Training Blog

If you are familiar with the Merrill and Reid descriptions of people styles; Driver, Amiable, Analytical, Expressive, you will no doubt know that the majority of IT staff fall into the analytical category. In terms of behavioural motivation, this would be Analytical Autonomising measured using the Strength Deployment Inventory. I thought I´d share a brief thought on how to excite an otherwise slightly reserved group.
 
At lunch today, I took I took reserved silence to mean that Andy, my web developer, was deep in thought over a complex algorithm that would blow away the average boffin when I noticed that most of my suggestions were receiving a rough ride like "no, won´t work". On delving further it turns out that he was faced with a double-whammy problem; a brewing server nightmare coupled with the need to spend money. If you are at all familiar with the mindset of the analytical, you will realise that either of these are enough to cause meltdown.

 
Once I had determined the problem, the solution was obvious. I took the decision to spend the money and methodically went through the process to ensure no errors. Andy can now only be described as ´excited´ at having two brand new servers to twiddle with and has returned to his normal self. Who says that the practical, pragmatic approach of the Driver isn´t attractive to a Green?