Yearly Archives: 2019

Michael A. Roberto is the Trustee Professor of Management at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. He joined the tenured faculty at Bryant after serving for six years on the faculty at Harvard Business School. His research focuses on how leaders and teams solve problems and make decisions. He is the author of Unlocking Creativity.

Michael A. Roberto is the Trustee Professor of Management at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. He joined the tenured faculty at Bryant after serving for six years on the faculty at Harvard Business School. His research focuses on how leaders and teams solve problems and make decisions. He is the author of ‘Unlocking Creativity.’

History repeats itself. That’s why you’re reluctant to take any action in the present without first understanding the lessons of the past. While the present can be a confusing cacophony of conflicting demands, looking back brings order this chaos, revealing insights into behaviors and decisions. You’re an effective employee because you understand how projects came to be and why clients are driven by specific needs. You’re a better teammate because you take the time to learn your coworkers’ histories. Your need for context, however, can slow down your decision making process. Some might accuse you of being “stuck in the past” or constantly rehashing what’s already happened at the expense of forward momentum.

If you had a catchphrase, it would be “Prove it.” You challenge people to back up their statements with facts and are wary of anyone who makes decisions based on a gut feeling. Before making your own decisions, you need to gather as much data as possible. You carefully consider every angle, using data to identifying previously unseen patterns and connections, dive deeper into reasons and causes, and bring structure to your decision-making process. Your passion for meticulous analysis, however, can also be your downfall, at times paralyzing your ability to take action.

Workhorse or workaholic? You’ve been called both– and sometimes it’s hard even for you to tell the difference. As an Achiever, you are driven by an insatiable need to accomplish something tangible every day, including weekends and vacations, or you consider the day wasted. Your formidable stamina enables you to move at a pace most people cannot keep up with, and you have little tolerance for those who fall behind. You derive immense satisfaction from being busy and productive. Without a new challenge or task, you feel lost.

Frances Cole Jones is the author of How to Wow, The Wow Factor, and Wow Your Way Into the Job of Your Dreams. Her blog was voted one of the top 100 websites for women by Forbes. Frances appears frequently on ABC and Fox News, is a body language expert for The Insider, a business etiquette expert for Demand Media’s eHow video series, and a job interview expert for About.com.

Frances Cole Jones is the author of How to Wow: Proven Strategies for Selling Your (Brilliant) Self in any Situation and The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World. Her blog was voted one of the top 100 websites for women by Forbes. Frances appears frequently on ABC and Fox News, is a body language expert for The Insider, a business etiquette expert for Demand Media’s eHow video series, and a job interview expert for About.com.

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If “Devil’s Advocate” were a video game, you’d play it on repeat. You’re not intentionally trying to be stubborn or difficult; you just like considering all the options and potential risks before making a decision. Some people might perceive you to be quiet or shy, but that’s simply a result of taking your time in building relationships, both in and out of the office. Ultimately, you know your thorough approach will lead you to the right choices.