GAP’s client, 5 Dynamics, is elevating professional team success at work through data-driven cognitive and behavioral understanding. Keep reading to see how…
Compatibility is important. Whether you're online dating, seeking a mentor, picking a travel buddy or choosing a college roommate, rapport and camaraderie make a big difference. And in the workplace, employee compatibility — and how your employees collaborate — can be the biggest factor in success or failure.
A resume or LinkedIn profile can only show you so much. Referrals can be biased or siloed. Past performance isn't always indicative of future potential. Cultural fit is important, but that doesn't tell you enough about aptitude, teamwork and how an employee handles challenges. Behavior and a good "vibe" can matter just as much as skills and alignment on needs.
So how do you measure and analyze data that helps you make solid decisions when it comes to employees and leadership?
Psychometric assessments — and commonplace personality tests — gained popularity in the workforce once they went digital. Now it's fairly common to use these tools to better understand personal insights, including cognitive behavior, psychological preferences, strengths and talents. But personality theory can be subjective and prone to bias. And many personality tests focus on weaknesses or limitations, rather than empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Growth Acceleration Partners (GAP) has the good fortune of a partnership with a long-term client, 5 Dynamics, that created an assessment designed to evaluate individuals based on cognitive and behavioral theory, not personality theory.
5 Dynamic's platform is designed to be applied in real-world situations, including team building, leadership development, conflict resolution and career coaching. The assessment provides actionable insights that can be used to improve performance and professional relationships.
“When completing reviews for executives and direct reports, it’s tremendously helpful to have access to each person’s Simpli5 profile, as the data provided is fantastic — helpful, clear and actionable,” said GAP’s General Manager of Modernization Services Darryl Worsham. “It can sometimes be challenging to articulately highlight areas for improvement. But Simpli5 makes this process much easier by allowing us to present results objectively. Instead of offering subjective opinions, we can share the Simpli5 data, along with specific examples, to provide well-grounded, proven insights others can connect with. I use the data to improve my interactions and connect better with others.”
Proven Methodology
Simpli5, powered by 5 Dynamics, is the software platform that unleashes human potential through an innovative employee development platform and solutions. The assessment focuses on how individuals naturally expend their energy — an approach that provides a more dynamic and contextual understanding of behavior. In 3 minutes or less, Simpli5 determines how a person works through different phases of a project - ideation, alignment, planning and execution.
The proprietary system categorizes people into four distinct energy types, mapping out their energy profile. Energy flow (and how individuals naturally expend their energy) provides a more dynamic and contextual understanding of behavior. This approach is particularly useful in workplace settings, as it helps employees understand not only their own tendencies and strengths, but also those of their colleagues.
The online assessment gives teams everything they need to work collaboratively, manage projects from start to finish, and meet goals in record time. The software platform provides simple, customized and contextualized resources, which guides leaders as they manage individuals and teams. The versatility of the product also makes it valuable for various applications, from HR processes to team-building exercises and leadership development programs.
With this unique approach to measuring work styles, Simpli5 can help:
- Manage and improve every phase of a project
- Deliver better results
- Correct process problems
- Accelerate timelines
- Boost morale
- Resolve conflict between teammates
The platform helps participants discover how to solve challenges related to culture, collaboration, leadership and productivity. It also serves as a tool to improve change management, conflict resolution and teamwork.
Comprehensive Approach
GAP provides 5 Dynamics with end-to-end project support, working closely together to develop user stories, collaboratively defined project scopes, and ensure the tools implemented align with the broader business objectives of 5 Dynamics' customers.
5 Dynamics has been a GAP client since 2017, which has led the GAP team to develop a deep understanding of the business. The nature of 5 Dynamics' work often involves sensitive discussions around data and organizational structure, and GAP's team has a nuanced approach to presenting solutions and addressing potential issues.
GAPsters often find themselves in the position of not just delivering a product, but also acting as collaborative product advisors with a deep technical knowledge of the product. This allows the 5 Dynamics team more time (and resources) to focus on tailored, non-software solutions.
Keep in mind — this isn't the kind of experience you'd have with a traditional "staff augmentation" company. And the level of expertise goes beyond what you'd normally find with other nearshore vendors. This high-level engagement requires a delicate balance between technical expertise and business acumen, as well as strong communication skills.
"Our team may not be experts on the business, but we are experts in this product, and we have an understanding of how to best connect the database for a variety of scenarios," said GAP's Senior Delivery Manager Evelyn Juárez. "We feel confident in engaging in important conversations with the 5 Dynamics team because we have a good connection with them, and we understand the bigger goals of the company."
Successful Partnership
Without effective data, managers resort to making predictions on how employees will get along and whether their work styles will (or will not) complement each other. But if your business is challenged by finding the right employees, completing a successful merger/acquisition, or building a new cross-functional team, don't let guesswork and gut feelings lead you astray.
Working relationships are more important than ever. A 2024 Gartner report identified "employee conflict resolution as a new must-have skill for managers" as a work trend impacting leadership strategies, while Forrester cites "communication and collaboration" as keys for higher productivity, especially with remote workers.
Custom software development and superior data engineering make a significant impact when it comes to revenue-generating and mission critical applications core to your business.
5 Dynamics has a mission to blend workforce intelligence with human intelligence. Their partnership with GAP positions the company at the forefront of assessment tools to revolutionize employee insights and team dynamics.
