Thursday
Jan272011
It Takes All Types (Not a Village)
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 8:52AM
This blog entry will vary a bit from previous entries. I wanted to take a strategic pause from the relatively serious nature of the “Leadership Fables” series and inject a over-generalized, humorous list of “staff classifications” for groups of employees I have managed over the years. This is a not an academic dissertation on Meyers Briggs types (I’m an ENTJ by the way – shocker), or a study on the results of 360 degree feedback assessments.
Now, if you are sensitive or ultra-liberal, you probably do NOT want to read on. If you don’t take yourself too seriously, enjoy anecdotes, and can – most importantly – enjoy a good laugh at your own (and perhaps other’s) expense, then by all means..enjoy.
Over my career, I have encountered and had the pleasure to work with/manage/lead myriad types of staff. By “type,” I am referring mostly to approach/style (again, a generalization on my part). Of all these, there are a few general types that I have put in a box and put a title on – the “special” folks.
Type 1: Chicken Little: Pretty sure you know what I’m referring to here. These are folks that – for a wide range of reasons (both known and unknown) - always believe that the sky is falling. No matter the seriousness of the situation (or not), or whether or not their opinion/thoughts are being asked for, these folks will almost always take a microscopic molehill and make it Mt. Everest. They tend to lack that “take a breath” gene, or the ability to step back from a situation and approach it from an objective perspective. Finally, they are not solutions-oriented, but rather, are much more comfortable standing in the open, paralyzed, waiting for the sky to fall.
Type 2: Popeye: Retired military folks tend to fit into this category: I yam what I yam. You know what I’m saying here. These folks will go out of their way to let you know right upfront (whether you ask or not), that they do things a certain way, and if you don’t like it – oh well. While consulting as a rule is not a good place for the majority of these “types,’ there are notable exceptions. Specifically, if the person is/was senior enough, or respected enough in their field of pursuit, then they can and often times do get away with approaching work as a Popeye. As unbelievable as it is, some clients and executives actually LIKE it..feel that these folks are “straight shooters – call it like they see it.” The fact that the same approach and results can be generated sans the attitude doesn’t seem to matter to them. These are generally a good group of people – with exceptions of course.
Type 3: The Firefighter: These are the folks that you lean on/go to to get you out of trouble. They are exceedingly calm under pressure, and seem to thrive on heat. They have a natural leadership ability that shows itself in the most serious of crisis situations (but rarely at other times). They take direction from leadership well, but rarely require it. They seem to innately “get it” and don’t need a lot of coaching on what needs to be done and why. Every good manager and leader has at least one firefighter. If not, he/she needs to find one quickly.
Type 4: The Arsonist: These folks go out of their way, consciously or not, to create problems. They are “pot stirrers” and thrive on conspiracy and office intrigue, pouring the proverbial “gas on the fire”. They almost always appear collegial, uncommonly nice and ready/willing to listen to anyone’s problems. Once they have acquired the ‘scoop,’ they simply cannot help but to “share” with folks who have absolutely no business being in the know. Note: From time to time, a Firefighter is also an Arsonist..something to watch out for.
Type 5: Lucy in the Sky: These are your basic “strategic futurist/visionary” folks. They tend to be exceedingly bright, but have difficulty executing the most basic of life functions (i.e., keeping a calendar straight, following through on mundane tasks, etc.). There are two sub-types here – one of which is loaded with hubris. They truly believe they are “above it all” and are much too precious of a resource to be used in a real or operational way. The second sub-type are good-hearted, humble people who just can’t seem to function well…but always want to.
I have a handful of other types, but want to stop here and encourage everyone reading the blog to share. Specifically, tell us if you have ever worked with anyone that may fit into these categories. Also, share a few categories of your own (along with a brief description).
C’mon, don’t be shy…we’re all friends here..open up and share
Now, if you are sensitive or ultra-liberal, you probably do NOT want to read on. If you don’t take yourself too seriously, enjoy anecdotes, and can – most importantly – enjoy a good laugh at your own (and perhaps other’s) expense, then by all means..enjoy.
Over my career, I have encountered and had the pleasure to work with/manage/lead myriad types of staff. By “type,” I am referring mostly to approach/style (again, a generalization on my part). Of all these, there are a few general types that I have put in a box and put a title on – the “special” folks.
Type 1: Chicken Little: Pretty sure you know what I’m referring to here. These are folks that – for a wide range of reasons (both known and unknown) - always believe that the sky is falling. No matter the seriousness of the situation (or not), or whether or not their opinion/thoughts are being asked for, these folks will almost always take a microscopic molehill and make it Mt. Everest. They tend to lack that “take a breath” gene, or the ability to step back from a situation and approach it from an objective perspective. Finally, they are not solutions-oriented, but rather, are much more comfortable standing in the open, paralyzed, waiting for the sky to fall.
Type 2: Popeye: Retired military folks tend to fit into this category: I yam what I yam. You know what I’m saying here. These folks will go out of their way to let you know right upfront (whether you ask or not), that they do things a certain way, and if you don’t like it – oh well. While consulting as a rule is not a good place for the majority of these “types,’ there are notable exceptions. Specifically, if the person is/was senior enough, or respected enough in their field of pursuit, then they can and often times do get away with approaching work as a Popeye. As unbelievable as it is, some clients and executives actually LIKE it..feel that these folks are “straight shooters – call it like they see it.” The fact that the same approach and results can be generated sans the attitude doesn’t seem to matter to them. These are generally a good group of people – with exceptions of course.
Type 3: The Firefighter: These are the folks that you lean on/go to to get you out of trouble. They are exceedingly calm under pressure, and seem to thrive on heat. They have a natural leadership ability that shows itself in the most serious of crisis situations (but rarely at other times). They take direction from leadership well, but rarely require it. They seem to innately “get it” and don’t need a lot of coaching on what needs to be done and why. Every good manager and leader has at least one firefighter. If not, he/she needs to find one quickly.
Type 4: The Arsonist: These folks go out of their way, consciously or not, to create problems. They are “pot stirrers” and thrive on conspiracy and office intrigue, pouring the proverbial “gas on the fire”. They almost always appear collegial, uncommonly nice and ready/willing to listen to anyone’s problems. Once they have acquired the ‘scoop,’ they simply cannot help but to “share” with folks who have absolutely no business being in the know. Note: From time to time, a Firefighter is also an Arsonist..something to watch out for.
Type 5: Lucy in the Sky: These are your basic “strategic futurist/visionary” folks. They tend to be exceedingly bright, but have difficulty executing the most basic of life functions (i.e., keeping a calendar straight, following through on mundane tasks, etc.). There are two sub-types here – one of which is loaded with hubris. They truly believe they are “above it all” and are much too precious of a resource to be used in a real or operational way. The second sub-type are good-hearted, humble people who just can’t seem to function well…but always want to.
I have a handful of other types, but want to stop here and encourage everyone reading the blog to share. Specifically, tell us if you have ever worked with anyone that may fit into these categories. Also, share a few categories of your own (along with a brief description).
C’mon, don’t be shy…we’re all friends here..open up and share
Reader Comments (9)
I can see how these types play out...people do not always stick to type though so it is important to observe and adjust. For example, I am a "Lucy" and "Firefighter" combined. So I can dream and execute.
It's been my observation that bored firefighters become arsonists on occasion. And while firefighters are indeed, almost serene under pressure, when the pressure is off, they can drift -- don't have the ability to set and drive ordinary agendas, need that crisis to come alive.
Hey Mikey!
It was very interesting reading about these personality types, as I know a few of them! Unfortunately, the 'chicken little' is my boss! It's amazing how she is so intelligent medically speaking and I trust her judgment absolutely in this arena. BUT when it comes to 'the first snow flake of the season'... if you've ever heard the PEMCO Ins commercial about 'first snowfall freakout' - I swear they're talking about her! Any situation has the potential for disaster and she's counting on it!
The arsonist was 'let go' about a year or more ago - I didn't know her as well as most folks - wasn't impressed anyway 'cuz, being the work-oriented individual I am, really didn't see the value in this person who was all over the office being 'cute' and 'sweet' and everybody's friend..... but not DOING a damn thing!
Another one for your library: The Musician. This person spends a lot of time 'tooting' their own horn. If half the time spent telling everyone ALL they have to do in a day, was actually spend DOING all they have to do in a day - it wouldn't take near as much time! And watch out if they ask you how YOU'RE day is going - it's not that they really care how your day is going - but they're waiting for the opportunity to share how much MORE they have to do than you, or at least how they can understand you're feeling so behind, or fatigued, or whatever you may be feeling...... :)
Sis
I know a fella like that. The next level of analysis on these 'types' is the 'hybrid forms.' For example, the Firefighter-Arsonist, the Chicken Little-Firefighter, etc.).
Totally Agree- ref my response to Lisa's comment (exploring 'hyrid type's).
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