About the FIRO-B™: Team Work Environment – Total Need for Affection

This time we'll look at how your total Need for Affection score might influence your perception of your team’s mood or work environment.  In general, your highest total need score shows which aspect of the team will give you the most satisfaction.  If Affection is your highest score, then this will be the most important aspect of team work for you.  You will likely work hardest to maintain or improve this aspect of team work.

Here are some signs your total needs for Affection are not being met by your team.   You might feel the team is too businesslike and formal, that others would leave the group if given the opportunity, or that people are keeping their true feelings hidden from others.  You might believe you need more moral support from your colleagues, or that you’re not sure how others on the team really feel about you.  It’s possible you’ll feel the team is doing the bare minimum to get by, instead of trying to do their best.  You could be sensing unresolved conflict or tension among your team members.  Finally, you might believe you do not truly know your fellow group members.

The more of the above statements you agree with, the more likely you'll need to address some key issues with your team.  For example, you might need to have a team discussion about personal histories, background, values, motivators, frustrations, etc. to create a more personable work environment.  With further clarity, you can redefine your team role or perhaps move out of the team entirely if no agreement can be reached.