Understanding and Investing in Your Woo Talent

In this Theme Thursday Season 4 webcast, Jim Collison, Gallup's Director of Talent Sourcing, and Maika Leibbrandt, Senior Workplace Consultant, talk about Woo.

The talent theme of Woo is all about making fast social connections, turning strangers into friends, and creating a space of social comfort for others. Those especially talented in this theme can quickly turn strangers into acquaintances. They don't just break the ice-they melt it through warmth and hospitality. They are charming and open.

If this is a dominant talent for you, at your best you add specific value. This value can be described as adding the spark of comfort to social situations. You see people, you notice people. You can disarm social anxiety by acknowledging the presence of others. Chances are you willingly and quickly love people. You genuinely notice things to like about others. You're most on when you're around others. Because of this, you are able to adjust to what your audience or colleagues need socially, and provide that. Woo is about warming up the bonds between colleagues, strangers or partners. At your best, you make work fun.

To invest further in this theme, go to the people. Spend time in social situations. Don't shy away from social events, even if you don't sense that you're totally prepared to "win" them. Your natural tendency to notice others will give you energy even if you're not leading. Take responsibility for putting people at ease. Be the hospitality champion, formally through greeting and welcoming. Informally this could mean you speak up for people or acknowledge their challenges, victories, or presence one-on-one.

To best feed your Woo, plant yourself among as many people as possible. This doesn't mean you don't need downtime. You might. But you also recharge by being in public. Be the one who says hello first, who attends that luncheon, who shows up at the fundraiser, who takes a gift to your neighbors. Stay curious about your audience. Understand who your constituents are, officially or casually. Who notices the work your team does? Who has an investment in your work? The better you can understand your audience, the more often and effectively you can be the face of your team.

Woo is not always loud. You can make someone feel seen and comforted in gentle, quiet ways. But even in doing so, you're still going to be purposeful about your interactions. The idea that you should turn off in order to recharge doesn't likely feed you as much as might other people. Quiet time, alone time, introverted time may not serve you as much as it does others. You don't have to entertain or manage the energy of every room all the time. Sometimes it's important to pack up and go find a new "Public" to socialize while your closest allies get the solitary respite they need.

Working With Woo …

If you are working with someone talented in the Woo theme, you can expect genuine presence among people. Not only can they do social, they are attracted and energized by it. Trust that this is true and life-giving for them. Expect dynamic interactions, a speed of comfort, and talent for diffusing awkwardness. They may be impatient or drained when asked to work alone. They will come alive when they're with others.

Celebrate the space they create. One coach put it this way: "Woo naturally curates a safe space for positive interaction." When recognizing someone with dominant Woo, you might consider including others in their celebration. They see the world through the distance between people, so make that distance smaller. Ask others who know them to lend their words or show up in person to recognize them.

If you're interested in helping someone with Woo stretch or develop, tap into their natural awareness of others as a glue for your team. Invite them to purposefully make people feel at ease. If you lead a team and have someone with Woo as a direct report, you might ask them to clue you in on ways you as a leader can help others feel seen and appreciated. Don't expect that woo is a catch-all for "social talent." Without other themes, this person may not necessarily enjoy long-term relationships or thrive at connecting with clients, customers, or even personal friends on a deep level. This doesn't make their connection any less relevant or important. But don't set them up to fail by assuming they're great at all things relationship.

Be a great partner to someone with Woo by feeding them parties, events, and social gatherings. If your Woo friend is feeling a bit lackluster, take them somewhere there are people. They may forget how much energy this provides them. Let them know what you need in order to be delighted. They want to make this happen for you. If you prefer to be left alone until you breakfast is complete, for example, tell them. Chances are good they'll be happy to oblige.

If Woo is one of your Dominant Themes, invest in it this week through the following challenge items:

• Spend 1 hour intentionally "in public." Something you'd normally do alone, do it among people.
• Go somewhere you don't go every day (a new floor, a different hallway, a post office?) and greet 3 people there.
• Practice your skill of learning names and using them in conversation.

If Woo is not one of your Dominant Themes, invest in it this week through the following challenge items:

• Identify a dominant theme that could make you curious about people.
• Make a list of 3 great conversation starter questions. (focus on others!)