4 Clever Ways Analyst Personality Types Make a Fresh Start at Work

Entering a new workplace (or returning after a long absence, like working from home) can be exciting but stressful. It’s also a fresh start – a supersmart opportunity to show your best qualities and build a sense of belonging with your coworkers.

Obviously, you’ve got unique knowledge and abilities that guide you at work. Insight into personality types enhances that by helping you see yourself more objectively. A fresh start requires a fresh approach, so why not reexamine what works best for you and what you might do differently?

Today I’m covering Analyst personality types: Architects (INTJ), Logicians (INTP), Commanders (ENTJ), and Debaters (ENTP). The most successful Analysts have outstanding approaches that draw on their personality traits – and we (I’m an Architect) can learn from that. So, fellow Analysts, let’s consider how the strengths of our Role group can help us take a fresh step into work.

Analyst Traits in the Workplace

What’s it like to work with an Analyst personality? What’s it like to be around me?

That’s a question that more Analysts could ask themselves. Sometimes turning our analytical scrutiny on ourselves is a fresh start in itself. We often focus on facts, ideas, and clever methods. Those things can be a cornerstone of success, but a workplace is filled with people, and that human element matters a lot.

The rationality of the Thinking trait and the vision of the Intuitive trait are what make us Analysts (fist bump!). How we present those qualities can have a big impact on others – and on our careers. Pursuing task-related goals and productivity to the exclusion of feelings is common in some workplaces but, ironically, it can limit our progress. Emotional awareness is a valuable performance tool. (Now there’s a statement worthy of an Analyst, eh?)

Our “Emotional Intelligence” survey is a smart way to assess yourself. It takes about a minute, and you can compare your results with other people who share your personality type, as well as all other types.

The most successful Analysts seem to take a balanced approach to expressing their personality traits in the workplace. Putting an emphasis on interpersonal connection and mutual morale, alongside classic technical and intellectual goals, works very well for these personality types. This balance lowers stress and helps them be effective at their job – and they tend to be regarded favorably.

Of course, it’s not always practical to spend lots of time and energy connecting with people when you need to focus on your work, is it? Well, certain Analysts take approaches that infuse appropriate workflow with the kind of positivity that gets them noticed and appreciated. Let’s look at a few of these habits.

4 Workplace Habits of Successful Analysts

1. Asking and Listening

Many Analysts set themselves up for success by listening respectfully to people before offering an opinion, trying an idea, or getting involved in something. It’s a gesture of humility that helps them apply their capability and confidence without seeming arrogant or pushy. Gathering information before acting also helps them choose the best possible course. It opens doors to opportunity and helps ensure that they’re welcome when they step forward.

2. Turning Critical Thinking into Beneficial Action

Analysts examine everything they see and hear – often with innovative results. The ones who promptly turn those observations into curative action tend to be highly regarded in the workplace. It’s helpful to cleverly point out how something could be done, but it’s masterful to go do it in a way that benefits everyone. It’s hard to argue with good results, and people like an eager, cheerful problem-solver.

3. Accepting Emotion

Really sharp Analysts respect feelings as an intrinsic part of working. By expecting emotional responses in themselves and others, they accomplish more and stay happier. Their awareness helps them maintain self-control when they’re upset and support others who are upset. Feelings are a universal language. Approaching them logically lets Analysts speak that language in their own way rather than being deaf to a conversation that’s going on anyway.

4. Visualizing Success

Analyst personality types excel at seeing future potentials, and prosperous Analysts tend to focus on the positive possibilities more than the negative ones. Optimistic energy helps keep them from falling into a risk-averse reaction mode that stifles their creativity. And when they have a goal in mind, they map out the rough steps to get there. Everything may not go as planned, but seeing the path makes it easier to move forward.

Reflections

We have obvious hopes and goals when stepping into a workplace – we want to do well and be liked. Those goals can be stressful, but when we find approaches that stem from our authentic selves, work is a lot easier and more fun. Many Analysts excel in terms of creativity and technical performance, and that may be enough. But more is better. Let me share a story.

At a previous workplace, a young Architect joined our team. His communication skills were poor (mumbling, lack of eye contact), and he rarely approached anyone, though he was very sweet. People considered him an oddball.

But he was a performance superhero. As the new guy, he was assigned difficult tasks that others regularly struggled with, and he amazed us all daily, snorting at the idea that “this stuff is hard.” He was respected for his performance, but he didn’t connect in any other way.

I regret to tell you that he did not prosper in the organization. In truth, his chosen way of demonstrating his gifts was rather narrow. He did a fantastic job, but he just wanted to be left alone to do his work rather than expand in any direction.

So, yeah, I think it’s important to consider that Analysts who create progressive career success seem to do so by developing and applying a balance of their qualities. A single ability, no matter how remarkable, can be limiting. There’s always a fresh approach worth trying, and being willing to grow is a virtue noticed by employers and coworkers alike.

Have you worked with an admirable Analyst? What impressed you about them, and what did you like about them? Let us know in the comments below – many Analysts, including myself, are listening…