Ever wondered why you seem to work well in some jobs and not others? Why do you find some tasks easy and others a real drag? It’s likely got a lot to do with your working style.
Ever wondered why you seem to work well in some jobs and not others? Why do you find some tasks easy and others a real drag? It’s likely got a lot to do with your working style.
The different types of working styles
Your unique working style refers to how you organise and get through all of your work. You may have experienced the fact that people have different learning styles, but the same goes for working style. It doesn’t mean that one style is better than another, or even more productive. However, understanding your style helps you maximise your productivity and even identify the types of roles you might be best suited for.
Let’s take a look at the four major working styles.
Logical
Generally, logical workers are considered the people who just want to get things done. They have a good ability to see a task, analyse what’s required, and push ahead with the work. Usually fond of a challenge, logical workers have a very linear way of thinking, meaning they look at the data in front of them and take action accordingly.
While logical workers usually put a lot of focus on concentration into a task, they sometimes forget to communicate clearly or take the time to plan their work.
Detail-oriented
Those who are detail-oriented obviously like to have all of the information possible before forging ahead with a task. They’re quite pragmatic, meaning work is often undertaken quite carefully. Rather than looking at the single task ahead of them, detail-oriented people like to think strategically, and they’re usually very good at planning.
These traits are extremely important, and detail-oriented workers like to get things 100% correct. This is why they often choose roles where accuracy is more important than speed.
Supportive
When there’s collaboration to be done, you want some supportive workers on your side. Communication is often a strength because supportive workers are often focused on the feelings of those around them. This more emotional approach to work makes them great at roles where communication, teamwork and bringing people together are important.
The downside to this work style is that supportive workers may find it difficult to make tough decisions or be a driving force behind productivity in pressure situations.
Idea-oriented
The people with all the ideas are often considered to be creative workers. They’re great at problem-solving and can think outside the box. Rather than being bogged down in details, idea-oriented workers are always looking for a solution and usually have a higher tolerance for risk. In addition, idea-oriented people often thrive on trying new things and creating bold visions.
How to identify your working style
There are a few questions to ask yourself when determining your work style:
- How do I prefer to communicate?
- How do I deal with conflict?
- How do I plan my day?
- Do I prefer details and data or creative thinking?
- Would I rather work quickly or carefully?
You can also do personality tests online, but using the descriptions of each working type above, you should be able to get an idea of where you fit!
How to maximise productivity for the different working styles
Since all workers are different, here are some tips for getting the most out of your work life. Hint: Many of these tips require working well with others!
Logical: Logical types are best at working in roles where work is planned out for them and delivered with clear instructions. The “logical” work style professional is generally eager to get started, logical workers can sometimes forget to communicate what they’re doing to others in the team. And if something requires a great deal of preparation, then drivers tend to downplay the importance of planning. A tip for more effective outcomes and maximise productivity, try to take a step back, develop a plan for the work and ensure your actions won’t create re-work.
Detail-oriented: While great at planning and analysing, detail-oriented people often struggle to execute plans. Working well with logical workers is a key to success and choosing roles that require thorough analysis rather than fast action. A tip for more effective outcomes as a “detail oriented’ professional, and maximise productivity can be to priories the relevant elements of a project so as to not spend too much tie on details that don’t have a direct impact on the desired outcomes.
Supportive: Supportive team members have a superpower: keen emotional sensitivity and strive to form strong relationships and improve team morale. Look for positions that require some sensitivity, such as HR roles. To maximise productivity, try to prioritise your own tasks above more emotional matters. The good news is, you’ll work well with all other working types.
Idea-oriented: The opposite of the detail-oriented work style is the idea-oriented work style. These big-picture thinkers help facilitate large-scale change. Strive for roles that embrace your creative thinking. If you have strong teams around you to analyse details, action tasks and support your ideas, you’ll go a long way. To maximise productivity, try to narrow your focus slightly to avoid becoming distracted by too many new ideas and projects.
Keep these tips in mind, embrace your working style, and start thriving in your chosen career!
Working with a cross functional team of diverse work styles can be tricky. However, this is also what makes diverse teams so impactful. They’re great at problem-solving and always bring creative ideas to the table
