Work Styles:

Definitions, Traits & Examples (+Assessment)

A work style refers to how your personality, skills, and past experiences influence your approach to your job and working relationships. In any workplace, you are likely to see four main types appear: logical, supportive, detail-oriented, and idea-oriented. In this guide, you can learn more about each, plus take the free assessment to determine which of the four is your dominant work style.

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Introduction

Do you want to be more self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses? Would you like to communicate better, establish stronger working relationships, and collaborate more easily with those around you in the workplace? If so, you need to take a deep dive into work styles. 

Fortunately, this guide was created to help you do exactly that. Not only will you find a detailed explanation of each of the four main work styles, but you’ll also have the chance to take the free assessment to find out which is your dominant style. After you take the assessment and understand your work style better, take it a step further, and send it on to your boss and colleagues. By learning more about each other’s styles, you can begin to play to each other’s strengths and counteract each other’s weaknesses. Let’s begin.

 

What Is a Work Style?

By definition, a work style refers to how your personality, skills, and past experiences influence your approach to your job and working relationships. While you will likely have a dominant work style, it is common to adopt different styles depending on the situation. The four main work styles are logical, supportive, detail-oriented, and idea-oriented.

 

Assessment: What Is My Work Style?

With the help of this free working style assessment, you will find out what your dominant work style is. Once you have answered the questions and received your results, learn about the strengths, weaknesses, and traits of that style and the others so you can begin to work more effectively independently and as a teammate. 

 

 

Logical Work Style

The logical work style is defined by one’s ability to think analytically, solve problems, process information/data, and promptly take action. Someone whose working style is logical is often considered to be a “doer.” They think in a linear way, and when they are faced with a challenge or complex problem, they don’t shy away from it, but rather they face it head-on. They’re intensely focused on achieving their goal and will see it through from start to finish, as they are driven by the desire to see tangible results. 

 

Traits of the Logical Work Style

Here are six common traits that those whose dominant work style is logical will exhibit: 

  1. Analytical
  2. Driven
  3. Focused
  4. Rational
  5. Methodical
  6. Goal-Oriented

6 Traits of the Logical Work Style (1)

 

Potential Weaknesses of the Logical Work Style

While the go-getter attitude of someone with a logical work style can be an asset, it can also cause problems, such as poor communication and lack of planning or preparation. Moreover, they can become bored, demotivated, and disengaged if they do not feel adequately challenged by their work or do not have enough of it. 

 

Examples of the Logical Work Style

Whether the logical work style is your dominant work style or not, there are certain situations in the workplace where it can be more beneficial than others. In fact, here are a few examples of when it is beneficial to adopt the logical work style: 

  • Tight Timelines: When time is of the essence, and something needs to be done, someone who adopts the logical work style will jump into action and become intensely focused on the work at hand in order to meet the defined deadline.

  • Complex Problem-Solving: In situations with complex problems, someone with a logical work style will think analytically and linearly to come up with a solution that works for everyone.

  • Process Improvement: If there’s a process that needs to be improved, someone with a logical work style will identify what is working and what isn’t by analyzing data, information, and facts.

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Supportive Work Style

The supportive work style is defined by one’s emotional intelligence, strong communication skills, and people-centric approach. They make an intentional effort to build relationships based on mutual trust and respect and are always willing to lend a hand when it's needed. It is because of the connections and rapport they build that they can influence and inspire others to agree with them, follow their lead, or take action. Moreover, they will consider the feelings, perspectives, and opinions of others when making a decision and make every attempt to establish consensus among their team or restore harmony.

 

Traits of the Supportive Work Style

Here are six common traits that those whose dominant work style is supportive will exhibit: 

  1. Empathetic
  2. Diplomatic
  3. Emotionally Intelligent
  4. Sociable
  5. Helpful
  6. Expressive

6 Traits of the Supportive Work Style (1)

 

Potential Weaknesses of the Supportive Work Style

The people-centric approach of someone with a supportive work style can be an asset, but it can also mean that they struggle in formal environments where it is difficult to establish a personal connection or have open, honest two-way conversations. Additionally, it is because of their desire to find a solution that works for everyone equally that they may struggle to make quick, assertive decisions. 

 

Examples of the Supportive Work Style

Whether the supportive work style is your dominant work style or not, there are certain situations in the workplace where it can be more beneficial than others. In fact, here are a few examples of when it is beneficial to adopt the supportive work style: 

  • Resolving Conflict: One situation where the supportive work style is particularly beneficial is during a conflict at work. In this type of situation, having someone who is willing to listen to all perspectives and opinions in order to find a win-win solution and restore harmony can prevent the conflict from escalating and negatively impacting productivity or working relationships.

  • Encouraging Collaboration: Collaboration doesn’t always just happen in the workplace. Sometimes it needs to be someone to encourage it. Fortunately, someone with a supportive work style can rally a team together and encourage them to make a team effort.

  • Working with Internal and External Customers: The strong emotional intelligence and communication skills that are trademarks of the supportive work style are essential to customer service, whether the customers are within the organization or outside of it.

 

Detail-Oriented Work Style

The detail-oriented work style is defined by one’s attention to detail, organization, and ability to establish order and stability out of chaos. They thrive at conducting research, creating plans, and staying organized and in control of their time. They are eager to follow set rules, processes, and procedures and rarely make mistakes, given their detail-oriented nature. However, their need for accuracy can make them cautious. This means that when it comes to taking risks, they will thoroughly think through the benefits and potential drawbacks before agreeing to move forward.

 

Traits of the Detail-Oriented Work Style

Here are six common traits that those whose dominant work style is detail-oriented will exhibit: 

  1. Meticulous
  2. Organized
  3. Methodical
  4. Reliable
  5. Diligent
  6. Careful

6 Traits of the Detail-Oriented Work Style (1)

 

Potential Weaknesses of the Detail-Oriented Work Style

Like all other work styles, while the detail-oriented work style can be beneficial, it can also lead to problems. First, in their attention to detail, this person may get too caught up in it and become unable to see the bigger picture or gain perspective. It can also make them more prone to burnout and make them more likely to micromanage others. Moreover, given their preference for stability, they can exhibit strong resistance to change or aversion to risk. 

 

Examples of the Detail-Oriented Work Style

Whether the detail-oriented work style is your dominant work style or not, there are certain situations in the workplace where it can be more beneficial than others. In fact, here are a few examples of when it is beneficial to adopt the detail-oriented work style: 

  • Project Management: With their attention to detail, ability to stay organized, and create stability for their team, someone with the detail-oriented work style makes an ideal project manager.

  • Double Checking and Editing: When dealing with an important document or presentation that cannot have any errors, someone with a detail-oriented work style is the type of person to double-check it for errors and catch any mistakes.

  • Training: If someone needs to be trained on a process or procedure, such as a new hire who is being onboarded, it is a good idea to have someone with a detail-oriented work style train them. This is because they will pay close attention to every step in the process and even catch mistakes that can then be corrected early on.

 

Idea-Oriented Work Style

The idea-oriented work style is defined by one’s ability to see the big picture and think strategically. They have the ability to translate and communicate their goals or vision in a motivating, inspirational way that unites people to take action. This makes them particularly strong leaders and change agents. They are the type of person who is motivated by challenging, lofty goals, and where others may see a roadblock, they see an opportunity. Additionally, someone with an idea-oriented work style is a creative problem-solver and is not afraid to take a calculated risk or make improvements if it means greater success and growth.

 

Traits of the Idea-Oriented Work Style

Here are six common traits that those whose dominant work style is idea-oriented will exhibit: 

  1. Strategic
  2. Visionary
  3. Ambitious
  4. Influential
  5. Resilient
  6. Compelling

6 Traits of the Idea-Oriented Work Style (1)

 

Potential Weaknesses of the Idea-Oriented Work Style

One thing to be aware of when it comes to the idea-oriented work style is that the person may tend to overlook the details, as their focus is typically fixed on the big picture. They can also struggle to translate their ideas into action, which means that they need to work with people, such as someone whose work style is detail-oriented, to make those ideas a reality.

 

Examples of the Idea-Oriented Work Style

Whether the idea-oriented work style is your dominant work style or not, there are certain situations in the workplace where it can be more beneficial than others. In fact, here are a few examples of when it is beneficial to adopt the idea-oriented work style: 

  • Leadership: Today’s leaders need to adopt many of the qualities of the idea-oriented work style, from their ability to unite people around a common goal to their ability to focus on the larger perspective among the chaos of the day-to-day tactics.

  • Change Management: Change in the workplace is always difficult, which is why it can help to have someone whose work style is idea-oriented in place to communicate the vision in a way that eases resistance and ultimately motivates action.

  • Innovation: In situations where you need an innovative solution or a new idea, someone with an idea-oriented work style will thrive as they use to tap into their creativity to think outside the box.

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