From Conflict to Clarity: 7 Ways Marketing Leaders Can Build Better Teams with Birkman
If you’re leading a marketing team, you’ve likely felt some frustration like me:
- Meetings that spiral into miscommunication.
- Team members are clashing over small things.
- The weight of being the constant mediator when you’d rather be the leader.
When teams lack alignment, the fallout isn’t just emotional, it’s operational. That means creativity stalls. Collaboration becomes a struggle. Even the most talented people sometimes feel drained instead of driven, and productivity declines.
What’s often missing isn’t more structure or another project management tool. It’s understanding of each person’s motivators, stress signals, and unspoken expectations. That’s where the Birkman Method becomes a game changer.
I utilized the Birkman with my marketing team at NCR to enhance communication and understanding, resulting in a 95% engagement rate. Here are seven ways you can use Birkman insights to shift from firefighting to future-building:
1. Decode Communication Preferences
Do you ever feel like the teacher from “Peanuts” or “Charlie Brown” when speaking to your team or listening to your team communicate? What Wah, What Wah, What Wah. People communicate differently, and some prefer direct feedback, while others prefer a more tactful approach. Still others might have a hidden need for diplomacy. Have you ever heard of someone who can dish it out, but can’t take it? I bet you have. This person is straightforward but requires more diplomacy from others; when their need for tact is not met, they can become embarrassed or upset. Birkman helps you understand how each person best processes information, allowing you to avoid misfires and increase clarity.
Try this: Instead of saying, “I need you to talk more in meetings and share your opinions,” say, “How can we ensure your voice is heard in team conversations because you bring good ideas to the table?”
2. Spot Stress Before It Disrupts Everything
Stress can manifest in various ways in individuals. Sometimes it looks like withdrawal, irritability, or micromanaging. Birkman helps you understand the subtle ways people behave when their internal Needs go unmet, giving you early warning signs before small stuff becomes full-blown conflict.
Try this: If someone’s tone shifts or their energy drops, ask, “What’s one thing I could adjust to make your workload feel more manageable right now?”
3. Tap into What Truly Motivates Your Team
Not all rewards are created equal. Some team members are driven by public recognition, while others value autonomy or creative freedom. Birkman reveals individual Interests and motivational drivers so you can keep your team energized in ways that matter.
Try this: “I noticed you light up when you’re leading brainstorms. How can we build more of that into your week?”
4. Build Smarter Development Plans
When coaching feels generic, people disengage. Use Birkman to personalize growth plans based on real data about strengths and blind spots. This makes development feel supportive rather than corrective.
Try this: “You’ve shown a real knack for strategic thinking. How would you feel about mentoring newer team members in that area?”
5. Strengthen Team Trust with Shared Language
Tension often stems from misinterpretation. With Birkman, your team learns to talk about behavior and expectations using neutral, shared language. This reduces defensiveness and builds psychological safety.
Try this: Use phrases like “How can I help you feel supported right now?” rather than “You seem off.”
6. Shape Roles That Fit Natural Strengths
People thrive when their roles align with what they naturally enjoy and do well. Birkman data can guide role clarity, delegation, and team design, making work feel less like a grind and more like a good fit.
Try this: Review your team’s Interests and adjust who owns which initiatives, putting people where they can focus their passion and shine.
7. Lead with Self-Awareness
The best leaders don’t just study their teams. Instead, they get to know themselves. Birkman helps you understand your usual behaviors, motivational needs, and stress responses when needs go unmet, enabling you to lead with clarity, empathy, and consistency.
Try this: Reflect on how your own Needs show up in team dynamics. Ask yourself, “Where might I be unintentionally creating pressure?”
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to be the referee when you can give your team a leg up with Birkman High Performing Teams. With the correct data, you can build and lead a team that collaborates more naturally, communicates more clearly, and performs with purpose, leading to greater productivity. In today’s fast-paced environment, everyone feels the pressure to do more with less. That’s why understanding your team and improving communication is key. With guidance from a Birkman Certified Professional in Atlanta, you gain the insight and shorthand needed to accelerate collaboration and drive results.
When your team understands their personality —and each other—they stop stepping on toes and start stepping up. That’s not magic. That’s the mindset, powered by Birkman. Unsure of where to start, schedule a consultation to see how we can help.
