The archetypal ruthless boss who sees his staff as ‘work units’ and uses what is known as the CHAKA style of management (Count Heads And Kick Arse), and cares more about his profit than people. He is a Driver.
The adjective which, above all others helps describe this type, is ASSERTIVE but sometimes difficult to spot.
The Driver is not always a bully or a nasty person but tends to be very focused, certain of things, ranging from beliefs to opinions. A Driver personality can be described as forceful and certain… And will argue with you… and needs to win the argument.
How do you manage Drivers? Well for a start, you give them FACTS. They may be a bit difficult to start with because we all have opinions…but the Driver won’t be particularly interested in yours.
The Driver has a ‘take charge’ attitude and of all the various personal-style groups, they will come across as the most confident and assured.
Although they come across as pushy and emotionless with a real Driver using a very limited set of facial expressions (certainly not too much smiling), you may be forgiven for making the assumption that they are devoid of emotion. That is not so. They do feel emotion but are exceptionally good at masking it.
Most political leaders tend to be Drivers, most captains of industry tend to be Drivers. These are not people with whom you do not try and communicate by being ‘chummy’.
They will deal with serious people who do not try and achieve any emotional common ground with them and they’re not interested in being your friend unless you modify your behaviour and show yourself to be as serious and concerned with results as they are.
When you talk to a Driver, do so at a slightly faster pace than you normally would, to convey that feeling of dynamism and going places which they so admire.
Forget small-talk. The Driver is not interested in the weather or the state of the nation or the fact that you went to the theatre last night. He wants to get down to business and is not interested in your ideas, just your information.
When they talk, listen and listen hard. If you have opinions keep them to yourself but on the other hand if you are able to counteract their facts with facts of your own, they will love it…and you !
