Unlocking Team Potential : The Impact of Life Languages at Unique Magazines

Anyone who knows our Managing Director John and Operations Director Sarah will recognise their strategic approach to everything they do, getting tasks done with clear direction and actioning plans analytically.  This type of approach has supported John, the creator and founder of Unique Magazines, in his 22-year endeavour of our passionate business. This life language, in a test we recently conquered as a team, is called a Shaper and they are known for leading the pack, which compliments both John and Sarah’s roles here so perfectly.

But what is a life language? A life language is a communication style with its own unique characteristics under one of three intelligent categories which are: Act, Feel or Think first, which then fall into 7 different languages to show how each individual moves through the world. 

John discovered this by chance. On a solo business trip back to Newcastle, he boarded a plane and took his assigned seat. John does not find sparking up conversation hard and so by the time the plane landed, he had found out all about the work of Clive, his neighbouring passenger on the plane, who is a certified coach of life languages. John shortly discovered how this profound personality test can help form a better understanding of your team in business, something which John has admittedly struggled with over the years.

So, in the expected shaper-mover fashion John asked Clive to work with us on our journey of self-discovery. Each staff member completed the personality test, which gave everyone a personalised report. Clive came into our office here in Newcastle to break it down through three fascinating sessions. Our first session was an overview of the languages, the second on distress flares and the third about our interaction as a team, including which members complement each other well and which ones may need to work harder to communicate better. 

Chris, our Distribution Manager, identifies as a Shaper. Both he and John share a secondary role as Movers, an action-oriented category. Movers are innovative, direct, and set high standards for their work, leading with vision and passion. Their natural drive for action makes them well-suited for management roles.

In the Action category, we have the Doer. Our Distribution Assistants, Andrew and Andrea, scored this as their primary type, with Sarah placing it second. Doers are reliable, detail-oriented, and focused on practical action. Andrew and Andrea showcase this daily in the warehouse, ensuring accuracy and efficiency when packing and dispatching magazines.

Our top feeler is Ellie, our Brand Content Coordinator, whose two primary life languages fall in the feeling category. She shares her main type, Responder, with Angela, our management accountant. Responders are sensitive, nurturing, and energised by others’ emotions, showing deep compassion and creativity. This fits Angela as a caring mother and Ellie as a passionate brand creative perfectly.

Sam, our Customer Experience Specialist, and Ellie both scored Influencer as their secondary type. Influencers thrive on interaction, inspiring others with their vision, warmth, and enthusiasm. They’re intuitive, inclusive, and natural at engaging large groups. Ellie uses this skill in office networking and her social life, while Sam shines in her joyful interactions with our customers.

Andrea excels at managing her money, with Producer as her secondary type in the thinking category, alongside Shaper and Contemplator. She’s resourceful, responsible, and financially savvy, which explains how she manages to take so many beautiful trips without breaking the bank!

Contemplator ranked low for most of the team, but Andrew and Angela, both scored it as their secondary type. Reflective and thoughtful, they provide insight and depth. Intelligent, inquisitive, and philosophical, it’s no wonder Angela is always there to help solve our personal dilemmas.

After reviewing the team report, the results were eye-opening. As a group, we scored Doer-Responder as our overall language, perfectly aligning with our core values of service, quality, and trust.

Scoring Doer means we prioritise action, focusing on getting magazines out efficiently, paying attention to detail, and overcoming obstacles with practical decisions. This ensures outstanding service, with quick and accurate dispatch to customers.

Responder, our second language, highlights our emotional depth and care for each customer’s problems, reinforcing our compassionate, personal approach to service, which keeps customers coming back.

To get the best from your team, understanding the unique dynamic of each individual is key. Your team drives your business forward and knowing them aligns your goals and vision for the future. Every member deserves to be seen, heard, and understood. Investing in your team is the most powerful thing you can do.