How to Motivate Software Developers, Based on Their Socionic Types, Part 1

Having worked on both jell as a product and as my software development shop, as well as projects before LEZGRO, I've gathered some observations I’d like to share with you in the hopes that it will be of use.

Sometimes you have a great set of developers. You paid a fortune to head hunt them and you pay their salaries. You have all you need for team retention but for some reason you feel your team could be more efficient. Guess what… you are right! By just rearranging your team, and assigning work with an awareness of personality differences, you can reach higher productivity and satisfaction from your developers!

Here are the first 8 out of 16 socionics types. The latter 8 shall be covered in a later blog post…

Intuitive Logical Extrovert – The Innovator

These guys can be extremely unfocused at times but when interested will work at breakneck pace to get the task done. They are very good at experimenting, juggling ideas, trying new things and even breaking new things so that they can fix them. An ingenious problem solver, but needs to be kept entertained, rather than disciplined, when doing his job. Stop them from being bored and they’ll be an asset.

What they bring: (x) novelty and generation of ideas (x) creative solutions to problems.

How to motivate: (x) provide a certain amount of freedom, flexibility and stimulation ; (x) have pleasant, fun events in the office e.g. a “hackathon”.

What to avoid: (x) keep away from monotonous, detailed work; (x) avoid tasks requiring sensitivity and ‘appropriate’ behaviour with clients.

Sensory Ethical Introvert – The Mediator

This type of developer is very artistic. They are ideal front end developers. You will notice that they implement design with a keen awareness of aesthetic quality with every pixel being in its designated place on the screen. They are also excellent at keeping the office environment comfortable and harmonious, mediating disputes between colleagues and brightening up the surroundings. They’ll be the ones who decorate their workspace with flowers and photos of close family.

What they bring: (x) attractive, aesthetic taste; (x) harmonizing relations with others in the office.

How to motivate: (x) comfortable, enjoyable office surroundings, (x) tell them that they are doing a good job and have the potential to do very well.

What to avoid: (x) unknown situations without experience; (x) giving complex tasks that require problem solving.

Ethical Sensory Extrovert – The Enthusiast

A highly involved developer. Once you put an ESE to work, you’ll get a lot of enthusiasm and real inclusion of as many people as possible into its process. ESEs are usually aware of new trends and fashions. Put them on the front end and encourage direct communication with clients. Their extroversion and emotionality will easily impress your clients and being in an environment full of interpersonal interaction will keep the ESEs happy.

What they bring: (x) enthusiasm and enjoyment for his job; (x) finding ways to get other people happy in their surroundings.

How to motivate: (x) keep them in situations where they can work with and motivate other people, (x) give them a sense of rules and structure.

What to avoid: (x) tasks that require waiting and acting at the ‘right time’ (x) tasks that require logical organization.

Logical Intuitive Introvert – The Thinker

Oh boy, LIIs are really into their data. They take to the digital world like a fish to water. While they don’t necessarily like being with people and tend to avoid conversations around the table, making objective, data driven decisions is their thing. If you want to rationalize the area your product development, expect to be impressed by LIIs.

What they bring: (x) organizing and structure; (x) abstract analysis.

How to motivate: (x) structured tasks that require the use of deep thought; (x) give lots of positive reinforcement, showing that you appreciate them.

What to avoid: (x) presentations and performance in front of clients; (x) applying pressure or coercion to make them do things they don’t want to do.

Ethical Intuitive Extrovert – The Icon

An EIE developer? Yes, it is possible!! They usually involve themselves on impulse and then become highly devoted to their job. They have an informal, hearty attitude towards what they are doing, sometimes forgetting about everything else. You will see them working on the project at home without you having to tell them. But their greatest strengths and contributions to your development team are where they can raise group morale and they can be excellent mentors and motivators to many people. They may try to be strict but their energy will keep you energized and highly productive.

What they bring: (x) instilling enthusiasm and a sense of purpose; (x) creating messages and displays to persuade others.

How to motivate: (x) make sure they are accepted and appreciated by the people around them; (x) give them very clear expectations, rules and standards.

What to avoid: (x) anything mundane or chore-like; (x) anything requiring a careful attention to detail.

Logical Sensory Introvert – The Legislator

Personally, this is one of my favourite types of developers, although they can sometimes be very stubborn. The great thing with LSIs is that they value law and order. It doesn’t mean that they lack creativity but generally speaking, they are great developers because they work by following a set of rules. LSIs are quite practical and are geared towards getting immediate results whenever possible (very much fit the SCRUM methodology). They can force other people to obey the rules too. Thus LSIs often make good team leaders.

What they bring: (x) structure, discipline and diligence in the workplace; (x) the ability to create rules and make sure they are kept.

How to motivate: (x) give them clear responsibilities and rules to uphold; (x) keep them enthused and passionate about their job.

What to avoid: (x) ambiguous, unclear expectations; (x) chaotic, inconsistent surroundings.

Sensory Logical Extrovert – The Marshal

SLEs are usually good developers but even better managers. I myself am an SLE and can speak from personal experience. SLEs are often highly impulsive. This lets them shift task quickly and being extroverts they are good at grasping the big picture, keeping on top of the many workings of a team. SLEs are good with machinery but they are also capable at managing people and taking the initiative in situations (better at assertively acting with authority than necessarily structuring their activities in an organized fashion). SLEs work at their best when under stress and intensity. In such situations, they quickly mobilize and get the development team out of the crisis before the deadline. SLEs lose focus and motivation and can even get depressed if there aren’t any deadlines, urgencies or other strong stimuli – thus you’d want to keep your SLE under pressure ;)

What they bring: (x) dynamic leadership; (x) the force of personality to mobilize others into action.

How to motivate: (x) give him the power to act; (x) give him a sense of purpose worth fighting for.

What to avoid: (x) situations where he needs to sit and be patient; (x) areas requiring gentleness and sensitivity to a client’s needs.

Intuitive Ethical Introvert – The Prophet

Although ethical types aren’t developers very often, I’ve dealt with a lot of IEIs. This is probably due to my great chemistry with them (100% compatibility). IEIs have a very soft nature and they approach tasks in an elegant way. They will start with research and will try to understand or comprehend the assignment, then do it step by step. IEIs are not necessarily the greatest technicians but can achieve their goals by working slowly and persistently. IEIs are also good at smoothing social dynamics. Even if they cannot write code, I would keep IEIs in the team to support others and maintain the group chemistry.

What they bring: (x) forecasting how things might turn out later; (x) maintaining good relations with colleagues.

How to motivate: (x) give tasks requiring the use of their imaginations; (x) give them a push to make them more active.

What to avoid: (x) daily tasks requiring common sense and following instructions; (x) situations where they need to be decisive.

Let me know if you recognized your sociotype or that of your team members. Feel free to ask me any questions.