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Less skilled
• Is slow to act on an opportunity.

• Spends too much time planning and looking for information.
• May be overly methodical, taking too long to act on a problem.
• Is reluctant to step up to challenges; waits for someone else to take action.
Talented

• Quickly and decisively takes action in fast-changing, unpredictable situations.
• Shows a tremendous amount of initiative in tough situations; is exceptional at spotting and seizing
opportunities.

Overused skill
• Pushes solutions before adequate analysis.

• May waste energy by immediately tackling an issue, forcing rework along the way.
• Is so ready to act alone, misses counsel from others.

Some possible causes of lower skill
Causes help explain why a person may have trouble with Action oriented. When seeking to increase skill,
it’s helpful to consider how these might play out in certain situations. And remember that all of these can
be addressed if you are motivated to do so.

• Burned out.
• Hesitates too much.
• Reluctant to make a decision.

• Not motivated, bored.
• Not passionate enough about work.
• Perfectionist.
• Procrastinates.

• Lacks self-confidence.
• Slow to grab opportunities.
• Won’t take a risk.

Brain booster
Are you a multi-tasker? Action-oriented people often try to do more than one thing at once. Check e-mail
while cooking dinner, carry on two conversations at once, wrap up writing two or more reports at the same
time. What we think of as multi-tasking is really just juggling. Switching your attention between tasks
quickly may feel like a necessary survival skill, but toggling between tasks has a cost. Studies that look at

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