The Low C profile is a restless wiring pattern
These individuals can be inpatient, have short attention spans and require a variety of activities to maintain their interest. On the upside, these individuals accept pressure, adapt well to changing priorities and easily transition between multiple tasks and assignments. They seem to enjoy and sometimes create a sense of urgency in their daily lives. Low C’s often challenge themselves to make every minute count by tight scheduling, adding more to an already full plate, or attempting to do more in less time. Low C’s often get much done, but the challenge to the individual is ensuring that higher priority tasks receive all the time and attention they deserve among the multitude of assignments faced on a daily basis. Oftentimes, these restless people can be distracted by lesser priorities, as those lesser priorities may be easier to just get done. We joke (somewhat) in training that the best of days for even an attentive Low C can be easily derailed by a single “squirrel” in the workplace.
Open work spaces and mobility seem to be tailor-made for the Low C profile. The constant changing of venue creates an influx of new issues and problems offer variation to the Low C’s scheduled tasks of the day and plays well into their wiring’s LIFO tendencies. Low C’s tend to prioritize Last In, First Out and give more attention to an immediate matter at hand over that which occurred earlier in time.
Handling distractions and juggling work priorities are easily accommodated by the Low C profile, which readily transitions between multiple assignments. Because of this natural tendency, however, Low C’s often do not appreciate or understand that others (High C profiles) find constant distractions and interruptions disconcerting and time consuming. The High C and Low C profiles transition quite differently, with High C’s being more sequential in task completion and Low C’s jumping into and out of the middle of projects all day long with little effort.
If you are managing Low C profiles, please consider the following:
1. Variation is important to the profile. Changes in workflow, assignments, and physical environment stimulate the Low C profile. Changing activity will prompt greater productivity as this profile thrives on variation. Without variation, Low C’s often feel bored or unchallenged and may create drama or interest in the workplace. If stymied on a particular task – sometimes even a walk around the block or the workplace will give this profile a fresh perspective.
2. This wiring pattern may have the tendency to act or react too quickly. Caution Low C profiles to exercise patience in the workplace. It is not uncommon to see a temporary drop in productivity as changes occur in work processes, but that should not, by itself, be unexpected or prompt reactionary changes. Expect and plan for ramp up time for new plans and processes to be fully implemented.
3. Encourage Low C profiles to incorporate “tickler” or reminder systems to keep high priority projects in plain sight until completed. Creating daily lists, CRM programs, Franklin Planners, Outlook calendars and even sticky notes can prevent important tasks from falling through the cracks when a Low C is confronted by multiple “squirrels” in the workplace.
High C profiles often view Low C profiles as being on too much caffeine. When Low C’s and High C’s work together, however, they often form effective teams which play to their strengths and balance their limiting tendencies. The best workplaces need both.