There are many ways to categorize people and personalities. Here is one
method I really like because it’s simple and straightforward.
Of these four personality-related statements, which one best describes you?
- I must be liked.
- I must be comfortable.
- I must be right.
- I must win.
To me, these four pretty much sum up the cast of characters running around
this planet. Most people can recognize themselves as one of these four.
In the World of Business
How does this apply in the world of entrepreneurship? The reality is that
you need all four personality types in a business. Each one has his or her
place. No one is better than the other--unless you are an "I must be right."
Then, of course, you are the only one that counts.
I must be liked: These are the social directors of the world. They
want to make sure everyone is happy and, specifically, that everyone is happy
with them. They can be great with personnel. They please people, they don’t
anger or upset easily, and they are often the go-betweens who want to keep the
peace when upsets occur.
Their downfall? They tend to avoid confrontation and conflict, so they often
don’t say what they need to say. They skirt around the truth when something
unpleasant needs to be said. They follow the advice many of our mothers gave us,
"If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all." Just
think of Charlie Brown.
I must be comfortable: These people want job security. They are happy
to go to work each day and do a good job. They are reliable and predictable.
You can count on them to show up and deliver what you ask of them. They are also
often the least-stressed people in the company.
What are they missing? Don’t expect an "I must be comfortable" to stretch
himself or herself very far. They don’t like to push themselves. They don’t
respond well to pressure or to seemingly impossible deadlines. Garfield the cat
comes to mind.
I must be right: Courtroom attorneys fill the bill here. These people
are strong in their opinions and convictions. They will defend their ideas to
the death. Because of this, they often study quite a bit to back up their points
of view. What’s most important is that they be seen as smart.
The number-one disadvantage: These people can be closed-minded, not wanting
to consider other points of view. The strictest "I must be right" person has a
hard time learning and growing because he or she often needs to have all the
answers. Archie Bunker is a classic.
I must win: Behind every hugely successful business or company you
will most likely find an "I must win" in charge. Think of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates
and Mary Kay Ash. These people play to win. The Tiger Woods and Joe Montanas of
the world must win. The "I must wins" have a drive and tenacity to be the best,
the biggest or the richest. Their ideas are often challenged because they don’t
do things the way most people do. So if you are an entrepreneur or a business
owner, then an "I must win" attitude is what you want. If you don’t have it,
then find someone who does.
Where’s the weak link? Have you heard the saying, "The end justifies the
means?" Some "I must wins" will do whatever it takes to get to the top. Many
politicians fit this category.
In the World of Investing
You’ll find the same cast of characters in the investing world. An "I
must be liked" will want to be sure the tenants are happy, the investors are
happy and the neighbors are happy--even if he or she is going broke.
The "I must be comfortables" will never invest in a risky startup company.
Mutual funds, bonds and a few shares of stock are more their speed.
The "I must be rights" will tell you when they made money, but never when
they lost money.
And you can count on the “I must win” to make the deal work or go out in a
blaze of glory--even dragging a few bodies with him or her if necessary.
Who is on Your Team?
Knowing whether you are an "I must be liked," an "I must win," an "I must
be comfortable" or an "I must be right" can explain your motivations for doing
what you do--and your frustrations when you don’t do what you think you should
do. If you are an entrepreneur, who is on your team? Are you the one wanting to
win but pushing Mr. I-must-be-comfortable to score the touchdown, when he’s
afraid of bruising his elbow? Do you have Ms. I-must-be-right in charge of
negotiations? Do you wonder why all the Ms. I-must-be-likeds agree with
everything you say and never push back?
People can be the hardest part of business, yet business teaches us so much
about who we are as people. So enjoy whomever you must be!