INVENTORY IMPRESSIONS
Participating in the Style Matters Inventory produced interesting results at the conclusion
of my self-assessment. I tend to enjoy learning my strengths and weaknesses generated by a
survey; from a self, peer, and/or a supervisor’s perspective. I am a retired military Service
member that was exposed and accustomed to numerous evaluation methods that frequently
measured my academic aptitude and performance. I value knowing my personal areas that
require attention for refinement.
A Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries is the graduate
degree that I am currently pursuing at Liberty University. I was pleased to read the syllabus for
the Lead 610: Team Leadership and Conflict Resolution course, noting the variety of assessment
tools and evaluation resources offered to students enrolled into the course, for the benefit of self
and an organization. My military training and the leadership roles that I was assigned frequently
molded me as a leader and a team player, to manage Soldier (employee) relations conflict and
facilitate counseling sessions. I am comfortable with these Style Matters Inventory results. The
security that I have with the results reminds me of a statement made by Kraybill, “When you are
comfortable in several styles you are able to be flexible and more easily respond to a variety of
circumstances.”1 The knowledge that I gained from my past experiences and the academic
growth generated by this course will complement my evaluation and counseling toolkit for
fulltime ministry application.
The Style Matters Inventory results met the expectations that I had for myself. I was
surprised by the high scores as I recalled Kraybill’s statement from the reading assignment,
“having several high styles is good for conflict management.”2 That flattered me. I scored the
1 Kraybill, RonStyle Matters Conflict Style Inventory.FNashville: Riverhouse ePress, 2018.
2 Ibid., Style Matters Conflict Style Inventory.F2018.
2
highest within the Cooperation category and my lowest score rests within the Avoiding category.
The Directing and the Harmonizing categories produced equal scores. The inventory results
provide effective managerial insight for an employer and employees. Specifically, the results are
informative for a team leader having a better understanding to attract and utilize team members
more effectively.
MOST SURPRISING
Scoring the highest within the Cooperation category surprised me the most. I make every
attempt to be a team player and a rule follower, and in my mind during planning meetings, my
thoughts do not always suggest uniting thoughts with individuals. However, I fully comply and
strongly promote a unity of effort once a decision is made. Cooperating with others as a process
is essential in every organization to include ministry. Cooperation is also an area that requires
constant attention for me as I do enjoy receiving a task and working on a task independently
from the team. Again, I enjoy being part of a team. I also receive pleasure in dividing and
assigning tasks for independent attention that are to be assembled jointly at a specified time to
reveal the project’s completion. I see the importance of the smaller assignments; at how each one
is independently important and critical for the much larger picture and purpose. This is
cooperation.
New Testament churches can be viewed as local autonomous bodies under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ and also, New Testament churches engaged in joint efforts for both fellowship
and missions. This cooperation can be seen within the unity of believers, “May the God of
endurance and encouragement grant youFto live in such harmony with one another, in accord
with Christ Jesus,Fthat together you may with one voice glorifyFthe God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6, ESV).
3
MOST OBVIOUS
The score results for Direction and Harmonization categories were the most obvious to
me simply because of the way in which I am wired. The United States Army conditioned my
work ethic to solve problems, to be resilient, to take the initiative, and to complete the assigned
task. Make it work. Overcome obstacles. Transform challenges into opportunities. Direction and
Harmonization are critical traits for effective leaders. Purpose in self and to provide for others is
found within Direction while empathy and fostering an objective achieving environment is found
within Harmonization. These two traits go hand-in-hand assisting leaders and team members at
progress forward and upward on a glide path.
MOTIVATING ACTIONS
The result from the inventory prompts me to take steps of corrective action. I must
continue seeking growth, address the blind spots that were illuminated, and develop my
weaknesses. I cannot make assumptions nor neglect my strengths because of success. I must
maintain my stronger traits. I must sustain my level of proactiveness regarding my cooperation
score. I am aware that decisions do not always attract favor from everyone all of the time yet, a
decision is made. Not everyone agrees with the decision, but everyone must cooperate to
accomplish the vision given birth by the decision made. I still possess a “mission first people
always” mentality that I have carried over from my military service. I am aware the ministry
culture is different that the military culture. I must be more sensitive to the feelings of ministry
co-workers and members of the church, and the community. I placed more value over results
than one’s opinion. There was a job to be done. A senior leader made a decision that must be
executed. The results illustrate to me my grasp of the culture that I am now in and how my past
has shaped me for today’s opportunities to be a team player, to develop and to lead teams.
4
Avoidance is the area that requires the most of my attention for improvement. Lingering,
pent-up feelings of frustrations lead to explosions…energy and enthusiasm fades and the
relationship may be endangered.FThis can become the slow death of relationships. One of
Sande’s statements serves as a helpful reminder about the dangers associated with Avoidance, as
it only delays the inevitable. Sande states, “avoidance only postpones a proper solution to a
problem, so flight is usually a harmful way to deal with conflict.”3 The healthy steps that I must
adopt include dialing back the response and utilizing appropriate verbiage to delay the conflict.
My professional and personal life will have less drama and more time and energy for activities
that I genuinely care about by adopting these methodical steps.
CORRELATION
The Style Matters Inventory is all about leadership. Each of the five inventory categories
are significant and relatable to one another as they each independently contribute to growth and
collectively contribute to sustainment. The inventory also assists with exposure to weaknesses to
assist the individual and leadership protect the workplace and the team by preventing conflict.
The inventory is an effective resource tool for application at every leadership level.
INVENTORY INSIGHT
I compared the Ideal Team Player Assessment with The Style Matters Inventory. The
comparison results confirmed the traits that I needed to develop. I am fairly balanced although I
must be mindful as to not attempt to control everything. The aspect of controlling and even
influencing decisions is really selfish of me. This, as a leader, is not acceptable. Sande adds
caution in our attempts to “pushing agendas and controlling decisions for one’s best interests.”4 I
know that my intentions are for the benefit of the organization and in this case, the church.
3 Sande, Ken.FThe Peacemaker: Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker
Books, 2004), 23.
4 Ibid., 122.
5
However, my disposition may not reflect the actions of my heart. I must be mindful of the people
that I serve. These are His people, and I am called to love them and to feed them as He loves and
feeds each person.
This assignment has opened my eyes. Yes, it was another assessment but yet, it presented
a unique perspective for me to learn about myself. I am motivated to address and develop the
avoidance narrative and I am anxious to manage challenging conflicts with cooperation and
harmony to help myself and my team grow professionally. Jesus Christ teaches that true
leadership involves selfless service. I see the truth in this teaching within each of the five areas of
this inventory. Effective leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of those they lead, modeling
the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Effective leaders create an environment that fosters growth,
unity, and empowerment by serving others.
A passage from the Gospel of Mark, as a final statement of truth concerning my
conviction of the inventory insight: “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great
among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
even as the Son of Man came not to be served butFto serve, andFto give his life as a ransom
forFmany.” Matthew 20:26-28, ESV.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
6
STYLE MATTERS INVENTORY – TOM POLING
CALM STORM
Compromising 14 Compromising 14
Cooperating 13 Cooperating 12
Directing 10 Directing 10
Avoiding 7 Avoiding 7
Harmonizing 6 Harmonizing 4
CO-
OP-
ER-
AT-
ING
Calm
Scor
e: 14
Stor
m
Scor
e: 14
HAR
MO-
NIZ-
ING
Calm
Scor
e: 10
Stor
m
Scor
e: 10
AVOI
DIN
G
Calm
Scor
e: 06
Stor
m
Scor
e: 04
DI-
REC
TING
Calm
Scor
e: 07
Stor
m
Scor
e: 07
STYLE MATTER INVENTORY - TOM POLING
8
COMPROMIZING
Calm Score: 10
Storm Score: 10
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
