did you know that the average person is likely to spend over a quarter of their life at work?
No matter what occupation you fall into, the one universal truth we all share is our colleagues... and wouldn’t it make it much simpler when dealing with work situations (whether good or bad!) if we were able to understand our peers a little better?
here’s our tongue-in-cheek guide to the five types of work personalities in every business:
1. high achievers
Love them or hate them, high achievers are those talented, aspiring individuals whose main goal in life is to work hard and get ahead. These are the persistent, single-minded (sometimes ruthless) people who strive for career success in every industry.
Their top personality traits include ambitious, innovative, flexible, energetic, natural-born leaders …And a tendency to be ruthless.
roles you'll find them in:
- Executives
- General Managers
- Politicians
- Business Development
- Entrepreneurs
- high-level positions such as CEOs
2. mr or ms dependable
Often described as the most conscientious, these workers are known for playing by the rules, turning on time every day, persevering with complex tasks and making long detailed lists of things to do.
Their top personality traits are: well organised, dependable, attention to detail, meticulous, and a little tedious.
roles you'll find them in:
- Accounting
- Administration
- Social Workers
- Nurses
- Office Managers
- Police/Law Enforcement
- Surveyors.
3. the social butterfly
These bubbly, friendly personalities love to work as part of a team rather than by themselves and actively take an interest in colleagues personally.
Often hyper-sensitive to the needs of others, they're the person most likely to lend a shoulder to cry on if you're having a rough day at work.
Their top personality traits are outgoing, democratic, sensitive, approachable, and office gossip!
roles you'll find them in:
- Actors
- Account Managers
- Marketing & Communications
- Social Media
- Public Relations
4. original thinkers
Workers in this category are known for their big picture ideas, insightful approach to problem-solving, and imaginative concepts.
Highly analytical, these people are the first to speak up during brainstorming sessions and need to keep a pen handy to draw diagrams to illustrate their points.
Their top personality traits can be innovative, creative, visionary, quirky and a little nosy.
roles you'll find them in:
- Scientists
- Psychologists
- Consultants
- Inventors
- Advertising Executives
5. switzerland (aka the fence-sitters)
Like their namesake country Switzerland, these people remain neutral at all odds. Despite the bland insinuation, workers who fall in this category are essential for keeping the peace in every working environment.
Though rarely chosen for recognition or reward, these fence-sitters are most likely to speak up about the limitations of projects, and their presence often brings calm to any volatile situations.
Their top personality traits include calm, composed, diligence, trustworthiness, and a total know-it-all.
roles you'll find them in:
- CFOs
- Treasurers
- Auditing Professionals
- Stock Brokers
- computer programmers and developers.
So there you have it, the five most common types of work personalities. No one will ever completely fit into any category, but you're likely to find aspects of every kind in any office.
Which category do you fit into?
Which personality do you think is the best to have in a work colleague, and which would you prefer to do without?
