Summary. Work styles are the way that employees prefer to work when left to their own devices. This includes both how they complete tasks and how they communicate with other members of their team, as well as management.
There are many different ways to measure different work styles, as shown by the myriad of different work personality tests. That means that labels for different work styles vary and can be confusing. However, certain traits and features tend to be shared by the majority of people.
Key Takeaways:
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Someone’s work style is how they prefer to do their jobs and communicate with their coworkers. This can be whether they prefer to work alone, as part of a team, or have a hybrid approach. Different people prefer more or less communication as well, which is part of their work style.
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There are several ways to find out what someone’s work style is. They include: asking them, having them take a personality test, observing them, and having a discussion about how they handle projects – particularly as part of a group.
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Work styles are tied to personality, and a person’s personality determines the best and most comfortable way for them to work. Learning more about their personality can help them know how best to work.
What Is a Work Style?
A work style is the way that an employee prefers to get their work done and communicate professionally. There are myriad different categories to describe different preferred styles. While there’s a lot of overlap in the different descriptions, there isn’t really a generally accepted list of work styles.
That being said, most employees tend to fall either into being sociable, strictly work-focused, creative, or by the numbers. However, there are a lot of other factors to consider, such as how they prefer to communicate and how different work styles may interact with one another.
How Do You Determine Someone’s Work Style?
Finding out how employees prefer to work can be a way to improve productivity and increase team cohesion. Different people have different preferences, and sometimes that can cause miscommunication or friction. Here are some ways to determine employee’s work styles:
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Ask. While this may seem excessively obvious, sometimes it’s the easiest solution that’s overlooked. While the employee may not be able to define it in a category that you’re familiar with, they’ll be able to tell you their preferences in terms of work and communication, as well as give examples of what was effective for them.
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Personality test. Offering personality tests is one way to determine how someone prefers to work. There are several different tests that are used specifically for this purpose. It can also help you to create an environment that is ideal for different types of workers. Well-known tests include:
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Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This might currently be the best-known work personality test. It makes a determination on personality by measuring four factors: introversion/extroversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. There are 16 possible personality types out of this.
Be aware that many of the terms aren’t exactly synonymous with the way they’re used in the vernacular. You’re going to have to go by the description in the test itself. Taking this test gives you an idea of what circumstances the employee prefers and excels in.
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Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Instead of the sixteen personality types, this test has five major categories: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, often turned into the acronym OCEAN. How closely you align with each trait can help you understand your work style.
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SHL Occupation Personality Questionnaire. Unlike the others, this test is specifically designed for determining work traits. It has questions that reflect how your personality informs your work style and can help lead to a better understanding of how you work and interact with coworkers.
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DISC. In many ways, this test is similar to Myers-Briggs in that it breaks it down into categories – dominance, influence, consciousness, and steadiness – then sees how closely you align with them. There are 12 different personality types that can be determined by this test.
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Discuss how they handle projects. While this is a part of asking, it’s not necessarily a bad idea to have the team discuss how they like to handle projects. You don’t want it to devolve into an argument about how to handle projects, but more of just a way to explain to one another how they like to work and communicate.
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Observe how they work. Paying attention to your employees is an excellent way to learn about their work style. If given a chance, people will automatically gravitate towards the way that is the most natural and effective for them. That means that observing them will clue you into how they act while working alone and as a team.
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Encourage different styles. This may seem odd, but it’s important to let workers know that there’s no one right way to work. Some workers may have been forced to work in a way that isn’t ideal for them due to the fact that the company culture rewards it over other types of work styles.
That means that encouraging people to work in the way that’s most natural to them will lead to you learning what their actual work style is. Many people likely won’t change, but there will be a few who have more unusual work styles that will become more effective.
Work Style FAQ
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What does your work style say about your personality?
Work Style and personality are closely tied together. As a rule, your work style is a reflection of your personality. For instance, if you prefer to do solitary work, you’re much more likely to be more introverted or analytical than if you prefer to work as part of a team.
Of course, there’s no one size fits all. Even personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs, have a range within the personality types. That being said, learning about your work style can help you learn about your personality – and vice versa.
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How do you adjust your management style to match employee work style?
The main way to adjust your management style to suit your employee’s work style is to be open and approachable.
Management styles have quite a bit of variance as well, and it’s likely that you’ll have one you prefer. But being flexible, responsive, and listening to employee comments and suggestions can make it easier for everyone to work together.
Author
Di Doherty
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
