Styles At Work and Play, Part 2
Last week, I flitted up and down the California coast, meeting with people in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Sacramento and San Diego. Early in my travels, I came across a New York Times article, “If You Can Shoot an Elephant in Your PJ’s, You Can Fly in Them” (www.nytimes.com, 11/14/06, p. C8). The article tells the story of Karen Neuburger, who explained to a NYT reporter that she wears pajamas throughout her business travels. When giving a speech to bankers or investors, Neuburger reported, she wears more typical business wear. But when it’s time for her to board a flight, passengers can expect to find her in her pj’s.
I’d be willing to bet that Neuburger possesses what I call the “Innovator” behavioral style preference. “I’s” hate rules, routine and inflexibility. At work they are likely to constantly push the limits, to test what they can and cannot get away with. One of the real assets of being an “I” is an uncanny ability to think outside the box. One of the real challenges these people face in the office is the perception that they are unwilling to stick with the hard problems or less interesting projects and see them through to completion.
The last work style is the “Socializer.” These are the nice people in your office, the natural team builders, the really great listeners. “S’s” are the people who most frequently volunteer to serve as mentors and to help on various committees. They are often well liked. In fact, in the office setting, a Socializer’s need to be liked can be their biggest challenge. Too often, Socializers will become the automatic helper around the office—doing work that others were tasked to do because the Socializer so badly wishes to be liked.
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