When it comes to running your business – whether it’s sales, customer relationships, finding new staff, or business-to-business transactions – you’ve got to have the right personality. It’s all about the business attitude.
It’s a common misconception that all great businesspeople need to be ambitious, aggressive and fast-paced. There are certainly some industries that require those traits, but many other fields need someone who can be introspective and methodical.
There are four types of business personalities: the Thinker, the Socializer, the Relator, and the Director. See which one fits you best – knowing your sales/management personality will help you recognize your strengths and improve areas of weakness.
The Thinker Attitude
- Analytical, persistent, orderly & scheduled
- Slower-paced & task-oriented
- Serious or reserved demeanor
- Focuses on facts rather than feelings
- Very disciplined when supervising (note: not a disciplinarian, but is very principaled)
The Socializer Attitude
- Playful, sociable & animated
- Fast-paced & relationship-oriented
- Gestures frequently (“talks with her hands”)
- When supervising people, does so in a personal manner (knows everyone’s first name, life outside work, gives tailored feedback)
The Relator Attitude
- Adaptable, tolerant & diplomatic
- Slower-paced & relationship-oriented
- Less forceful when sharing opinions, making requests or giving directions
- Speaks & moves at a slower, softer pace
- Acts as a mediator or calming force in tense situations
The Director Attitude
- Adventurous, persuasive, strong-willed & self-reliant
- Fast-paced & relationship-oriented (like the Socializer)
- Speaks louder & more intensely than most
- Takes risks
- Maintains consistent eye contact and values honesty
You might be straddling the fence between two of these types. That’s okay! Occasionally your professional life might call for you to be a Thinker with your coworkers and a Socializer with your clients. Don’t be afraid to adapt your business attitude to fit the current situation.
