Have you ever noticed that your work style is drastically different from someone else at your job? Of course you have! It may have even left you feeling like that other person wasn’t really working as hard as you. While that may be true in some cases, more often than not, it comes down to a difference in personal work style.

While one person may be a creative type, another may be task-driven and detail-oriented. That means while one has her head in the clouds, the other has his nose to the grindstone, producing more tangible results. But isn’t imagining the possibilities just as important as producing reports? Many entrepreneurs would argue that daydreaming is arduous, inspiring, and critical to any business. The most strategic managers make sure that they have a mix of personalities within their office, so that they have all bases covered. If your manager has taken care in putting together the strongest, most diverse team possible, it is likely that you’ve come across many people with work styles different from your own.

These differences become even more obvious when a company employs Robotic Process Automation, meaning that the company uses some sort of automation services, usually including document management software and workflow software. The result of using Robotic Process Automation is process and data automation. When processes are automated, employees are freed from the mind-numbing, tedious tasks that they were once burdened with, and they are able to utilize their true talents and tap into their passions. When people aren’t tied down to paper-based processes, they are free to roam and explore their work styles, to see how and where they work most effectively, and to see what inspires them.

Personal work styles can be boiled down to four categories: data-oriented, collaborative, plan-driven, and creative. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the four different styles. As you read, you’ll be able to 1) identify which you are and 2) consider cutting the other 3 categories some slack.

Data-Oriented

If you wander over into your accounting or finance department, you’re likely to find some data-oriented people. It’s likely that your CFO has an appreciation for charts and graphs. These people are vital to any company’s survival. They are the most analytical people in the building, and they keep all of the cogs oiled and spinning. You might be data-oriented if you find yourself communicating in a straightforward, fact-based manner and focusing more on solid facts than mere ideas.

Collaborative

Collaborative types are likely to work in HR departments or as nurses or teachers. They need to connect deeply with other humans. They’re our mediators – people who facilitate open discussions and keep the workplace peace. They are often assigned to special projects or committees for the simple fact that they are great at connecting with others. They are the glue that holds teams together. You may be a collaborator if you are a social person who frequently finds yourself building new relationships and making introductions.

Plan-Driven

I’m sure you’ve heard of Type A personalities. These people are intensely focused and detailed. It’s not in their nature to take risks. Instead, they conservatively follow processes with proven success. Plan-driven workers are important because they keep the team on task and on schedule. You may be a plan-driven person if you enjoy sticking to rules and procedures and if you have your calendar color-coded and planned out in 30-minute increments.

Creative

You’ll know a creative type when you see one. She has taken over the cubicle by the window. Some days she’s in the office, and some days she’ll work remotely. She runs the company blog and other creative projects. What’s not to love? (Okay, I’ll admit I’m talking about myself here.) But seriously, creative types are important because they aren’t afraid to explore the possibilities. In fact, they enjoy taking risks and brainstorming. A business without new ideas will grow stagnant. One that keeps evolving can have decades of success (see Madonna). You may be a creative type if you find yourself getting lost in daydreams and possibilities. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas with your team! If your thoughts aren’t appreciated, find somewhere that they will be.

Is it possible for all of these work styles to form a cohesive team? Sure it is! Here at DocuPhase, we use our own automation services, including our document management software and workflow software. Thanks to Robotic Process Automation, we enjoy process and data automation. This means we’ve eliminated the busywork and that we each, as individuals, are able to identify our personal work style and contribute our best assets to the team.

Our plan-driven team members are able to focus on the task at hand, without being distracted by tedious, manual tasks. The data-oriented people are able to dig into the data that drives our organization. The creative types aren’t bound by paper; they can undock their laptops and work remotely, producing videos, marketing materials, or text content. Last but not least, our collaborators are able to be the glue that holds together our interoffice relationships. Thanks to the cutting-edge process and data automation technology we use, each team member can play to his or her strengths, and we can each appreciate the contributions of others, even if they possess skills and personalities that are drastically different from our own.