Work Styles and Building a High Performance Team

All of us are different and this certainly applies to our "work styles." Our work style impacts everything from how we communicate to how we handle conflict to how we react to change. And, it influences how our work integrates with our coworkers. To turn this potential negative into a positive, we must appreciate our diversity by understanding our style as well as the styles of others on our team.

Before discussing the styles, a caution - each of us uses all the styles but one is always our preferred style - we go to it first. So, since we're all the styles, there is no right or wrong, and we shouldn't "pigeon hole" others. Learning to work together to use the diversity of styles is one of the most critical factors in determining our success.

Here’s a quick overview of the four major work styles.

Producer – "Get it done now." The Producer literally says “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn’t here. What can I get done today?” The Producer ensures things get done in a timely manner.

How to recognize a Producer:

• Everything is important; has difficulty setting priorities.

• May “leap before looking” and make mistakes.

• People are the last thing on their mind.

• Energized by getting work done.

Analyst – "Get it done correctly." The Analyst is very methodical, detailed oriented, and focuses on ensuring that things are correct. The Analyst ensures things are done “right.”

How to recognize an Analyst:

• Needs more facts and data.

• Needs to be correct.

• Intolerant of mistakes in self and others.

• At times, a victim of “Paralysis by Analysis" and may miss opportunity.

• Bore others with too much detail.

• Energized by planning

Imaginist – "Get it done creatively." The Imaginist is an innovator and creator. The Imaginist is the person to problem solve and develop innovative solutions or new processes.

How to recognize an Imaginist:

• Has talent for seeing the “big picture.”

• Loves change; novel, new and innovative approaches.

• Assigns priority based on “creative or newness.”

• Energized by new ideas.

Teamist – "Get it done together." The Teamist is people-sensitive, always has time to “chat,” and tends to be a creature of habit. The Teamist is the person who brings the team together to accomplish goals.

How to recognize a Teamist:

• Prefers team environment.

• Makes decisions based on group consensus and personal feelings.

• Assigns priorities based on feeling.

• Likes to socialize and allows work to be interrupted by others.

• Shares "home" problems at work.

• Energized by being with people.

Potential Conflicts

If we don't understand and work effectively with coworkers who have a different work style, conflicts can easily arise and seriously impact teamwork and results. Here are a couple examples:

• Producer vs. Analyst – The Producer only wants the bottom line facts so that quick action can be taken, but the Analyst insists on taking time to investigate to ensure the action to be taken is correct.

• Analyst vs. Teamist – The Analyst proposes action based on the data while the Teamist opposes the action because it doesn’t address the feelings of the workforce.

To ensure team success, leverage the diverse styles of everyone in your work area:

• Look to the Imaginists for solutions to problems and to create new processes.

• Look to the Analysts to develop the plan for implementing the solution or new processes developed by the Imaginists.

• Look to the Teamists to create motivation within the team to implement the plan developed by the Analyst.

• Look to the Producers to implement the solution or new processes.

What is the distribution of work styles in your company?

How are you using that diversity to improve results?

What is the right balance of styles for your kind of work?