Personal goals and a relentless pursuit of accomplishment drive achievers
- Primary Goal: Their focus is on achieving personal accomplishments, which can sometimes come at the expense of the group’s goals.
- Judges Others By: Achievers evaluate others based on their ability to achieve concrete results.
- Influences Others By: They set an example through accountability for their own work.
- Value to the Organization: Achievers excel at setting and completing key result areas for themselves, driving their success and that of the organization.
- Emotions: Achievers are industrious and diligent individuals who often show frustration when facing obstacles.
Characteristics of Achievers
Achievers are motivated by internal drivers and are deeply committed to their personal goals. This commitment often makes them prioritize their own objectives over those of the group, leading them to selectively align with organizational goals when it benefits their own ambitions. Achievers value control over their lives and their work, fostering a strong sense of personal accountability.
Achievers demonstrate a keen interest in their work, characterized by an intense, continual pursuit of accomplishment. They hold a high opinion of their own work quality and often resist delegating tasks, especially when under pressure. Instead, they prefer to take on tasks themselves to ensure they are done correctly. When they do delegate, they are quick to reclaim tasks that do not meet their high standards.
If I succeed, I want the credit; if I fail, I will take the blame.
A typical Achiever’s mindset
Achiever Profile: Common Behaviors and Patterns
- Overuses: Achievers tend to over-rely on self-reliance and become deeply absorbed in their tasks.
- Under Pressure: They may become frustrated and impatient, often shifting from a delegator to a more hands-on approach, focusing intensely on doing the work themselves.
- Fears: Achievers are concerned that others with competing or inferior work standards will negatively impact the results they strive for.
- Key to Improving Effectiveness: Achievers can enhance their effectiveness by avoiding rigid, “either/or” thinking. They should strive for clearer task priorities, consider alternative approaches, and be willing to compromise on short-term gains to benefit long-range success.
Achiever Profile: Strategies for Success
- Expanding Communication: Engaging more with others to broaden their perspectives and explore different approaches to achieving their personal goals.
- Balancing Control and Delegation: Finding a balance between doing tasks themselves and trusting others to take on responsibilities.
- Aligning Personal and Organizational Goals: Seeking ways to integrate their personal ambitions with the broader objectives of the organization.
The Achiever’s Value Proposition
Achievers bring significant value to any organization through their dedication to results and their ability to drive key initiatives forward. They thrive in environments where their contributions are recognized, whether through high wages in for-profit sectors or leadership opportunities in other groups. By fostering their strengths and managing their tendencies to over-control, Achievers can achieve personal fulfillment while contributing meaningfully to their teams.
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