Last week we kicked off a series inspired by monsters by starting with werewolves, full moons, and finding your zone.  This week we will reflect on the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as it relates to people having many sides and components to their personalities.

You are probably slightly familiar with the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  It’s a story that has played out and been remade in countless ways.  The idea is that Dr. Jekyll is a scientist who created a serum that he takes to transform into Mr. Hyde.  While Dr. Jekyll is a more reserved upstanding citizen, Mr. Hyde is more of a monster who gives into every whim and desire.  The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde shows us that a person is both good and evil, controlled and chaotic, deliberate and impulsive, etc.  The story shows us the duality that lies within everybody.

How does this connect with work?  As the story shows, we are multi-dimensional.  We contain ideas, emotions, and behaviors that are sometimes in conflict with each other.  All of this comes together into a cool collage that is YOU.  While this multi-dimensionality makes people beautiful, it also creates challenges.  It’s also hard to see and understand all of these different perspectives of a person and how they fit together.  Also, sometimes it’s easy to miss seeing a side of someone, because it’s not always so visible.

For example, I’d guess that most people who know me would describe me as energetic, outgoing, etc.  To use insights colors they would say I’m yellow.  Last week, I was leading some market research in and there were times when we needed to make fast decisions, so the driver side of me came out in full force.  I was very direct, moving things along, quick, very much red.  Afterwards, I know some of my colleague were a little surprised to see that much red in me (probably because they don’t see the red come out with my kids.  I’m just saying my dad voice is on point).  Anyway, my colleagues haven’t seen that from me.  It was a little unexpected.  The thing is I’m both red and yellow.  I’m extroverted and introverted.  I’m a poet and a market researcher.  I’m a dad who loves his family and a guy who loves his job (I see you working parents).  I’m someone who doesn’t take life too seriously, and still takes my work very seriously.  I’m sarcastic and sincere (or at least I try to be).  I’m not just one OR the other.  I’m a combination of ALL of these things, and you are a combination of many emotions, ideas, and beliefs as well.     

The challenge: Are you trying to see, understand, and leverage the multiple sides that people have?  Are you trying to see, understand, and leverage the multiple sides you have?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry