Bedrock

Strengths

• Find success in a structured, regimented environment.
• Responds well when given instruction.
• Enjoy personal success and accomplishing an assigned task to the best of their ability.
• Highly analytical, organized thinkers.
• Excellent written communicators.

Weaknesses

• May need to be guided along the way, have a hard time improvising on the fly.
• Find collaboration very difficult, prefer to accomplish their tasks by themselves.
• May become flustered with small issues and blow them out of proportion.
• Struggle to understand those who do not have the same style of thinking.
• Verbal communication does not come naturally to them.

Decision Making

• Make decisions based on logic and fact, not emotion or intuition
• Struggle with making decisions that involve risk.
• Find it hard to make important decisions that would affect others, often deferring to group-think instead.
• Require lots of time to make decisions; may struggle if there is a close deadline.

Unhealthy Adaptations

• Can become overly withdrawn and aim to avoid contact with others.
• May overcomplicate situations, leading to anxiety.
• Struggle with change and can be stubborn or withdrawn when they feel disrupted.
• Overly harsh when they feel others are affecting them negatively.
• Often may be insensitive to the feelings of those around them.

Recommendations for CSs

• Being prepared to not act independently and instead cooperate with those around them.
• Aim to understand that not everyone thinks or acts in the same manner, and recognize the value of differing viewpoints.
• Focus on improving communication with others, and realize the essential nature of clear communication.
• Accept that not all discussions can be free of emotion, and learn to express how they are feeling.

CS types prefer to work independently, and may do best in environments where they can be heads-down rather than socializing on teams. That said, they are patient and diligent teachers who are able to carefully explain details to others and support those around them. As perfectionists, they set high expectations for themselves and others, and tend to model the responsible and reliable behavior that they wish to see from their colleagues.

Potential Leadership Strengths

• Excellent at leading by example.
• Possess the ability to clearly offer assistance to someone who requires it.
• Good at ensuring that team members communicate with them consistently along the way.
• Strong understanding of their own strengths and how to support them with others.
• Can be a stabilizing presence.

Potential Leadership Weaknesses

• May become too overbearing and restrict the work habits of others.
• Can set overly high standards for team members that may be unattainable.
• Often hypercritical if someone does not meet expectations, and can isolate themselves from the team.
• Can become too obsessed with minor details and forget the bigger picture
• Don’t appreciate improvisation from team members.
• Often isolate themselves if things don’t go according to plan.

CS types can be overly cautious — their perfectionism and fear of failure makes them hesitant to act decisively at times. They benefit from managers who can reassure them and encourage experimentation. When managing a CS type, be sure to give clear instructions, and to provide them with the space and freedom to complete important tasks without micromanaging them along the way.

Strategies for Influencing CSs

• If collaboration is needed avoid pairing them with those who also possess the ‘C’ quality, as they will struggle to make important decisions.
• Reassure them that risk-taking can be beneficial.
• Provide them with detailed instructions.
• Use written or digital communication to express ideas.

Creating the Ideal environment for CSs

• Create a schedule for them that sets guidelines and expectations.
• Give them ample time to complete important tasks.
• Allow them independence to finish their assigned tasks.
• Try not to book unnecessary check-ins.

Things to avoid when managing CSs

• Forcing them to contribute to large group communications.
• Giving them too much freedom in the planning phase.
• Constant check-ins of their work.
• Assigning them to tasks that value collaboration.

CSs Communication Style

• Enjoy having debates that are supported by factual evidence.
• Find extended and frequent verbal communication difficult.
• Struggle to have conversations that stray from the topic.
• Expressing their feelings and emotions is often challenging.

Strategies for Communicating With CSs

• Focus on communicating in non-verbal forms; written instructions and communications are best.
• Be overtly direct and avoid using vague terminology.
• Aim not to speak off-the-cuff, and instead carefully construct responses.
• Provide evidence of the points one is trying to make.
• Try not to probe too deeply into the feelings of the CS.