Lessons from Horse-Rider Dynamics to Team Building
I’ve been listening to a podcast by a horseman. In one he was talking about the energy between a horse and a rider. How it needs to balance between them for them to be a team. My horse Zandy had a lot of nervous energy. So did I. Sometimes our energies got in the way of our performance in the show ring.
It’s the same with human relationships. The marriage counselor that Mike and I went to once said he didn’t know how we had come together because we were so different. Those differences balanced our relationship.
Embracing Our Differences
I’m an introvert. I also tend to see the big picture, not the details. I feel through decisions. And I’m a little organized. He was an extravert. Looked at the details of a situation. Checked into all options before deciding. And tended on the disorganized side.
Mike loved to meet new people. His mom said that he’d never met a stranger. He would start a conversation with someone standing in line. He was comfortable in a room full of people that he didn’t already know. I prefer to be with a few people that I know. Although I can go into a room full of strangers it certainly isn’t comfortable and sometimes, I can’t get away fast enough.
When we were first married, I asked him to hang some hooks to hold coffee mugs under the counter. He asked me where and I responded under the counter, pointing to the counter. No, how far apart do you want them? So they don’t hit each other, I said. He wanted exact measurements. I wanted them to be spaced so they were convenient to put away and get down.
We had an idea to get a CNC plasma cutter. I did a little research and decided on which machine I liked. He did some research and wanted to see how the machine worked before deciding. We found someone who was a few hours away and went to visit him to see how it worked and ended up buying the machine that I had first found.
I was always the keeper of the schedule. When the boys had out-of-town events it would annoy me when I’d tell him I wanted to leave at a certain time, and he would come home and want to shower at that time. He almost always had doctor’s offices talk to me to schedule appointments and to make travel arrangements.
The Importance of Understanding Team Strengths
Whether it’s a work or family team it’s important to understand these differences. They affect how people communicate and respond to each other. It is helpful to work to team members’ strengths by having the right person on the right task. I don’t like to make phone calls. I need a team member who doesn’t have that hang-up.
You might have an extravert on your team who is a better person to give the pitch. There might be someone who would be horribly uncomfortable standing in front of others and can sit alone with a computer and come up with the content for a winning presentation.
One person might be able to take in the whole scenario and another might look at the details. They will balance. All these situations balance out a team.
Do you know the strengths of your team? How can they best work together? The horses and I can help lead you to better communications and help your team improve. Click the button below to talk with me about building your team with an Equine Assisted PlayShop.
Help your team get out of the 9 To 5 attitude.
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Onward!
