There are three important values embedded in the practice of MPA that are as much a part of Warren Lamb’s legacy as his Seven Creative Concepts: respecting individuality, fostering diversity, and encouraging tolerance.
Lamb felt there was more than one way to do any job. Therefore, we do not have MPA profile templates for CFOs, or research heads, or other positions. Since each individual has strengths and challenges, there is no right or wrong profile at the individual level.
We do have a model for what makes an effective working team.
Long before diversity became politically correct, Warren Lamb was encouraging diversity in management teams. His model of diversity was not based on age, race, creed, or gender. Rather it was based on decision-making style. Warren found that the best teams are made up of people who have different decision-making strengths and patterns.
There is just one problem. When people approach decisions in very different ways, they are likely to get on each other’s nerves. There is a lot of potential for conflict in a diverse team.
And this is where the third value comes in – divergent decision makers need to learn not only to tolerate each other’s approaches but also to appreciate what these very different motivations bring to the table. When this can happen, a team really clicks!