Here is an illustration to help deepen understanding of the four leadership/interaction styles. This is a metaphor for a task to be accomplished. It is intended to be a fun way to differentiate the four styles.

Visualize, if you will, a workbench. On the workbench, from left to right are a dozen paint cans filled with metal bolts. As you might imagine, the cans are very heavy and cannot be lifted easily. On each paint can is a single letter of the alphabet, and the cans are arranged in alphabetical order. The task is to clear the workbench. How might the four different leadership styles approach the task?

For the Director, the task will require that each can be emptied to the point where the cans can be lifted and moved to another location, but no more. Perhaps half of can A will be emptied and moved; then half of B will be placed in A, half of C in B, and so forth until all the cans are moved — then the first portion of can A will top off can L. The idea is to do the least amount of work to move through the task systematically. If the Director is working with others on the task, he or she will give clear instructions on the "best way" or the "right way" to do the job, and he or she will emphasize doing the job quickly and well.

The Thinker will likely take a thorough approach, emptying all of can A before moving on to B, and emptying all of B before moving on to C, and so on. Once more, moving in an orderly manner through the cans, the Thinker will want to make sure that nothing goes wrong. The Thinker believes that it is better to do a little more work at the outset than to have to go back and do the work over later. Working with others, the Thinker will try to ensure that corners aren’t cut and that the job is done right the first time. Generally, the pace will be leisurely.

The Pleaser will not only strive to get the bench cleared, but he or she will make sure that the cans are stored out of the way and tidy. More likely than not, the Pleaser will not do the task alone. With help, Pleasers will pitch in to empty the cans. For Pleasers, the work together is as important as the end result. Whereas a Director might assign different people to work on different cans simultaneously, a Pleaser is more likely to encourage the fellowship of everyone working together, one can at a time.

The Dreamer will probably begin by trying to lift the cans, even though they are too heavy. Once the Dreamer discovers that he or she really can’t lift the full cans, the Dreamer may begin taking bolts out of various cans with both hands, mixing the bolts together as he or she refills the cans that have been moved. While Directors, Thinkers, and Pleasers may be more likely to move through the cans in order, Dreamers will randomly select which can to empty next — it doesn’t matter (a Dreamer will tell you), as long as the workbench ends up empty. With a group, Dreamers will let everyone take on the task individually, but they may voice opinions about how to do the job "better" along the way.

All four styles of leadership will get the job done. All four will be effective. However, it is easy to see how the different leadership styles might cause tension and conflict when mixed together. Our tendency is to settle on our way as the "right" way; when in fact, our way is simply one way among many.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

Posted 1-31-02