Are You An Active Personality Type Who is Feeling Overburdened At Work?

Put simply I see two personality types in my work; there’s the Active type and the Passive type. Both of these are equal but different in their modus operandi, and both have their uses in the world. Used well and these two types complement each other. Whilst the first type can anticipate difficulties ahead and take action to prevent them, the other is fabulous at working with what is happening right in the moment. Thus,when the universe throws a curve ball, the passive type is right there waiting to catch it and cope with the consequences.

A difficulty comes within a team or working partnership when these two types impact on each other in a negative way. A pattern I see repeatedly is one where the two different ways polarise each other. Resentments rise when the active personality types anticipates the pitfalls so well that there is little for the passive type to pick up. Or indeed the passive individual realises that they can sit right back because the active person is already on it….. This is when tensions rise. When the balance tips and the active personality, being brilliantly anticipatory, ends up wearing themselves out by trying to do it all because they can see what’s coming.
I know of only two means of redressing the balance and unfortunately the onus for change lies with the active participant. This might seem slightly unfair as they were only doing their best. On the other hand it is this half of the team who will benefit most in the long in the long run from making these changes. 
So here’s what you active types do: Firstly you start to communicate. As the active one one on the team this might seem a bit rich as you will already be known for your communication skills. Well, you will need to use them even more and this is why. When we have passive team members, it is unbelievably easy to beginning picking up the slack without even registering we are doing it. To be fair, if you suffer with the level of impatience I have , it is just quicker and easier, when you see an impending danger, to take the necessary action. Whilst this makes us really useful for the team, it is really not sustainable for our energy levels. What we need to do, not only for our own benefit but also for the overall benefit of the team or project, is to name the challenge we see on the horizon rather than trying to solve it. That’s right, instead of reacting, learn to name the risk and share it with all whom it concerns. This will be new and unfamiliar. Try it all the same.
The second thing active types need to to to redress this balance is to take a step back when they see danger. That’s right, instead of rushing in to take the action to prevent the disaster, communicate what you see, and take a step back. This way team members with a more passive preference have a chance to partake. This way there is a space for the more passive individuals to occupy. Thus way we can invite them in and share the situation. 
In my experience there is no obvious reason for the more passive personality to want to change a thing. There might be some resentments flying around from the active individuals but as their counterparts are protected by this vigilance at all times then they are safe and free to do as they please. If it does all go tits-up then they are well-rested enough to react if the need arises.
So to redress the balance, is active types need to change. It is us who must communicate what we see, it is us who must change our reaction, it is us who can see what might happen and live with the possibility that actually, it still might still go wrong …. This way lessons will be learned. This way, sometimes with a bruise or two all round, the responsibilities get reassigned. I’ll let you decide where to draw your new line…….

Explore here to learn more of career coaching with Rebecca and here to subscribe to blog