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Getting along with colleagues can be challenging… but rewarding. Sarah Walker speaks to author Catherine Stothart about the best ways to approach different personality types in the workplace
Whether it’s a team member not pulling their weight, a clash of personalities, the colleague who blurs the boundaries between work and leisure or someone who unduly takes credit for somebody else’s work, office life is never without its conflicts.
With people under increasing pressure at work and technology making communication faster and round the clock, it would seem that the scope for workplace flare-ups is greater than ever before.
Wouldn’t life be easier if we could all just get along better? Leadership coach and consultant Catherine Stothart believes it is possible if we become more self-aware about the way we interact with each other.
“When we communicate, we usually have a positive intention, but sometimes the way we come across can have a negative impact,” she explains. Everyone has an interaction style that fits into one of four categories – mobilizer, navigator, energizer and synthesizer, she says.
While these styles, based on personality types devised by psychologist Linda Berens in the 1980s, are not by any means assessments of our entire personalities, an understanding of them and how they relate to us and our colleagues helps us to become better communicators. As Stothart outlines in her latest book, How to Get on With Anyone, doing this will ultimately lead to fewer clashes and a happier, conflict-free workplace.
1. The Mobilizer
How to recognize one: Mobilizers like to get things done – and quickly. They come across as determined, straightforward and direct. An easy way to identify mobilizers is they tend to talk and move fast. They get stressed if they feel as if no action has been taken.
How to communicate with them: Mobilizers are the sort of people who furiously check the time in long meetings. “Sometimes they can seem too impatient or demanding,” says Stothart. “If you want to get along with a mobilizer at work, let them know what you’re doing and when. If you know you have a mobilizer style, consciously think about how you slow down and bring people along."
What to say to a mobilizer: “I will get it done by 5pm today.”
What not to say to a mobilizer: “I don’t know when I can do that, I don’t think that’s achievable.”
2. The Navigator
How to recognize one: Navigators are planners who like to take their time and consider everything. They are very focused, calm and methodical individuals. You can spot a navigator because they typically approach work as if they’re studying for an exam. “Sometimes they can come across as slow or pedantic,” says Stothart.
How to communicate with them: “To get along with a navigator at work, get them to discuss their plan with you,” suggests Stothart. “If you’re a navigator, it’s important to show your colleagues a bit of warmth and engage with social chitchat so you don’t come across as too serious.”
What to say to a navigator: “Let’s agree on a clear plan.”
What not to say to a navigator: “How about brainstorming some other options?”
There are plenty of different personality types at work. Understanding how your colleagues communicate allows you to better speak their language
3. The Energizer
How to recognize one: The energizer is the office cheerleader. With seemingly boundless enthusiasm, they throw themselves into tasks and are deeply involved in office life – whether it’s vying to work on a big new client pitch or organizing after-work drinks. They are usually engaging and persuasive individuals, but get stressed when other people do not share their enthusiasm for getting involved.
How to communicate with them: They can also come across as chaotic and can make other people feel confused, says Stothart. If you want to get along with an energizer, then find ways to collaborate with them. If you are an energizer yourself, then try to slow down and say less.
What to say to an energizer: “That’s a really good idea, let’s discuss it some more.”
What not to say to an energizer: “I don’t like that idea, I don’t want to be involved.”
4. The Synthesizer
How to recognize one: Synthesizers always strive to get the best possible results at work. Whether it’s taking meticulous notes in meetings or creating detailed PowerPoint presentations, they will go above and beyond to get the results they desire. In doing so, they like to take their time and gather as much information as possible before making decisions. They are often good listeners and come across as very approachable people in the office.
However, they can appear to be indecisive and meandering, says Stothart. And if they do not feel they have had long enough to work on a project or do not get credit for their work, they can get annoyed.
How to communicate with them: “Become more amenable to a synthesizer by making sure you give them the time they need to work on a project and give them credit for their efforts along the way,” says Stothart. “If you are a synthesizer and would like to get along better with your colleagues, then be more decisive and tell them when you make decisions.”
What to say to a synthesizer: “How much time would you like to get that done?”
What not to say to a synthesizer: “Give me a yes or no answer.”
Sarah Walker is a UK-based journalist who writes about business and tech
Catherine Stothart’s book, How to Get On with Anyone: Gain the Confidence and Charisma to Communicate with Any Personality Type, is published by Pearson
