Understanding Your Working Style

Everyone approaches work differently, and that’s what makes teams strong. Your working style is the unique way you tackle tasks and connect with others. Understanding it can help you play to your strengths, work better with your team, and find roles where you can thrive.

Knowing your working style can help you in three key ways:

• Discover your strengths and areas for growth
• Work better with others. When you understand your own style, it becomes easier to recognize and adapt to the styles of your co-workers and stakeholders
• Find the right fit for your future. Your working style can guide you toward roles and workplaces where you will feel confident and motivated

In short, understanding your working style is a powerful tool for building a successful and satisfying career.

The Four Working Styles

There are four widely recognised working styles. There is no right or wrong style, and many people identify with more than one. Each style brings unique value to a team.

Logical

Logical thinkers prefer working with data and facts. They use evidence to make decisions and are great problem solvers. They enjoy challenges and like to see projects through to completion. Logical workers are task-focused and communicate in a clear, concise way.

Detail-Oriented

Detail-oriented people excel at planning and preparation. They are highly organised and consider every possibility before moving forward. No detail is too small for them, and their thorough approach helps projects run smoothly.

Idea-Oriented

Idea-oriented individuals are big-picture thinkers. They are creative, visionary, and great at generating concepts that inspire others. They often make strong leaders because of their optimism and ability to motivate teams. However, they may need support with the finer details to turn ideas into reality.

Supportive

Supportive workers shine in collaboration. They build strong relationships, keep morale high, and help teams stay connected. They thrive on input from others and are excellent communicators. These individuals are often the glue that holds a team together.

What Is My Working Style?

To discover your working style, ask yourself:

• Do I prefer working alone or as part of a team?
• Am I more drawn to facts and data or ideas and concepts?
• Do I like detailed information or just the essentials?
• When starting a project, do I plan carefully or dive straight in?

Other ways to learn more include:

• Asking colleagues or friends for feedback on your strengths
• Taking an online quiz, such as the one by Idealist
• Exploring personality-based tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for deeper insights

Understanding your working style can help you choose roles that suit you, improve teamwork, and build confidence in your career decisions. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in your professional journey.