Personality types at the office

Nizar al Musalmy -

nizar.nmh.musalmy@gmail.com -

During my last year’s performance review, my boss accused me of not doing much at the office. He said that all I do is just going around and observe other employees on what they do and how they behave.

I did not argue much with him about my performance but indeed if you deeply look into the behaviors and habits of employees around our workplace, you will learn so much. It is like an open university!

At this place where I work, we have staffs that are serious and quiet. These are extremely thorough in their job, responsible, and dependable.

They usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it. These seem to be loyal to their peers and to their internal value systems, but not overly concerned with respecting laws and rules.

We also have those who are kind and conscientious. Usually; you see them putting the needs of others above their own needs. Stable and practical, they value security and traditions. These are extremely perceptive of other’s feelings and fond of wanting to serve others. They do not like conflict, and not likely to do things which may generate conflict. They are also not interested in leading or controlling others.

The other common types are those who tend to stick to things until they are done. They have a well-developed value system which they strictly adhere to. You will see these types extremely loyal and adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened.

Then we have those who like to be Independent. With their analytical minds, they are determined to turn theories into solid plans of action. Their long-range thinking capacity drives them to derive meaning from their visions. These are natural followers, but will follow if they trust existing leaders.

Quite a good number of people here are friendly, adaptable and action-oriented. These are people-oriented and fun-loving staffs — they make things more fun for others by their enjoyment.

Living for the moment, they love new experiences. They are interested in serving others and are always seen to be the center of attention in social gatherings. They are warm-hearted, popular, and conscientious human beings. They tend to be externally focused, with real concern for how others think and feel.

There are also those who have great skills and do almost anything that interests them. They choose to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. They are open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities.

Then we have members who are creative, resourceful, and intellectually quick. They enjoy debating issues and get very excited about new ideas and projects, but may neglect the more routine aspects of life.

They have an excellent ability to understand concepts and apply logic to find solutions. You see these as Intelligent and well-informed, they usually excel at public speaking. They value knowledge and competence, and usually have little patience with inefficiency or disorganization.

We also have colleagues who report to work every day yet they are sick and tired of their work. Some of them are so desperate that they want to relinquish their positions. Others arrive very late at their workplaces every day.

Others constantly take a good nap after lunch. They find a place somewhere and enjoy that kind of cat sleep.

Others run their own private business from the company’s premises. They use the company’s facilities like photocopier, printer and computer. They make private calls on office lines. Others come to office to wait for the time to go home.

Lastly, we have few colleagues who seem to have a living aspiration to entertain other employees, primarily to make them laugh. The moment you see these colleagues, you start to laugh.

The look on everyone’s face does little to hide the expectation; that of a funny story. Every time they open their mouths, they are sure to get a number of eager listeners. It does not matter whether their stories are true or false, what matters is the fact that they make us laugh especially after a hard day at work.

Have a nice weekend!