Last time we explored why people behave differently at work. Now let's develop your ability to actually read these personality differences in your team members.
Think of this as becoming a workplace detective - noticing patterns and cues that reveal how people naturally operate.
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What subtle behavior will you watch for today?
Here's the key: focus on what people DO, not what you think they ARE. Observable behaviors tell the real story.
For example, notice how someone approaches code reviews. Do they submit detailed pull requests with thorough testing or prefer quick iterations with feedback?
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Can you think of a developer whose code review style you've noticed?
Let's start with conscientiousness - how organized and detail-oriented someone naturally is. This shows up clearly in technical work behaviors.
High conscientiousness: comprehensive test coverage, detailed technical documentation, follows coding standards religiously, never pushes code without review.
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Does this describe anyone on your team?
Low conscientiousness isn't bad - it often means flexibility and adaptability. These people excel when requirements change mid-sprint unexpectedly.
Watch for: comfortable with rapid prototyping, adapts quickly when specs change, focuses on getting features working over perfect code structure, thrives in ambiguous problem spaces.
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Which style sounds more challenging to manage?
Another observable trait is openness to experience. This shows up in how people respond to new technologies, architectural changes, or unfamiliar technical challenges.
High openness: excited about new frameworks, volunteers to investigate new tools, suggests alternative architectural approaches, enjoys learning cutting-edge technologies.
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