What's Your Work Style (and Why It Matters)

As business owners, we all have our preferred or perhaps default methods of working our business. Some of us are early birds who wake before the crack of dawn and check off more boxes by 8am than many do by noon. Others work late into the evening crunching numbers, writing purchase orders, or responding to a barrage of outstanding emails. Then there are those who insist on containing their work hours to the standard business day, but who might feel that they are constantly playing catch up. Some of us sprint hard, while others are more metered and methodical. Every business leader’s work style is unique to a point, and there is no right or wrong answer in how you choose to parcel out your activities or make decisions throughout the day. But recognizing your work style and understanding the pros and cons that may be attached to those behaviors is essential to being a truly effective leader. Your style isn’t just about when you work, but how you take action, manage your time, and connect with those around you.

Are You a Rooster or a Night Owl?

Whether you are an early riser, burn the midnight oil, or stick to a steady 9-5 routine, knowing when you function at your best allows you to design your days and schedule your calendar accordingly.

While many business owners are willing to clock outrageously long days for the sake of the company, both you and your business function better when you engage in important activities rested and alert. When possible, honor your natural peak performance times, even if it means partitioning off specific times of day for meetings or calls.

Are You an Instinctual or Data-Driven Decision Maker?

Lead-with-the-gut business leaders tend to make quick decisions based on their past experiences or perceived intuitiveness related to current factors. Those who are more influenced by research, analysis, and assessments often take much longer to make a decision, but their conclusions are perhaps more quantifiable. Others may be more collaborative, lean on team members, and like to gather consensus.

Identifying your natural decision-making style can offer perspective and opportunities for reflection on whether your approach is delivering the results you desire. If you tend to make decisions on a dime, you might consider slowing down and seeking more input. If you find yourself bogged down in over-think, maybe it is time to trust your instincts more. Or not. The point is, understand your natural proclivity, then challenge it. You might be surprised at what you discover.

Are You the Tortoise or the Hare?

Your work style might be slow and steady—or fast and passionate. Or perhaps you are a multitasker with a dozen balls in the air at a time. All roads will get you to the finish line, but you also need to be aware of how your intensity and focus affect the performance and productivity of those around you. Your rhythm can directly influence your team’s morale and employee satisfaction. Too slow and your team gets frustrated; too intense and your culture suffers. We all want to set the bar high, but making the pursuit positive and productive is important too.

Your speed and intensity affect your entire team and their experience working within your company. The best leaders will adjust their natural pace when needed to ensure everyone stays on track.

Embrace Your Work Style But Be Open to Change

As a business leader, your natural work style is part of who you are. Ideally it maximizes your strengths, helps you avoid burnout, and stands as a model for the entire organization. But beyond personal default mode, great leaders also understand the critical role adaptability plays in their journey to success. So lean in on those work styles that help you raise the bar, but be willing to pivot if they no longer serve you well.