Too Busy for Your Own Good (37 page)

Sociables
. You two can talk and laugh the day away, getting
nothing
done. You each want to be queen of the castle, so careful with the competition. Set time limits
on your interactions and be vigilant about staying off the topic of gossip.

Team Players
. You might find yourself irritated at their wishy-washiness or their consistent, even moods, but this can be an HVC. They will keep you grounded and more productive by their constancy and model how to be kind and considerate.

Perfectionists
. You might find them boring and uncreative and consider them a nitpicker, nag, or stick-in-the-mud. They seem to waste your time by bugging you for details, facts, and accuracy. Be a little less playful and talkative with them and stop trying to make them light, playful, or less serious.

If you are a Team Player, here's how you work with . . .

Drivers
. You might think this person has perfected BSing to an art form. However, this working relationship can be an HVC. They will stand up for you when you're both on the same page and be your protector. If you need help from them, be prepared to prove your value. Ignore any of their bluntness and don't take it personally.

Sociables
. This person will challenge your time lines and schedule, but they are a positive force with their energy and optimism. Get their commitments in writing, set false deadlines with wiggle room, and use their wild and unique creativity.

Team Players
. You are suspicious of their loyalty to others in a position of authority and their don't-make-waves policy. Working closely with them can be an HVC because they are from the same “Planet Good” as
you—being fair, flexible, and agreeable. Show interest in their personal life and goals and be specific about what you want and need from them.

Perfectionists
. You might feel that these people take pleasure in making you as busy as possible, but this can be an HVC. Their need for details, documentation, and lack of emotion makes work so much
work
. Give up trying to make them more cheerful, and use them to focus on the task. When you do exactly what you said you would and answer questions as specifically as possible, they'll make you look like a star.

If you are a Perfectionist, here's how you work with . . .

Drivers
. These people drive you wild (pun intended) with their laissez-faire attitude toward details and their need for speed. They make more work for you because you believe that lack of attention to the fine print will be the downfall of the company. Move quickly through your points, be prepared to prove the value of your logic, and attempt to be flexible with resolutions.

Sociables
. You might consider this talkative social butterfly a loose cannon. Sometimes you might even just want them to quiet down and go away. They are sensitive to the emotion behind your words, so be careful that you don't speak in a condescending or dismissive manner. When they ask, limit the amount of details you give them and be prepared for conclusions or decisions that you may never have even thought of.

Team Players
. This relationship can be an HVC if you take the lead. Searching for a consensus and wanting authorities' support, these people often submit to the most forceful person, regardless of who's correct. When you prove your point by showing that the authorities are on board, they will be your greatest champion.

Perfectionists
. This can be an HVC because you see the world identically and think (not feel) that you've found a kindred spirit. But you two can lose
whole days
getting lost in all that information and all those details. Set a timetable, have benchmarks for completion of each section or project;
someone
needs to draw some conclusions.