Personality Zone

This is the last of a four-part series on stress at work. Each personality type has different stressors and copes in different ways. Since Artisans are usually optimistic and like taking risks, it takes a lot to get them stressed. But if they become severely stressed, Artisans can act out against others or themselves.

The Promoter can become stressed if their options get closed off and they are forced to work in a very structured environment. Since their highest skill is being tactical in the here-and-now, excessive focus on the future will also stress them. Losing flexibility triggers internal confusion and thoughts of dire consequences. This can cause them to lash out at others and even take actions of revenge. To get back to normal they need to develop contingency plans and get help from others in setting priorities. Says Dirk, I once had a job that was like a straight-jacket no flexibility. I got out of it as quick as I could. I felt cold plotting anger until I could get out. Now my situation is fluid and life is fun again.

The Crafter is the most freedom-loving of all of the Artisans. They can’t stand being fenced in or faced with high emotion. They generally are seen as the strong, silent type. If they don’t have the freedom to be alone and independent, they can become hypersensitive to relationships and can lash out in mean and sneaky ways. To get back to normal, they need physical and emotional space. It is especially important that others do not ask how they FEEL. Says Irene, I was injured in a copter crash. Yeah, I get care and PT, but I want people to back off asking me how I feel. Give me space. I’ll get retraining when I’m good and ready. When I decide what to do, get out of my way.

The Performer loves fun and pleasure. Their love of life is attractive to others and at times they become the center of attention. If things around them become too constricted or too sour, it takes a toll on the Performer. They can become suspicious of others and even of themselves. Their unhappiness can seem overwhelming to them and in an effort to become happy, even temporarily, they can binge on food, alcohol, gambling or shopping. To recover they need to seek other avenues for happiness and need help from others in setting priorities. Phony reassurances will not work. Physical activity is needed to get them back in balance and away from the gloom and doom. Says Pierre, I’m French and always thought I could handle my wine, but when the company I worked for seemed to be going under, I partied and drank too much. Luckily a friend said I’d feel better if I started running with him. It is amazing how it helped to change my perspective. I also changed companies. Life is good again.

The Composer is the most sensitive of all the Artisans to negativity and excessive criticism. Values conflicts are especially painful for them. Also threats of layoffs are harder on them than any of the other Artisans, provided that they like their job and the company. Instead of attacking outwardly, they turn the attacks on themselves and can act in such a way as to injure them. If others stop trying to reason with them, but simply validate their feelings, then leave them alone, the self-destroying thoughts will usually stop on their own. Says Sonja, when we were told that our division would have to shrink, I started to find all sorts of reasons why I would be the first to go. Luckily my friend said that many of the same reasons would apply to her and asked me to make a pact that we would help each other no matter what happened. Somehow I could then focus on new options. When the layoff list was finally revealed, neither of us was on it. It really helps when someone believes in you and doesn’t tell you that you’re crazy when you find lots of reasons that things won’t go well.