Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO®)
The FIRO screenings provide individuals with insights into their interpersonal needs and how these needs impact their communication style and conduct. The FIRO-B and FIRO Business assessments aid in facilitating behavioral change by offering insight into individuals' working connections and needs, based on the social need theory. The FIRO results yield crucial information regarding individuals' typical behavior towards others and their desired behavior from others.
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FIRO AND DEVELOPING PEOPLE
The FIRO assessment suite facilitates individuals in identifying instances where they may be conveying conflicting messages and aids them in modifying their behaviors to cultivate connections. The FIRO results provide insights toward enhancing relationships by highlighting individuals' self-perception and the potential discrepancies with others' perceptions of them.
The FIRO allows individuals to modify their actions, so helping them to efficiently exert influence on others in order to attain exceptional performance.
WHAT DOES FUNDAMENTAL INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS ORIENTATION (FIRO) EVEN MEAN?
A little background on the FIRO tool and social need theory
The FIRO model was originally developed in the 1950s Will Schutz, a Harvard scientist. He had worked in the American Naval Research Laboratory where he studied the dynamics of people working in close quarters – like submarines. He argued that beyond physiological needs (water/food), an individual has interpersonal needs that motivate their behaviour. For example, just as some people need more food than others, some people need more social contact. And just as the wrong kind of food can cause suffering, so can the wrong kind or level of social contact.
From his research Schutz developed the FIRO model – how surface behaviours are related to core values and that awareness of this link and any potential misalignment is critical for the development of individuals and teams.
BUILDING STRONG TEAMS WITH FIRO
Teams have access to a wealth of information through the FIRO assessment model, which allows them to investigate motivations, underlying tensions, inconsistent behaviors, and confusing messages amongst members of the team, all of which can result in mistrust and derailment. The FIRO illustrates the range of possible approaches that individuals may take when working together as a team, and it draws attention to problematic areas that may result in inefficiencies and delays.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRSTÂ INTERPERSONAL NEED AREA - INCLUSION
The need to develop and maintain satisfying connections and affiliations with other people; indicates the level to which one desires to have contact with other people and the degree to which one wants to participate in activities that are shared with other people.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECONDÂ INTERPERSONAL NEED AREA -Â CONTROL
Indicates how someone acts in relation to authority, responsibility, influence, and decision-making; shows the level of want to control or direct the actions of others or the level of desire to be seen as capable, authoritative, and in command.
DESCRIPTION OF THE THIRDÂ INTERPERSONAL NEED AREA -Â AFFECTION
This concept primarily pertains to one-on-one interactions as opposed to group behavior, and it describes the manner in which an individual behaves while creating close, personal relationships. It also dictates the degree of warmth and personal connections that that individual desires with other people.
FIRO-B® Interpretive Report for Organisations
This 14-page report looks at career planning and development, job satisfaction and individual effectiveness through the FIRO lens, to identify individual strengths and development areas. The report results show how strong an individual’s needs are for general interpersonal contact and interaction; how much they like to take initiative and how much they prefer others to take initiative; and which needs have the strongest influence on behaviour in relationships. Additionally, this report highlights development areas to consider in order to achieve better individual and team performance.
The FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organisations contains:
- An initial narrative summary of the respondent’s FIRO-B results, including associated behaviours and indications
- Patterns of need fulfillment in the three areas
- Detailed exploration of the implications of the results in three areas (career development, team effectiveness and leadership) and opportunities for improvement within these areas
When to use the FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organisations:
- Team development and communication
- Awareness of fit to future role
- Leadership development
- Conflict management
- Coaching at all levels
