How To Deal With An Analytical (Part 3 of 4)

Analytical

The Analytical personality focuses on the task at hand. They are logical. When you are giving your presentation there is a good chance the Analytical will be looking down, either flipping through your document or at their laptop. It may seem that they are not engaged, but in truth they are listening to everything you are saying. What they are doing is getting deep into the details, checking your sources, analyzing your math, etc. While they focus on the present and want to know your future plans, their theories and ideas all rely on the past.

Primary Need: To be right.

Strengths:

• Deep and thoughtful
• Wants things completed the right way
• Always finishes tasks
• Unselfish

Weaknesses:

• Remembers everything – the good and the bad
• Rigid
• Not people oriented
• A bit self centered

Noticeable Physical Traits:

• Quiet in voice and posture
• Tends to lean back
• Asks questions rather than makes statements
• Their pace of speech is moderate – not too fast or too slow
• Limited eye contact

When Dealing With An Analytical:

Do’s:

• Focus on the past, present & future. The Analytical is all about the data and information.
• Stick to the facts. They are uncomfortable when presenters embellish findings on order to make it more interesting.
• Focus on the details. Do not go off on tangents or fill time with things that are not pertinent to the task at hand.
• Tell exactly what you are going to do. The Analytical wants to know the plan.
• Allow Time To Ponder. The power of the pause is greatly appreciated by the Analytical. They need time to think about what you are saying.
• Assure them that they are right. These are people who live and die by data and facts and they are “never” wrong.

Don’t’s:

• Don’t be vague or illogical. The Analytical is very uncomfortable when presenters are not sure or skirt around details because they don’t know.
• Don’t be intolerant of details. If you know an Analytical is in the audience you cannot shy away from details. In fact, you can’t speak of them as if the details don’t really matter. To the Analytical there is nothing more important than the details.
• Don’t overlook the past. Data is their friend; they rely on it. Any story you tell or results you share are rooted in the past – don’t forget that.
• Don’t rush. The Analytical wants to take his or her time learning, analyzing and figuring things out. If you rush you are showing them that may not really care about the presentation and that there are other more important things.
• Don’t be overly casual. I am not suggesting you wear a Tuxedo when you present. But, don’t be too laid back and nonchalant. Be attentive and know your stuff!

Photo Credit: Scott Smith