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Are You Plain or Plaid?
I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, home of the Ivy League Princeton University. Every spring, hordes of Princeton alumni descend upon the town for Reunion, the P-rade, and graduation. Many of them arrive decked out in the University colors of orange and black. Plaid pants, screamingly orange jackets, and striped umbrellas are everywhere.
You can imagine my teenage horror at this exuberant expression of a style that was certainly not mine. And you can imagine my teenage disdain of people dressing so outlandishly!
But the fact is, as extreme an example as this may be, different people do have different styles, not only in their choice of clothing. Unlike clothing, it can be difficult to spot people’s interpersonal styles, in part because most people have an unconscious bias towards their own. Just as the teenage me would have preferred never to see another pair of orange-and-black plaid golf shorts again (I’m not making this up, though now I think they’re kind of cute), you might roll your eyes over fifteen-page reports, while your boss may curl his lip at bullet lists.
Here are the four common styles you’ll encounter in the workplace. If you can adapt your style to that of your co-workers, you’ll find yourself appreciated and respected by all — and you’ll get more accomplished in less time!
Button-Down Oxford Cloth
Reserved, private, and fond of facts and details, the Button-Down style is often considered anti-social
and perhaps even unfriendly. Analytical to the hilt, the Button-Down seldom socializes, and may look
almost panicky if you invite him to lunch — especially if there will be a crowd.
Approach the Button-Down quietly and calmly; don’t try to socialize, though asking after his family is always acceptable. (Just don’t expect more than a brief answer.) Though he won’t admit it, the Button-Down is usually aware that he’s regarded as a loner, an outsider, and perhaps even socially inept, and will appreciate your effort to communicate on his terms.
The Button-Down is happiest when you can provide hard facts, and usually wants plentiful details — and plenty of time to absorb them. If you’re pitching a project or an idea to a Button-Down, make sure you have those facts down pat, or you won’t get his buy-in.
Comfy Tweed
Amiable and easy-going, the Comfy Tweed wants to know who you are and how you are before he’s
ready to talk about work. He appreciates your warmth and will go far for you when you’re
warmly enthusiastic about his contribution.
Last-minute scrambles to a deadline are difficult for the Comfy Tweed, who prefers a more balanced approach to getting things done. Time spent with him individually — without being pushy for details or deliverables — is time well spent, even if it doesn’t mesh with your personal style.
A sense of teamwork is key for the Comfy Tweed, and helping him understand how you need help — or how his work helps others — goes a long way to getting him engaged and on board.
Pinstriped Suit
No-nonsense, often autocratic and impatient, the Pinstriped Suit is forceful and results-driven.
Avoid being vague or abstract in your approach, or she’ll quickly tune you out.
The Pinstriped Suit appreciates bullet lists of specific facts — leave out the details! She may or may not be ready to socialize, depending on her current sense of urgency and competitiveness. Your best bet is to let her take the lead about what she wants to discuss — and that’s easily done, since she’s not shy about letting you know.
Deadlines are important to her; your specific commitment to action and results, especially if backed up by your past performance, is the fastest way to get her attention.
Gold Brocade
Enthusiastic, sometimes a little loud, and highly creative, the Brocade loves to be the center of
attention and can be a name-dropper. She moves quickly, and gets almost as impatient as the
Pinstriped Suit if you don’t keep up with her.
The Brocade is high-energy and future-oriented; to keep her attention, don’t dwell on the past and don’t be subdued. She’s the most social of the four styles, so be sure to invite her to your party or to lunch — but only if you don’t mind letting her have center stage.
Give the Brocade plenty of room to present her creative input, appreciate her enthusiasm, and make sure she sees your project as fun — and she’ll be right there with you, as happy about your success as she is about her own.
Of course, each of these styles can be either male or female; there’s no evidence to suggest any of them are more often one or the other.
And if you particularly like or particularly dislike plaid, button-down shirts, tweed, pinstripes, or brocade, my apologies if you feel I’ve misapplied them to any of the styles. It’s just another example of how widely taste does differ. I think they’re all wonderful — in the right places and the right amounts! But then again, I’ve become rather fond of Princeton’s P-rade antics now that I’m not a teenager any more.
“In manners of style, swim with the current; in manners of principle, stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson, 1743 - 1826, influential American founding father, co-author of the Declaration of Independence, and third U.S. president.
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