i thought this article on productivity styles was super interesting. the core of the ideas here is that we work - and therefore add value - in different ways. i pulled the most important parts and included them here but suggest reading the whole thing if you have a couple of minutes. one of my biggest work and life philosophies is that the better we get to know ourselves the happier and more productive we are. if you know what you need, where you get your energy, your strengths and weaknesses you are much better able to manage yourself, your energy and your time. so! take a look at carson tate's take on four types of productivity. like any of these personality-ish test type of things, it is simplified. of course there are more than four! but go along with it and see if any of them resonate with you. if you get one insight from identifying with one category more than another, it's worth it.
illustration by oscar ramos orozco
The Prioritizer
A Prioritizer is that guy or gal who will always defer to logical, analytical, fact-based, critical, and realistic thinking. To increase her efficiency, she will time how long it takes to complete certain tasks in order to more accurately plan her days and weeks. She has never met a goal she did not like and applies a laser-like focus to ensure she accomplishes her goals.
She is so focused on execution that she doesn’t spend much time or energy on how it is completed. At times she has a tendency to be controlling and rigid, and may be known in the office for her drive and competitiveness. She hates chit-chat, missing data, or oversharing of anything personal. Her emails often are only a few sentences or if possible, just a few letters.
Contributions to the team: Analyzing data; Critical analysis and logical problem solving; Goal orientation, consistency, and decisiveness
The Planner
The Planner is the team member who thrives on organized, sequential, planned, and detailed thinking. Though at first glance he may appear as a Prioritizer, the Planner will immerse themselves in the details of a project, while the Prioritizer focuses on only the details that help him complete the project quickly and accurately. The Planner has never met a calendar or project-planning tool that he did not like.
He is not known for his spontaneity, and in fact has missed opportunities due to his resistance to deviate from plans. He has been known to write something on his to-do list that has already been completed, just so he can cross it off. He thrives on schedules and action plans, and is known for his timely follow-ups. He wants you to get to the point; he’ll read the fine print himself later. He hates attending a meeting without an agenda. His emails are detailed, often including bullet points and clearly stated next-action steps.
Contributions to the team: Action orientation and practicality; Finding overlooked flaws in plans or processes; Organizing and maintaining data and project plans
The Arranger
An Arranger prefers supportive, expressive, and emotional thinking. She is the ultimate team player and excels at partnering with colleagues to get work done. She is a natural communicator and deftly facilitates project meetings. She hates when people lack that personal touch or rely too heavily on data or facts. Arrangers are talkers; they love stories, eye-to-eye contact, expressing concern for others, and asking questions about the way a project or task helps others. They have been known to need to institute a personal chat budget, only allowing a few minutes of chit chat during work hours, and have to avoid adding one more person to the cc: line on their email messages.
Contributions to the team: Anticipating how others will feel and understanding their underlying emotions; Facilitating team interaction; Persuading and selling ideas
The Visualizer
A Visualizer prefers holistic, intuitive, integrating, and synthesizing thinking. He thrives under pressure and is easily bored if he is not juggling multiple, diverse projects. A Visualizer focuses on the big-picture and broad concepts making connections. At times, he has a tendency to overlook details and tends to value the possibilities over process. His excessive spontaneity and impulsiveness can lead to breakthrough ideas, but can also derail project plans at times. A Visualizer has probably not seen the surface of their desk in years because if something is out of sight, it is out of mind. And, his emails tend to be long, filled with concepts and ideas.
Contributions to the team: Innovation; serving as a catalyst for change; Creative problem solving; Ability to envision the future, recognize new opportunities and integrate ideas and concepts
via swiss miss