Directors
Directors are Fast Paced and Task Orientated. They want to know the estimated outcome of each option, are willing to accept risks, want to move quickly and have the final say. In relationships, they may appear uncommunicative, independent and competitive. Directors tend to focus on efficiency or productivity rather than devoting time and attention to casual relationships. They rarely share personal motives or feelings, tend to initiate action and give clear direction while seeking control over their environment.
Directors tend to gravitate toward the following positions: the hard driving journalist, the stock-broker, the CEO, the independent consultant, and the drill sergeant!
Socializers
Socializers are Fast Paced and People Orientated. They are motivated by recognition and prestige. They move Spontaneously, continually excited about the next big idea, but they often don’t commit to specific plans or see things through to completion. Socializers enjoy taking risks and when making decisions, they tend to rely on the opinions of prominent people rather than in logic or research. They consider relationships important but their competitive nature leads them to seek quieter friends that support of their dreams and ideas, often making relationships short-lived.
Socializers tend to gravitate toward the following positions: sales, public relations, advertising, show business, cruise ship social directors, hotel and restaurant personnel and glamorous, high-profile careers.
Relaters
Relaters are Slower Paced and People Orientated. They care more about close Relationships than results or influence. They appear warm, friendly and collaborative. Relaters tend to move slowly with a low time discipline, minimizing risk and often using personal opinions to arrive at decisions. Acceptance and belonging to a group are their primary needs. They prefer to achieve goals cooperatively, rather than force and authority. When managed by force without relationship, Relaters appear to cooperate initially but will likely lack commitment to the objectives and may later resist implementation.
The types of jobs that reflect a Relater’s behavior are; nurse, counselor, psychologist, social worker, teacher, minister, and human resource development.
Thinkers
Thinkers are Slower Paced and Task Orientated. They value facts, making them very Analytical, and may appear uncommunicative, cool and independent. They have a strong time discipline coupled with a slow pace to action. They value accuracy, competency and logic over opinions, avoid risks and make cautious, deliberate decisions. Thinkers are cooperative, providing they have the liberty to organize their efforts. Power often arises suspicion in Thinkers, but if they see it as necessary for achieving goals they may seek power themselves. In relationships, Thinkers are cautious and reserved, but once trust is established they can become dedicated and loyal.
Thinkers tend to gravitate toward the following positions: engineers, statisticians, scientists, doctors, accountants, computer programmers, airline pilots, and tax attorneys.
Which Behavioral Style is best?
The answer is none and all. Asking which style is best is like asking which color is best- red, blue, yellow or green. There is no “best.” Each has its unique strengths as well as opportunities for continued improvement and growth. In fact, we all possess each of the Behavioral Styles to one degree or another, however we each have a dominate style.