The Four Basic Work Types

1. Thinkers are critical when the majority of the work involves creating, conceiving,
designing, planning, strategizing, thinking outside the box -; or figuring out what the box
looks like.
Usual suspects: Entrepreneurs, inventors, designers, and R&D types are typical positions.
These people typically dominate the early stages of a company, new venture or project. Their
work covers new products, new businesses, and different ways of doing anything.
Downside: Thinkers often get in the way once the company or projects begin to grow rapidly.

2. Builders (or Rebuilders) are necessary when the bulk of the work involves launching
something new and big, turning around a floundering company or project, or managing rapid
growth or change of any type. Once growth begins for an early-stage startup, just about every
job needs to emphasize the Builder component.
Usual suspects: These people thrive in rapidly changing situations, they can deal well with
ambiguity, make decisions with incomplete information, and can create reasonable order out
of chaos.
Downside: They can impede progress when business conditions demand a shift from one
with loose controls to the need for more systems and structure.

3. Improvers upgrade, improve, or re-engineer processes. They develop and manage teams,
add scalability and structure to inefficient systems, or take over projects that need more
direction and control.
Usual suspects: Improvers are essential for bridging the gap between rapid and sustainable
growth. They’re also the people chosen to break bottlenecks and implement needed change in
more bureaucratic companies.
Downside: When hired too soon, they can stall a startup’s growth by adding rules and
regulations long before they’re necessary.

4. Producers deliver meticulous attention to detail, outstanding customer service, and

flawless execution of a repeatable process. This type of work is the lifeblood of any
successful organization.
Usual Suspects: This work type represents the foundation of any career as people learn
skills. Some people eventually move on and become Improvers, Builders, and Thinkers.
Downside: While every company needs Producers, when they’re misplaced or overtake an
organization, they impede progress and prevent change.

Work Type Balance is the Key to Building Teams

Most people are a blend of all four work types with one or two usually dominant. As
companies grow and change over time, it’s important to get the collective balance right.
Unfortunately this work type balance is rarely considered as new people are hired and others
reassigned. Building and growing a successful company is hard work and every hiring
decision is critical. Using work types as part of the selection process can make the task a little
easier.