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Get Sustainable Results with LIFO®

How the LIFO® Method Works

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The New Golden Rule

“Do unto others as they wish to be done unto.”

Imagine an organization where every team member knows the way they like to do things and recognizes the ways that each of their colleagues prefer.

That’s what differentiates the LIFO® Method from other approaches. It starts with learning your individual style preferences and those of others. Then, enormous productivity improvements can be realized using common language to communicate with people in the style that they wish to be communicated to.

This approach leads to understanding the differences in how people work, how they receive information, and how they deliver information. Our goal is to get teams talking, providing feedback to each other, and working to understand their behavioral styles in order to capitalize not only on their own strengths, but also on the strengths of those around them. LIFO® is a unique approach and sustainable in organizations.

Highlights of the LIFO® Method:

  • LIFO® is not a personality profile. It is a complete performance improvement methodology.
  • LIFO® uses a behavioral styles approach that is contextual and self-reporting.
  • Uses common language, rather than unnatural acronyms or jargon.
  • Encourages best use of individual strengths and creates awareness of potential ‘blind-spots’.
  • Participants learn how to approach each other from the other person’s preferred perspective.
  • Offers easy to implement strategies for success.

Find out how the LIFO method can help improve productivity and communication

The Four Orientations

“The simple focus of four orientations to life, under two sets of conditions — favorable and unfavorable — gives us eight basic dimensions around which to understand ourselves and to talk to each other and understand the mutual impact of our differences or similarities.”
—Dr. Stuart Atkins

Support Giving

Keyword: Excellence

Characteristics:

  • Considerate
  • Idealistic
  • Modest
  • Trusting
  • Loyal
  • Helpful
  • Receptive
  • Responsive
  • Seeks Excellence
  • Cooperative

Controlling Taking

Keyword: Action

Characteristics:

  • Competitive
  • Confident
  • Directing
  • Forceful
  • Persistent
  • Persuasive
  • Quick to act
  • Risk-taking
  • Seek change
  • Urgent

Conserving Holding

Keyword: Reason

Characteristics:

  • Analytical
  • Detail-oriented
  • Economical
  • Factual
  • Methodical
  • Practical
  • Reserved
  • Steadfast
  • Tenacious
  • Thorough

Adapting Dealing

Keyword: Harmony

Characteristics:

  • Adaptable
  • Animated
  • Empathetic
  • Enthusiastic
  • Experimental
  • Flexible
  • Inspiring
  • Negotiating
  • Sociable
  • Tactful

Individual Awareness, Team Optimization, Organizational Excellence

Dr. Erich Fromm (1900-1980) – Man for Himself – introduced the concept of four orientations based on values driven behavior. In addition, Fromm introduced the concept of our greatest strength can become our greatest weakness when overused. This leads to the Strength-Weakness Paradox.

Many of us have a tendency to rely heavily on, or overuse, those strengths which we have found productive. When a strength is overused it is likely that another behavior or style is underused.

An example of this dynamic occurs  when an outstanding salesperson is promoted to sales manager. The set of behavioral preferences that help create a sales superstar might not serve the individual well in the role of the sales manager. This is one of the many organizational challenges that LIFO® can help.

Strength Paradox