Happy Monday!
I hope you had a great weekend. Do you remember the old Duncan Donuts commercial with the guy who wakes up sleepy and says, “Time to make the donuts”. That’s exactly how I felt this morning!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwfrBbNo5Jg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0]
We have now discussed ways to increase productivity with Drivers, Expressives, and Amiables. This week, we will focus on improving productivity with Analyticals.
Analyticals, like Amiables, tend to be slow paced, detail oriented, and methodical. Like Drivers, Anayticals are also focused on results. They pride themselves on quality, thorough work and enjoy solving problems. The challenge is paralysis of analysis. Because of their need for detail, Analyticals have a tendency to work slowly and strive for perfection.
Too improve productivity with an Analytical:
1. Be on time. Anayticals view timeliness as a sign of credibility.
2. Give details. Like Amiables, Analtyicals want lots of information. If you really want to make their day, put the information in a spreadsheet! While Drivers and Expressives prefer an overview and summary, Analyticals want to know what, when, how, why, where, etc.
3. Provide timelines with milestones. Because Analtyicals are very detail oriented, it sometimes takes them longer to complete tasks. Provide a clear expectation of deadlines and needed results.
4. Be patient. If you are more of a Driver or Expressive, you are more than likely faster paced and more impatient than Amiables and Analyticals. Give Analyticals the time and space to process information, and remember, they tend to process internally, rather than externally.
5. Be prepared. Make sure you dot your “I’s” and cross your “T’s”. Demonstrate that you have taken the time to look at the information, and if you are trying to persuade them, show that you have looked at both sides of the issue.
6. Stick to business. Analyticals are not as “touchy feely” as Amiables and Expressives. Don’t expect over the top emotional reactions, and don’t get your feelings hurt if they don’t seem to be extremely relationship oriented. Again, Analyticals can have wonderful relationships, but when at work, they focus more on facts and results.
7. Don’t take it personally. Analtyicals may come across as skeptical or critical because of the way they probe and ask questions. Rather than get frustrated, recognize that they are gathering data and getting the details they need.
I’d love to know your thoughts and comments! Have you tried any of these techniques? What have been the results? Do you have any additional
suggestions? Leave a comment if you have a moment. (I’m Expressive, so I love the comments!)
Make it a wonderful week!
Dunkin Donuts, the blast from the past warms my heart and makes me a little hungry! The discussion/review on the style flex types has been perfect timing for me. I think you and I discussed this once before, but I would like to take the original test again, if you can guide me to that. Too, if you would let me know the cost to this – thanks Anne.
Anne,
Like Kathleen, this is a timely post. I am new manager and took one of your classes while participating in a management development program at my job. I am a Driver personality. The one thing I am finding difficulty is communicating effectively with each person’s personality type. I know that in order to be successful. I need to flex my style to meet their needs when they are given assignments. I plan to take this to my next team meeting.
Do you know of any personality tests that can be used with staff? Thanks!
Anne, I just attender your “Dealing with Difficult People” class, which was great. But, being an analytical, I have to point out an error in the above blog.
Instead of “Too improve productivity with an Analytical,” it should be “To improve productivity with an Analytical”.
😉
Ha! That’s hilarious. Good catch!