Reflections

Over 35+ years in my chosen profession of Architecture and Design around the globe, I may have come across over a thousand people who have made my life more fulfilling, at times frustrating, and mostly fun. There have been the quirky ones, devious ones, and funny ones. So, as a humorous sidebar, and a walk down memory lane, I frequently recall the very many personality types I have encountered over the years, and I am sure you have run across these characters and personalities in your career too. And they either bring a smile to your face or make you cringe. Also, although the descriptions generally tend to be male, they are not meant to be gender-specific.

Many personality types have been diagnosed via tests such as Myers-Briggs, and DISC behavioral tests. But these are more clinical, psychology-based, and developed to neatly package people into distinct groups. The traits identified below are more humorous or irritating..... a vast difference. See how many types you recognize.

The Smart and Lazy

These are people who are generally CEO material later in life. They are incredibly smart, resourceful, easily bored, and always wanting to take constructive and creative shortcuts and risks as they are achingly frustrated with tasks that scream tediousness. Ensure that you follow their lead.

The Effete

They are the ones who get away with doing nothing. They talk a good line, but there’s never any product. They pretend to be a leader but are always ineffective and never really lead. The George Costanzas of the lot.

The Comic Punner

He’s one who incessantly cracks a joke within every sentence and is a master of Puns. He’s generally a skeptic, cynic, and a stand-up comic, all rolled into one. He’s very talented and affable but also highly irritating during deadlines and urgencies.

The Blatherer

A cousin of The Punner, they have the gift of the gab and will use ponderous words and lengthy sentences where a simple yes or no may suffice. Most likely, also the office gossip.

The Judas

They are generally very smart but strategically servile to a higher authority and who will point fingers or throw you under the bus at the drop of a hat. The buck is always passed on and they assume no responsibility for things that go awry on their watch. They always feel misconstrued but continue their devious ass-kissing strategies to the detriment of co-workers and underlings.

The Repeater

They are the ones without an original thought and generally repeat what you have just said, albeit in different words. The Effete’s second cousin

The Deferent

They always obsequiously defer to authority and will gladly go down rabbit holes because someone superior or a client perfunctorily suggested a dubious direction. They generally don’t question the logic and resources it may take to achieve an objective, generally at severe personal cost.

The Strategist

They always have their finger on the pulse, have been through the school of hard knocks, are politically savvy and nimble, have an agenda and personal compensation at stake, and may have the makings of a leader. On the flip side, there’s a certain ruthlessness and nonchalance in their behavioral DNA and a “go f.ck yourself” attitude

The Go-With-the-Flow

They are team players but with little or no original contribution. They willingly do the grunt work, are happy to spend all-nighters, and should definitely be part of everyone’s team.

The Procrastinator

This is the guy who never meets deadlines, is stretched too thin, and has accepted too many commitments that generally end up without resolution. Nice guy, but painful to work with on time-sensitive assignments.

The Devious

Deviousness doesn’t always have to have a negative connotation. Often, it’s a creative way to bend rules, redefine accepted norms, and achieve results through imagination, intimidation, and a risk-taking attitude. A sibling of the Smart and Lazy

The Fastest Gun

Speed of accomplishment is their characteristic achievement as well as failure. Generally, a no-nonsense type, highly knowledgeable, and tremendously impatient. Often also condescending and holier than thou, but frustratingly effective in what they do.

And then there are The Stubborn, The Clueless, The Know-it-All, The Teflon Coated, The Always Lucky, and I am sure many more, but that’s fodder for a future post. Suggestions welcome!