Birkman: Interests

This post is completely dedicated to the topic of Interests. We will discuss exactly what Birkman means by Interests and why they are important. We will also share an easy exercise on Interests that you can use with your clients. Finally, we will talk about various applications for Interests. Read on…our hope is that you will find this information very INTERESTing!

Birkman Interests

What does Birkman mean by Interests?

Interests represent what you like to do and where you prefer to direct your energies.

• Kinds of activities you like (not necessarily skills)
• High scores indicate a strong Interest > 75
• Low scores indicate areas that you are not interested in, or may want to avoid < 25
• They drive and energize you
• Mid-scores – moderate Interests; not moving toward; not trying to avoid
• 85 and above – activity is more than an Interest, it’s something you need to have (a lifemandate) to feel fulfilled

Areas of Interest Exercise

Key points to remember when working with Interests:

• Interests do not equal skill, they measure the degree of Interest you have in a certain area
• A low score = little or no interest
• High scores are important. Engage in them, make sure they are a part of your life

This is a great exercise for bringing the team together and shedding some Birkman light on the participants. You will find out which aspects of work each team member enjoys. You may find out that the team’s Interests are varied and across the board, or you may find that they are similarly aligned in terms of their Interests. Either way, it will provide you and the team with an excellent overview.

Goal or Takeaway Value:

• An appreciation of varied Interests
• An appreciation of diversity in objectives & priorities
• To learn more about group members in a non- threatening way by mixing a “little fun” anda “little business”
• To give participants a resource to seek out the next time they’re working on a particularproject
  

  Facilitator’s Role:

• On a flip chart, make a table chart for the group with the ten Areas of Interest across the top of table and the names of the participants down the left side of table (see Example 1 below).
• Describe the Birkman Interest scale to the participants.
• If possible, write the names of the Areas of Interest in the associated color (blue, green,red, yellow).
• Provide each participant with a copy of his/her own Areas of Interest report.
  

  Exercise:

  Invite participants to “color in” their two highest scores on the chart. After they fill in their interests, ask them to discuss the following questions:

  • Where do you see these Interests show up in your life?
  • In your professional world?
  • What about in your personal life?
  • What activities do you do to meet these needs?
  • If your needs are not met at work, what activities do you engage in outside of work to meet those needs?