Three Types of Work Relationships（摘录自work from passion）

因为在读work with passion，这本书给我很大启发，很多的地方都讲的很好，这一节也是一样，以下为摘录：

Three Types of Work Relationships


Just
as flowers flourish in certain environments, people do their best when they are in compatible relationships. Before you meet with people, it is important to know your personality type, that is, whether you will flourish in a partner, team, or solo relationship
at work. Below I describe the characteristics of these three types.

The
Partnership Type

Would
you be happiest in a partnership? Working in tandem with another person in an equal give-and-take relationship requires two people with great sensitivity. Any relationship is an organic process that works when both people share values. It also helps if they
are mature, self-confident, and happy to see their partner become successful. The partner type:


Loves
and needs give-and-take feedback in conversation and in decision-making (“What do you think?”).


Forms
intimate, long-lasting friendships with a select few. Is equally balanced between liking to be alone and with one other.


Finds
that creativity increases in the confines of a trusted relationship.


Is
self-reliant (paradoxical, but true).


Is
an excellent listener. Enjoys hearing the partner’s ideas and concepts.


Likes
pooling resources: money, ideas, property, knowledge; feels more powerful with shared riches.


Sees
relationships as shared independence between equals. Is uncomfortable with authoritarian relationships.


Thrives
on encouragement from the partner (not necessarily from others).


Likes
to share risk taking with the partner.

If the above profile fits you, and your present occupation requires that you work alone or with a team most of the time, you are not in the right work relationship. Your partner can be your customer or client; the point is that you need
interaction with another person to stimulate your imagination and creativity.


Other
clues that indicate the “partnership” personality: you married early; you have always had one close friend, even as a child; you share easily with a trusted individual. You are happiest when paired, in romance, in sports, at dinner, and so on. Also, you are
fascinated with duos of any kind, in love, work, or play. Famous teams intrigue you, and you would like to be part of one yourself. (Remember, these are simply clues, not hard-and-fast rules.)


A
successful partnership involves not only willingness but also a strong desire to include the other. In fact, you perform at your best when creating with another. You blossom into a rare and beautiful flower when you find the right partner.

The
Team Type

The
individual who flourishes in the team environment is a specialist at whatever he or she does. The team type enjoys the camaraderie and give-and-take of a group, in which decision-making is spread around. Plenty of discussion, consensus agreement, and the group’s
benefits are all highly regarded by the team type. Think of a sports analogy: If you were a professional athlete, would you prefer to play on a team, with a partner, or by yourself?


A
team can be a powerful force when each member is willing to play his or her part and play it well. The team player needs the structure of an organization. He or she enjoys the rivalry between and among other departments and companies, valuing individual contribution
within the larger framework. The team type:

Loves competition and rivalry as a motivator.


Forms
many friendships easily. Is gregarious and outgoing.


Responds
to a good leader. Feels comfortable with competent authority figures.


Finds
that creativity increases with abundant praise from teammates and leader.


Sees
relationships as cooperative units within a larger structure.


Is
conscientious and loyal.


Is
sociable; likes to belong to clubs, groups, and organizations.


Likes
to be alone only about 20 percent of the time.


Likes
to share risks with the team and its leader.

As a team type, you wilt without comrades with whom to share your defeats and victories. Loneliness is your biggest fear. You are right at home when your career fills your need for stimulation and excitement. Other clues for determining whether
you’re a team player: as a child you played with a group of friends; you came from a large family, or you had early positive experiences with large families; you can maintain several relationships at once: lovers, friends, and so forth. You love team endeavors
— in sports, in success stories of large corporations. You prefer to use your talents to help a team win.


The team
player thrives in cooperative, competitive, and stimulating environments. You are a hardy, cheerful flower when you are on the right team.

The
Solo Type

Are
you happiest when you are completely in charge? Do you like to make all the decisions? The solo type likes to say, “I did that.” “That” can be the company he or she built, the sale made, the book written, or the house constructed or remodeled. The common trait
of this personality is the desire to wear all the hats.


The
solo type prefers to make up his or her mind and is therefore resistant to outside influence. This type can make an invaluable contribution to teams or partnerships because he or she will not give in to group pressure. Since solo types are inner directed,
outside pressure makes them even more introspective. The solo type:

Is resourceful and self-contained. Prefers to make up his or her mind. Needs and likes privacy.


Is
highly creative, finds that creativity increases when alone and with other creative people. Inventive, imaginative, artistic; possesses a thinking, contemplative mind.


Is
fiercely independent and a risk taker.


Carefully
chooses friendships; selects other independent types as associates and friends.


Strongly
resists any authority — the more freedom, the better.


Enjoys
and needs to work alone; time to process thoughts and ideas is the solo type’s number-one objective.


Sees
all relationships as unique. Functions best in small groups or in one-on-one situations.


Becomes
energized by the creative process. Takes praise for accomplishment with easy grace. Surprisingly, the more talented the solo is, the more grateful he or she is.


Picks
an independent marriage partner — another solo type

You can see from the above descriptions what a tragedy it is for the solo type to be in a large, highly structured company or organization (unless he or she is the president!). If you are a solo, you like to make up the rules as you go
along. Other clues: as a child you were extremely imaginative, daydreaming a great deal; you had imaginary playmates and pets; you had great powers of concentration; you love nature — being alone in the woods is your idea of heaven; you were on stage alone
as a performer; you are drawn to individual sports; the singular, the unique individual, the star fascinates you; you made your own money early. You are the flower with a deep taproot.


These
three types — partnership, team, and solo — are not mutually exclusive. For example, a solo can be in a partnership if the other individual is independent. The team type can work with a solo or a partner when both are willing to listen to alternatives. Clashes
occur when people do not know their types, or when they project their needs onto others. We are all a combination of the three types. However, one type will be our preference, particularly when we are under pressure.


You
can discover what type you are by watching what you do when you feel stressed. Do you retreat from the world to process your thoughts and feelings? Then you are a solo. Do you talk about your concerns with a spouse, friend, or trusted co-worker? Then you are
a partner type. Or do you talk things over with many people to relieve your stress? Then you are a team type.


Another
way to determine your type is to pay attention to your body. Do you get tired when you are alone too long? (You’re a team or partner type). Or do you feel your energy waning after being with people a couple of hours? (You’re a solo type.) You can also ask
those who know you well which type they think you are. Their answer may surprise you!


Now
that you know your personality type, or the type that best describes you, it is time to pick your right niche.