User Reviews
What people who use the Friendly Style Profile™ have told us. All comments are used with permission.
 |
Most of my clients are professional women who want help with work issues, and then they expand into issues with their spouse or partner. Clients really like how the Friendly Style Profile opens their eyes about the factors that precipitate excess. This awareness helps them become 100% responsible for managing themselves and less likely to blame others. The material is concise and easy to understand. Some clients have even said, "wow, this is amazing...my secret little booklet that no one else has."
Lisa Carpenter, Owner
Carpenter Coaching, Folsom, CA
August, 2013
|
|
I use this profile in my class where business students are introduced to working in cross-functional teams. I like the explanation of styles, especially strengths turning into excesses. Students keep the booklet as a reference to use during the semester.
Ken Elliott, Ed.D, Management Instructor
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
August, 2011
|
|
Calm and storm is a huge concept ... other profiles don't identify the difference between calm and storm as effectively. I really like the use of "excess" to describe behavior as opposed to "weakness"... people get this. Gives them language to talk about what they have been reacting to ... is a safe framework to start difficult conversations.
Liz Dooley, MS
Counseling, Consulting and Training, Eugene, OR
July, 2011
|
|
We use FSP to help our clients learn ways to manage their excesses and bring out the best in themselves and others. We work with Corporate employees and have noticed that from executives to frontline workers there is much benefit from learning that every style has strengths that become excessive. Our clients seem to grasp this concept faster than the old way of pointing out their weaknesses. We have come to prefer online scoring because it reduces the likelihood of errors when completing the questionnaire. We still use the booklets in-house and at workshops and use the online booklets for international clients.
Joyce Odidison, MA, PPC, President & CEO
Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc., Winnipeg, MB
July, 2011
|
|
I first used this profile teaching an American Management Association seminar and now use it with my private clients. I use very few profiles, but this one has substance and a degree of sophistication I like ... especially the concept of calm and storm. My clients like it too ... including technical and engineering professionals who like how practical it is.
Carol Rudman, PhD, President
Rudman Associates Management Training, Long Island, NY
May, 2005
|
|
Gives work teams a tool for identifying differences and clarifying misunderstandings around the ways that people do their jobs. Shows the office teams and plant teams the styles of their members and how they communicate. Is compact, easy to digest, inexpensive, can do in one day.
Stacey Kropp, Training & Development
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, WI
April, 2004
|
|
I use this profile with pastors who are training to be ministry transition specialists as intentional interim ministers. Appreciating how their styles shift in calm and storm is very important ... shows them where they start with their un-thought-through ways of interacting with people ... and puts them in better position to manage themselves in all kinds of situations.
Rev. Dianne B. Christopher, Ministry Consultant
First United Methodist Church, Centerville, IA
August, 2013
|
|
The work profile is a useful tool when working from a "family systems" perspective ... especially its insights around the calm-storm shift. "Playful" interactions around the four styles lower the anxiety in the group and increase the awareness individuals have of themselves and others. Breakthrough conversations and options for relating to one another often follow.
Rev. Norm Thomasma, Director, Pastor-Church Relations
Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids, MI
April, 2012
|
|
Shows that style differences are a core of why so-and-so drives me crazy. Sometimes it’s even a relief to some to find that their ways of dealing with people and tasks are not so unusual. Easy to grasp concepts ... style strengths are easy to remember. We use it for work teams and to assist parties who are experiencing conflict at work. Shows how people can interact with each other respectfully even in conflict.
Sandee Gamet, Peacebuilding Specialist
Community of Christ, Independence, MO
July, 2011
|
|
Shows people their leadership styles when conditions are calm and stormy. Seeing their styles in storm really helps people make choices ... is consistent with Bowen Family Systems and Dr. Edwin Friedman. Gives people a way to do more than just react ... equips them to better serve their congregations in leadership roles.
Rev. Norma Cooper, Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Faculty, Parish Lay Academy, Irving, TX
January, 2006
|
|
The calm-storm shift immerses people in family systems in a way that is so much better than showing them a video. Helps rectors, wardens, and vestries develop a neutral, common language and integrate family systems into their parishes ... they draw their own learning.
The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard, Canon to the Ordinary
Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, Kinston, NC
April, 2006
|
|
Almost everyone connects to the styles ... sees why they don't get along with so and so. Suggestions on what to do are very helpful. Everything you need is in the booklet ... can keep referring back to it ... it's all there.
Rev. Terry N. Gladstone, Director of Congregational Resilience
Detroit Annual Conference, United Methodist Church, Port Huron, MI
July, 2004
|
|
The only personal style instrument that gives scores for both calm and storm ... when things are going fine and when things are stressful. Shows the buttons that get pushed and gives the group language to talk it out.
David Brubaker, Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies and Practicum Director
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA
August, 2013
|
|
Helps you see the excesses in your strengths and how this could become a problem. Shows how you know you're going into excess and what you can do to manage yourself.
Kristy Bradish, Executive Director, retired
Winnebago Conflict Resolution Center, Oshkosh, WI
August, 2013
|
|
I particularly liked the calm-storm shift and emphasis on managing your own style excesses ... being responsible and accountable for managing oneself is critical for effective communication and conflict resolution.
Neil Katz, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus and Program Manager
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
April, 2012
|
|
This profile provides crucial, eye-opening understanding for my students and clients. They see how the great gifts of their styles can go into excess and also come to recognize, when they are on the road to excess, that they can manage back to their style strengths. In every training evaluation the style segment is one of the top a-ha moments. I work to inspire my students and clients to use the booklet as a resource that will teach them more and more when they come back to it with new life experiences. I like to combine the professionally printed booklet with the online scoring that is always accurate and eliminates double checking results.
Kirsten Zerger, Director of Education and Training
Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Bethel College, Newton, KS
July, 2011
|
|
Comprehensive ... easy to give and score ... not too much coaching needed ... people can learn themselves.
Anthony Picchioni, Ph.D, Director, Dispute Resolution Masters Program
Southern Methodist University in Legacy, Plano, TX
January, 2005
|
|
Participants found the suggestions for dealing with one another's styles extremely helpful, as they were specific rather than general in nature. They seemed to take the tips to heart. It was comforting for them to have a "plan" to fall back on -- a list of guidelines to keep in mind.
Jane B. Garzilli, JD, LLM
Garzilli Mediation, Santa Monica, CA
February, 2007
|
|
This profile separates calm and storm conditions, so people can see how they may change in storm … I don’t see this in other instruments. People grasp the concepts. I like to use the online questionnaire because the scoring is automatic, people work at their own speed, and the results come to me ahead of the workshop.
Cheryl Stinski, President and Founder
Alternative Resolutions, Inc., Menasha, WI
August, 2011
|
|
Understanding strengths and excess as well as storm response are keys to this profile. It helps students grow in self-awareness of what they bring to conflict. It's practical and interactive ... students like it.
Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, Associate Professor
Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies, Goshen College, Goshen, IN
April, 2004
|
|
A wonderful tool ... connects to the real world. Students use the concepts to debrief on how personal style influenced a particular situation ... students clearly understand ... has a ripple effect to other parts of their lives.
Patrick Ashton, Ph.D, Director, Peace and Conflict Studies
Indiana University - Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN
February, 2005
|
|
In my pre-marital work, the FSP for Intimate Partners shows a couple how they communicate with each other, and how they deal with conflict. Couples come up with their own anecdotes on how "that really describes me;" even couples who were skeptical at the start buy-in by the end. The FSP is very non-judgmental...both traditional and same-sex couples say, "that was really helpful."
Rev. Gina Finocchiaro, Senior Pastor
First Congregational Church, UCC, Wolfeboro, NH
August, 2013
|
|
I used the FSP for Intimate Partners in pre-marital counseling. The couple found it affirming and very helpful in understanding themselves individually and as a couple. I like that it is a self-testing tool easily interpreted by the people taking it, rather than a 'heavy' psychological examination.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Young, retired
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dubuque, IA
February, 2013
|
|
I have tried the FSP for Intimate Partners in my own marriage. That experience was good and led to greater understanding between us. We had some good fun laughing about ourselves, and understanding each other’s weaknesses and strengths.
Rev. Nils Bersweden
The Rectory Winsterslow, Salisbury, United Kingdom
March, 2013
|
|
I have used the FSP for Intimate Partners for many years, found it very helpful and continue to use it with all couples as part of their premarital preparation. In the new edition I especially like the addition of the materials on the skills of paraphrasing, purpose stating and previewing.
Pastor Anita Smith Buckwalter
Lansing Church of the Brethren, Lansing, MI
March, 2014
|