4 Work Styles to Help You Do Better at Work

What is a Work Style?

A work style is how a person tackles tasks and projects. This article uses four approaches as a reflection lens: idea-oriented, logical, detail-oriented and supportive. You might recognize more than one, depending on the task.

How does work style relate to daily work?

Workplace collaboration isn’t always a walk in the park. However, bringing diverse minds together can also be a very powerful thing. Collaborative teams can discuss diverse perspectives and how to approach tasks.

As an employee, it’s important to reflect on your own workstyle and empower your team members to understand theirs, too. Understanding working styles can prompt a discussion of individual strengths and preferences. This knowledge can also help you reflect on individual biases and assumptions.

Some tasks call for specific support. Understanding working styles can help guide discussions about what each person needs.

4 Working Style Approaches

These four working styles offer a way to reflect on how you approach a task, rather than define who you are:

1. Logical

Often known as drivers or doers, people using a logical approach may prefer to face challenges directly and efficiently. If this fits how you approach a task, you may enjoy analytical work, love working with data, and want to see a task through from start to finish. If you have great focus on a task, check whether communication is becoming less important to you. Focusing on effective and personable communication can be an area of improvement when colleagues need more updates. If you notice gaps in your preparation, you may need to improve your planning and preparation skills.

Fictional example: Jason is a brand manager, and he has a logical approach to work. He is result-driven and evaluates the effectiveness of his campaigns based on tangible achievement. He prefers to work quickly and efficiently and executes tasks without delay. Jason expects his peers to waste no time and prefers workflow with the fewest steps possible. He speaks his mind and is always honest with his coworkers, especially if he feels something needs improvement.

2. Detail-oriented

Individuals using this approach may pay close attention to detail. Detail-oriented work focuses on order and stability, with strategic, organized, and pragmatic practices. As you advance in your career and strive for accuracy in everything, check whether you're duplicating colleagues' checks. Consider risks and approach challenges with caution and consideration. If you prefer the planning and preparation stage, check whether you stall in executing your plans. When paired with peers who have a logical work style, discuss how to coordinate planning and execution.

Fictional example: Susan is an accountant and has a detail-oriented approach. Her attention to detail shows in how she checks her work. She uses finely tuned processes to organize her workflow. These may slow down her productivity, but include time for checking reports. Susan stays organized and schedules her tasks daily to keep her workflow on track. She prefers an environment where her team is as meticulous as she is and discusses how much checking each task needs.

3. Supportive

People who prefer to interact with others in a sensitive and considerate manner may recognize the supportive approach. Supportive practices emphasize listening and collaboration. You may focus on building relationships at work and consider the feelings and opinions of those around you. If you prefer a team environment, consider how you can foster workplace relationships and whether you need colleagues to guide you through tasks or offer encouragement.

Fictional example: Pablo is a retail assistant in a shoe store and has a supportive attitude in his work. His friendly demeanour and listening skills shape his approach to customer service. When his teammates need help, he's eager to jump in and assist. When customers need help finding the perfect shoes, he is patient and considerate. He thrives in social situations, aims to make every customer feel welcome in the store, and works hard to please his manager.

4. Idea-oriented

Often thought of as big-picture thinkers, idea-oriented coworkers may enjoy generating possibilities. Employees using this approach may share their vision with their teams and invite them to explore possibilities. Those using this working style may explore challenges in different ways by considering alternatives. Idea-oriented employees can ask colleagues to check details when a task needs it.

Fictional example: Alex is the general manager of a cinema and has an idea-oriented work style. Their innovative approach to running the cinema means that they're always coming up with ways to bring in new customers. When problems arise, such as staffing shortages, they're able to apply their creativity to adjust their employees' schedules to keep the cinema running smoothly. Alex asks colleagues to check details while focusing on the business's overall success without                                                    
overlooking small yet essential elements.

How to Assess Your Own Working Style?

Reflecting on your working preferences requires you to pay attention to the way you work and ask lots of questions, of yourself and others, about how you approach problems. As you reflect on your work style, remember that you might identify with more than one style. Here are 7 ways to help you explore your preferences in a recent task:

1. Notice What Brings You Joy — Which part of the task did you enjoy most?
2. Pay Attention to How You Handle Projects — Did you start by analyzing, planning, listening or generating ideas?
3. Take a Personality Test — Optional: use its questions as reflection prompts, not to assign these four labels, diagnose yourself or choose an occupation.
4. Reflect on Your Career — Which past tasks suited your preferences, and how did this task differ?
5. Recognize How You Use Your Own Time — Where did you spend time on the task, and where did you rush?
6. Ask Friends and Colleagues for Their Opinions — Ask what they noticed you doing on the task, not which label fits you.
7. Take Feedback Seriously — Pick one specific suggestion about the task to try next time.

How to Apply Working Styles at Work?

No matter what your work style is, you can be part of a productive team. Value diverse perspectives without treating work styles as assets and defects. The aim is to agree responsibilities and direction, not find a perfectly balanced group.

The first thing to do is know that you’re working with a group that is made up of individuals. It might sound like an oxymoron, but the magic of management is making those individuals work together productively as a group. That means discussing preferences for the task. That includes discussing each one’s strengths and support needs.

Acas performance-management guidance recommends realistic objectives that reflect usual tasks and workload, and regular informal feedback.

Fictional example: two colleagues prepare a weekly report.

1. Agree responsibilities: based on workload and preferences, one colleague drafts the report by Thursday; the other checks the figures on Friday.
2. Agree communication: post progress in the team chat on Thursday afternoon and raise blockers there sooner.
3. Review the arrangement: after Friday’s handoff, discuss what worked, what support was missing and what to change next week.

Working style is a reflection tool to help you describe your preferences at work and discuss them with your team. Therefore, take a little time to assess your own working preferences and agree one practical adjustment for your next task!