What's Your Management Personality?

You’re a sprinter - you are prone to sudden bursts of energy and inspiration, leaving you running miles ahead of your company. By setting the pace, you give your employees someone to look to for guidance, but sometimes forget to wait for them to catch up with you. Regardless of where you’re standing at the moment, you care deeply about providing a solid working environment for everyone.

Strengths: You’re always one step ahead, so you are well-prepared for what’s around the corner.

Weaknesses: Sometimes your speed can leave others in the dust – try to give everyone the chance to match your pace!

Top tip: Regularly take stock of where your team mates are – look over your shoulder to make sure no one gets left behind, and your business can keep charging forwards.

You’re a weightlifter - you’re shouldering the weight of the whole company on your shoulders. You’re all over every aspect of the business, from finding new business to strategy and everything in between. Although this means you’re extremely knowledgeable about your business, it’s not an endurance sport. Take a coffee break once in a while and share the load with a trusted colleague - you’ll be amazed the difference it might make. 

Strengths: You have an excellent understanding of all the operations within your company, more so than anyone else.

Weaknesses: Not being able to delegate can lead you to burn out very quickly.

You’re an archer - your eye is on the future vision of the company and the targets required for the sharpest way to get there with the least amount of fuss. You understand that nurturing your business requires you and your employees to be motivated, inspired and happy in their work. But remember that your focus on future events shouldn’t take your eye away from the important day-to-day office matters.

Strengths: Knowing exactly what the business requires in order to meet targets and grow.

Weaknesses: Hitting targets can mean that you are more of a sole player and not as in tune with the day-to-day, which can have an effect on reaching the goals you set.

Top tips: Make short and long terms plans that the entire business understands, so that all employees can work cohesively together to hit the targets and allow for a more balanced work and home life.

You’re a pole vaulter - you are constantly raising the bar for you and your business. You’re an excellent delegator, preferring to focus on strategy rather than the day-to-day. You might be faced with increasingly difficult challenges but you soar over them with the confidence of someone who has prepared their whole life for this - but don’t forget that someone has to look after the minor detail of day-to-day.

Strengths: You could take any business to stratospheric heights - you thrive at what you do.

Weaknesses: Remember, you can only delegate so much to your team in order to meet your ever demanding targets.

Top tip: Realistic target setting with your senior team is a way of understanding how much the company can actually give you in order to meet your ever-rising targets. In the wake of your strong ambition, the pole vaulter needs to be careful that no team member gets left behind.

You’re a decathlete - when faced with what seems like an insurmountable challenge, you dedicate your whole life to overcoming it. Sometimes you’re not sure where work ends and home begins, but it’s worth it for that feeling of satisfaction at the end. You’re an all-rounder, as happy hands-on with your team as you are sitting in your office thinking up big picture strategies. However, you still need to employ experts in their fields to get the job done.

Strengths: Rolling up your sleeves and mucking in with your company is how you get things done, and you are much respected for it.

Weaknesses: You cannot be an expert in everything, which may in the long term have an effect on your business strategy.

Top tip: You are adept at being that person in the workplace that everyone can relate to, but a business leader mentor to help you take on more leadership qualities could take you to the next level.