Being easy to work with – when your leader is “Conscientious.”

So, you’ve read your leader as a “C.” And, you want them to read this post.  Of course you do.

But – things go better when we work to adapt ourselves, rather than trying to force others to change.  In fact, our adaptation can inspire others to change. (Have you read Leadership and Self-Deception yet?)

Consider this as a goal: Be easy to work with.  More opportunities come along that way.  Something we’ve seen is that the world seems to work better for people who are punctual, deliver on time, respond to communication quickly, are pleasant, and exceed expectations.

So — how to do that with your “Conscientiousness” leader, who cares about accuracy, challenge, and stability? Match their style and their needs.

Consider keeping these things in mind:

-Keep all professional communication concise, factual, and without modifiers or small talk.

-Ensure that any changes you suggest are validated by factual evidence, rather than “man, this would be cool”-type emotional pleas.

-Steel yourself for matter-of-fact, even blunt, communication and feedback from a “C.”  It’s okay to ask for clarification or expansion or a progress evaluation, because they may often hold back on information if all is going as they expect.

-Move slowly enough that you don’t come across as pushy, overly urgent, or emotional.

-Know that they may find small talk in the workplace to be a distraction from getting work done, rather than as an opportunity to connect.

While it is probably true that they need to work on being less of a perfectionist or giving positive feedback, it isn’t your task today to change and develop them.  But, you can give them room to do that work on their own when you stay easy to work with.

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