Leading Diplomats: How to Fix the January Problem
Learn why Diplomats may struggle after a holiday break (and how quick wins can help them regain momentum)
Did your most people-focused team members seem a bit lost this January after returning to work? Instead of diving head-first into their task list, maybe they lingered in team conversations or asked deeper questions than usual. Or maybe they’ve silently been struggling without voicing their concerns.
Diplomat personality types need something different to get back in their groove after a work break.
The good news? Understanding their unique motivation patterns can help you guide them back to their natural state of inspired, purpose-driven work. Even better – it’s simpler than you might think.
Today, we’ll explore why your Diplomat team members seem stuck, then share specific micro-wins tailored to each type – INFJs (Advocates), INFPs (Mediators), ENFJs (Protagonists), and ENFPs (Campaigners) – that can help them reconnect with their sense of purpose.
Make sure you’re subscribed to participate fully.
But first – do you lead any Diplomats? Here are some “tells” to watch out for. 👇
How to Spot a Diplomat Team Member:
They regularly inquire about the human impact of decisions and projects
They might step in to mediate conflicts between team members
They persistently ask about the “why” behind changes rather than just the “what”
They show visible enthusiasm when projects align with their personal values
They are first to notice when another team member seems upset or off
They tend to phrase criticism as constructive suggestions
They volunteer for mentoring or training roles
Still not sure about a team member’s personality type? Use our free type-guesser tool to guesstimate it.
When you’ve spotted your Diplomat team members, keep reading to learn how to help them reconnect with their sense of purpose and spark their motivation. 👇
The Diplomat’s Post-Holiday Challenge: Finding Their Purpose Again
Your Diplomat team members might seem unusually quiet or distracted after returning from the holidays. While others are jumping back into tasks, they might be struggling to reconnect with their sense of purpose and the meaningful relationships that fuel their work.
You might notice them lingering in conversations, asking deeper questions about project impacts, or seeming hesitant about their usual responsibilities.
This isn’t procrastination – it’s their natural need to reestablish the emotional foundations that make their work meaningful.
Diplomats rely on a delicate web of interpersonal connections and shared values to feel energized and effective. The holiday break disrupts these carefully nurtured relationships and can leave them feeling oddly disconnected from their work’s greater purpose.
The key to helping them regain momentum isn’t about pushing harder on tasks – in fact, that approach can backfire with Diplomat personalities.
Instead, you’ll need to take a different approach that leverages their natural strengths:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Leadership by 16Personalities to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.