PeopleSmart in Business eBook - The Platinum Rule

Chapter 5
Problem solving in the workplace
As you read this chapter, think of specifi c individuals you know at
work who represent each of the four behavioral styles—Dominant Director,
Interacting Socializer, Steady Relater, and Cautious Th inker. How
can you apply what you learn about them to improve your working relationships
with each one? What are some characteristics that work to the
advantage of these people in their job performance? Which characteristics
work against them?
All jobs essentially involve diff erent types of problem-solving tasks that
have to be achieved to ensure satisfactory job performance. And, since
such job requirements diff er, so too does the degree of natural match
or fi t with your own preferred behavior pattern. As jobs become more
complex, they call for increased adaptability to fulfi ll these job expectations
which may be quite diff erent from your own sources of natural
inner motivation. Let’s look further at how adaptability is critical in infl
uencing these four behavior patterns. Th e graphic entitled “Our Problem-Solving
Work Styles” provides you with a summary illustration of
the four distinctly diff erent types of problem-solving approaches to your
daily work eff orts.
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On the Job