we move from problem to problem. And every once in a while, life gives us a break… with a crisis. In our experience, this is so true and we’re sure you can relate.

What helps with life’s problems is understanding how intrinsic motivations can help us find solutions that work for each of us. This is where the MDNA gifts can come in handy. Let’s take a look at each gift to see how different approaches might work.

UCD - Unyielding Conviction & Design

The UCD never looks at a problem just for the problem. Rather, the UCD will always account for strategy, principles, ideology and liabilities. In other words, a UCD solves problem from a design aspect. Design to a UCD is all about how something works and the reasons it should work a certain way. This is the reason the UCD is often the first one to take a problem and come up with a solution from scratch.

If you are a UCD however, know that a UCD has no problems prioritizing fixing a problem over relationships and people’s feelings. Problem solving comes naturally for a UCD, but often at the expense of relationships. For a UCD to be effective at solving problems, empathy is necessary. Also, the UCD will tend to fix problems solo and disregard team collaboration. While sometimes this is a beneficial trait, when there are complex issues to be solved, learning to collaborate only enhances the UCD gift.

SSA - Sacrificial Service & Authority

The SSA solves problems through service. This means starting with the immediate actions that need attention and working from there. The best part about the SSA is that they don’t even have to be asked to help out. It just gets done because it needs to be done. This is the type of servant leadership that benefits everybody.

One problem the SSA can have is boundaries. More often than not, the SSA has a hard time saying no. This can open the door for others to take advantage of the SSA’s willingness for service. The SSA needs to learn to say no and understand appropriate boundaries. At the same time, those working with the SSA must be willing to have their backs and help manage the load. This prevents burnout and resentment by all parties. We like to tell everybody to give every SSA the authority to say no and trust they will never abuse it. They won’t.

KWR - Knowledgeable Wisdom & Responsibility

The KWR approaches problems from an intellectual perspective. The KWR uses all the information available (always seeking to learn more) and will create solutions with precision. As walking fountains of knowledge, the KWR prefers to teach or inform the solution and then let people decide. They don’t want to impose which makes the KWR safe to approach with problems to begin with, but can be frustrating when others want more decisiveness. This is where the KWR can get stuck in analysis paralysis.

Analysis paralysis occurs when the KWR gets overloaded with information and rationalizing that decisions are not made in timely fashions. Often, the KWR might even refuse to make a decision because not enough information is present. This is where the KWR must learn the social awareness to know when solving a problem requires immediate action over drawn out analysis. If you are a KWR, watch people’s reactions to your approach and be open to take responsibility for your part.

EIA - Empowering Inspiration & Attraction

The EIA is a natural collaborator when solving problems. They take a, “We can do it!” approach and use their social skills to inspire people to action. In this way, the EIA is highly flexible and attuned to the relational needs of the group. Also, the EIA will ensure that the social experience of solving a problem is just as rewarding as the solution itself.

Because the EIA is so relational, problems with interpersonal conflict can cause a challenge. The EIA naturally wants to know they are liked by everybody, so sometimes they can make grand promises that can’t be kept. And when conflict needs to be hashed out directly, the EIA can resort to “spinning” the issue and sweep issues under the rug. Many EIA will avoid confrontation at all costs, which we know is not healthy. When the EIA learns to be direct and risk popularity for the sake of resolving confrontation, they bring the right balance between results and relationships.

CVS - Compelling Value & Stewardship

The CVS is the most versatile, flexible and creative when it comes to solving problems. They don’t always have to break down the front door. Instead they will find the side door and create value in ways that many overlook. One of the strongest traits of the CVS is their ability to work with people regardless of ideological differences. They have no issue with social conflict as long as everybody is contributing value.

The CVS can get cranky if they are not seeing value for the time spent on a problem. This is where they can be blunt and also come across with arrogance when voicing frustrations. It’s not that they are unwilling to solve a problem, they just need to see the value for their time. This translates into the CVS often avoiding problems from the past. The past is the past and not worth the present time to the mind of the CVS.

DLF - Dominion Leadership & Freedom

The DLF solves problems with leadership, organization and administration. They don’t believe in casting blame when a problem occurs. They just want everybody to be loyal to the team, fix the problems and get back to productivity. This is the reason the DLF will think of organizational systems to solve problems. And they have no problem withstanding opposing resistance for the sake of a solution they believe in. The DLF will let the final results speak for themselves.

Sometimes the DLF’s, “Do what I tell you to do,” style is necessary in situational leadership. Other times it can come across heavy handed and authoritarian. The DLF must learn that the end doesn’t always justify the means and that people who feel exploited will not want to be on the team long term. If you are a DLF, remind yourself that not everybody can be as productive as you in the way you think things should be done. Learn to be sensitive to people’s needs.

IAF - Intuitive Alignment & Fulfillment

The IAF, as the label implies, takes an intuitive approach to solving problems. Combine this with their commitment to excellence and empathy, when the IAF solves a problem, the solution is often elegant and fulfilling for everybody. And most often, the mere presence of an IAF can make things better. This is the reason people love sharing all their problems with an IAF because they know how much compassion the IAF has.

If you are an IAF, you’ll completely relate to being overwhelmed at times. Since the IAF has the ability to see all the details and feel the burdens of everybody and everything in a situation, this can cause sensory and emotional overload. Quite often, the IAF will then have problems articulating what they’re feeling and misunderstandings can occur. The secret for the IAF here is communication. Learn to be direct, vulnerable and clearly articulate your needs. Others will be glad to help!

If you want to learn more about each gift, visit the MDNA results page. And let us know if we can help you any further.

Ed KangComment