Work Style Inventory

Work Style Inventory

by Donna Benjamin

​What are your work habits?

​Instructions:

• Consider each of the following questions separately

• Have a piece of paper handy, numbered 1-18

• Write down the LETTER next to each corresponding number.

  • "Work" in this test refers to school

  • "Coworkers are your teachers, learning coaches, fellow classmates, and caretakers

  • ​"Customers" are your teachers, learning coaches, and administration

​What are your work habits?

​Instructions:

• ​You may only choose ONE answer. None are wrong, even if the computer tells you so.

• If you have trouble selecting only one answer, ask yourself which response, at school or work, would be the most natural or likely for you to make.

• There are no right answers to these questions, so base your responses on how you are today, not how you think you should be or would like to be in the future.​

• ​

Multiple Select

1. When talking to a customer, adult, coworker, or another student . .

• A.

  I maintain eye contact the whole time

• B.

  I alternate between looking at the person and looking down.

• C.

  I look around the room a good deal of the time.

• D.

  I try to maintain eye contact, but look away from time to time

Multiple Select

2. If I have an important decision to make…

• A.

  I think it through completely before deciding.

• B.

  I go with my gut instincts.

• C.

  I consider the impact it will have on other people before deciding.

• D.

  I run it by someone whose opinion I respect before deciding.

Multiple Select

3. My office or work area mostly has…

• A.

  family photos and sentimental items displayed.

• B.

  inspirational posters, awards, and art displayed.

• C.

  graphs and charts displayed.

• D.

  calendars and project outlines displayed.

Multiple Select

4. If I am having a conflict with a co-worker or customer or other adult…

• A.

  I try to help the situation by focusing on the positive

• B.

  I stay calm and try to understand the cause of the conflict

• C.

  I try to avoid discussing the issue causing the conflict

• D.

  I confront it right away in order to resolve it quickly

Multiple Select

5. When I talk on the phone, email, or chat at schooll/work…

• A.

  I keep the conversation focused on the purpose of the call.

• B.

  I spend a few minutes chatting before getting down to business

• C.

  I am in no hurry to get off the phone and do not mind chatting about personal things, the weather, and so on.

• D.

  I try to keep the conversation as brief as possible.

Multiple Select

6. If a co-worker is upset…

• A.

  I ask if I can do anything to help.

• B.

  I leave him/her alone because I do not want to intrude on his/her privacy.

• C.

  I try to cheer him/her up and help to see the bright side

• D.

  I feel uncomfortable and hope s/he gets over it soon.

Multiple Select

7. When I attend meetings at work…

• A.

  I sit back and think about what is being said before offering my opinion

• B.

  I put all my cards on the table so my opinion is well known.

• C.

  I express my opinion enthusiastically, but listen to others’ ideas as well.

• D.

  I try to support the ideas of the other people in the meeting.

Multiple Select

8. When I make a presentation in front of a group…(example, give a speech, participate in discussion)

• A.

  I am entertaining and often humorous.

• B.

  I am clear and concise

• C.

  I speak relatively quietly.

• D.

  I am direct, specific, and sometimes loud.

Multiple Select

9. When a customer (teacher/LC/principal) is explaining a problem to me…

• A.

  I try to understand and empathize with how she is feeling

• B.

  I look for the specific facts pertaining to the situation.

• C.

  I listen carefully for the main issue so that I can find a solution.

• D.

  I use body language and tone of voice to show him/her that I understand.

Multiple Select

10. When I attend training programs, classes, or presentations…

• A.

  I get bored if the person moves too slowly.

• B.

  I try to be supportive of the speaker, knowing how hard the job is.

• C.

  I want it to be entertaining as well as informative.

• D.

  I look for the logic behind what the speaker is saying.

Multiple Select

11. When I want to get my point across to customers or co-workers…

• A.

  I listen to their point of view first and then express my ideas gently.

• B.

  I strongly state my opinion so that they know where I stand.

• C.

  I try to persuade them without being too forceful.

• D.

  I explain the thinking and logic behind what I am saying.

Multiple Select

12. When I am late for a meeting or appointment…

• A.

  I do not panic but call ahead to say that I will be a few minutes late.

• B.

  I feel bad about keeping the other person waiting.

• C.

  I get very upset and rush to get there as soon as possible

• D.

  I apologize profusely once I arrive.

Multiple Select

13. I set goals and objectives at work that…

• A.

  I think I can realistically attain

• B.

  I feel are challenging and would be exciting to achieve.

• C.

  I need to achieve as part of a bigger objective.

• D.

  Will make me feel good when I achieve them.

Multiple Select

14. When explaining a problem to a co-worker from whom I need help . . .

• A.

  I explain the problem in as much detail as possible

• B.

  I sometimes exaggerate to make my point.

• C.

  I try to explain how the problem makes me feel

• D.

  I explain how I would like the problem to be solved.

Multiple Select

15. If customers or co-workers are late for a meeting with me in my office…

• A.

  I keep myself busy by making phone calls or working until they arrive.

• B.

  I assume they were delayed a bit and do not get upset

• C.

  I call to make sure that I have the correct information (date, time, etc.).

• D.

  I get upset that the person is wasting my time

Multiple Select

16. When I am behind on a project and feel pressure to get it done…

• A.

  I make a list of everything I need to do, in what order, by when.

• B.

  I block out everything else and focus 100 percent on the work I need to do.

• C.

  I become anxious and have a hard time focusing on my work.

• D.

  I set a date to get the project done by and go for it.

Multiple Select

17. When I feel verbally attacked by a customer or a co-worker…

• A.

  I tell him/her to stop it.

• B.

  b. I feel hurt but usually do not say anything about it

• C.

  I ignore his/her anger and try to focus on the facts of the situation.

• D.

  I let him/her know in strong terms that I do not like the behavior

Multiple Select

18. When I see a co-worker or customer whom I like and haven’t seen recently…

• A.

  I give him/her a friendly hug

• B.

  I greet him/her but don’t shake his/her hand.

• C.

  I give him/her a firm but quick handshake

• D.

  I give him/her an enthusiastic handshake that lasts a few moments.

Multiple Select

18. When I see a co-worker or customer whom I like and haven’t seen recently…

• A.

  I give him/her a friendly hug

• B.

  I greet him/her but don’t shake his/her hand.

• C.

  I give him/her a firm but quick handshake

• D.

  I give him/her an enthusiastic handshake that lasts a few moments.

​Scoring yourself . . .

Assign each of your answers with a D, AM, AL, or Z according to the following:​

1. a. driver (D); b. amiable (AM); c. analytical (AL), d. expressive (X)

​2. a. analytical; b. driver; c. amiable, d. expressive

​3. a. amiable; b. expressive; c. analytical; d. driver

​4. a. expressive; b. amiable; c. analytical; d. driver

​5. a. analytical, b. expressive, c. amiable; d. driver

​6. a. amiable; b. driver; c. expressive; d. analytical

​7. a. analytical; b. driver; c. expressive; d. amiable

​Scoring yourself . . .

Assign each of your answers with a D, AM, AL, or Z according to the following:​

​8. a. expressive (X); b. analytical (AL); c. amiable (AM); d. driver (D)

​9. a. amiable; b. analytical; c. driver; d. expressive

​10. a. driver; b. amiable; c. expressive; d. analytical

​11. a. amiable; b. driver; c. expressive; d. analytical

​12. a. analytical; b. amiable; c. expressive; d. driver

​13. a. analytical; b. expressive; c. driver; d. amiable

​14. a. analytical; b. expressive; c. amiable; d. driver

​Scoring yourself . . .

Assign each of your answers with a D, AM, AL, or Z according to the following:​

​15. a. expressive (X); b. amiable (AM); c. analytical (AL); d. driver (D)

​16. a. analytical; b. driver; c. amiable; d. expressive

​17. a. driver; b. amiable; c. analytical; d. expressive

​18. a. amiable; b. analytical; c. driver; d. expressive

​

Now, add up how many "Driver" (D) answers you have. Add up how many Amiable (AM) answers you have. Add up how many Analytical (AL) answers you have. Add up how many Expressive (X) answers you have.

​The Results

​The highest score is your dominant style.

​

The wider the range of scores the more dominant the style.

​

If you have two scores that are the same for your highest score, then you have two dominant styles.

Analytical

• Personality: goal and task oriented, unassertive (go with the flow), attack problems with precision and persistence. Sometimes viewed as aloof, picky, and critical. Ask a lot of questions (which may annoy others)

• ​Strengths: Perfectionists, serious, orderly and organized; focus on the work, details, and thrive on efficiency; dependable, accurate, independent, and follow through, organized

• ​Areas of Growth: Tolerate others' styles and learn to work with teammates; show appreciation of others. Tolerate others' styles of organization. Appreciate what other people bring to the table. You may see them as illogical and messy, but they may actually be creative and intelligent. Procrastination is a problem. Work on being more flexible with yourself and others.

• ​Needs: to be right, security, and data (facts), answers to their questions, smooth operations (not glitches or surprises); prefer to work alone and need time to work; dislike being rushed; want things in writing, naturally suspicious and self-critical

• ​Ideal work conditions: Clean, organized work space away from others; don't barge in, make appointments

• ​Best professions: Accounting, engineering, computer programming, math, sciences, system analysis, and architecture

Amiable

• Personality: goal and task oriented, unassertive (go with the flow), attack problems with precision and persistence. Sometimes viewed as aloof, picky, and critical. Ask a lot of questions (which may annoy others)

• ​Strengths: Perfectionists, serious, orderly and organized; focus on the work, details, and thrive on efficiency; dependable, accurate, independent, and follow through, organized

• ​Areas of Growth: Tolerate others' styles and learn to work with teammates; show appreciation of others. Tolerate others' styles of organization. Appreciate what other people bring to the table. You may see them as illogical and messy, but they may actually be creative and intelligent. Procrastination is a problem. Work on being more flexible with yourself and others.

• ​Needs: to be right, security, and data (facts), answers to their questions, smooth operations (not glitches or surprises); prefer to work alone and need time to work; dislike being rushed; want things in writing, naturally suspicious and self-critical

• ​Ideal work conditions: Clean, organized work space away from others; don't barge in, make appointments

• ​Best professions: Accounting, engineering, computer programming, math, sciences, system analysis, and architecture

Driver

• Personality: Task and goal oriented, direct, blunt and to the point; want results, not excuses. Heavily focused on productivity and need to take on challenges, take risks. They want maximum freedom and self-management; they are not fond of rules or supervisors

• ​Strengths: Driven, strong problem solvers, very efficient, strongly organized, competitive, independent, and go at a fast pace. They get things done. Strong leaders, make decisions

• ​Areas of Growth: Stubborn, inflexible, impatient, and tough; take control and can run over others feelings and needs. Dislike incompetency, "time-wasting" activities, or dealing with relationships. Work on being more patient, tolerant, flexible, and listen/appreciate others.

  ​Needs: Wants things done now and correctly; multitasking, lots of freedom, and self-driven projects

• ​Ideal work conditions: Alone or with assistants to deal with the undesired aspects of job, open and organized work space away from others

• ​Best professions: Newspaper reporter, stockbroker, independent consultant, corporate CEO, or military

Expressive

• Personality: People-oriented, assertive, animated, intuitive, lively, and fast-paced. Spontaneous, and don't worry about the facts as much as feelings or emotions. They tend to thrive on drama, risk-taking, and being the center of attention. Easily bored.

• ​Strengths: Likeable, energetic, idea people and persuasive. Good at getting other people to join in and think well on their feet. They love entertaining others.

• ​Areas of Growth: Can be manipulative, impetuous, excitable, impulsive, and socially inappropriate. Their emotions and drama can take control of everything, causing them to be irresponsible, get behind, and miss important deadlines. If bored, tend to move on without completing needed tasks or responsibilities.

  ​Needs: Be around and with people; have relationships with others for stimulation, conversation, and idea generating. They often need to talk about the work before they do the work.

• ​Ideal work conditions: Space may be cluttered, filled with inspirational posters, notes, and colorful environment. Need to be around people and need personal contact (touch, conversation); need to be able to act quickly, and hands-on projects.

• ​Best professions: Sales, entertainment, public relations, hosting events, trial attorneys, social directors on cruise ships, and glamorous, high profile careers.