Three Types of Employees, But Only One Outperforms

From CNBC: The way you operate at work plays a crucial role in your career success.

Much of that depends on how you interact (e.g., cooperate, collaborate and manage conflicts) with your colleagues, clients, bosses and people in your professional network. Social psychologists call this your reciprocation style.

In his bestselling book, “Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success,” organizational psychologist and Wharton professor Adam Grant lays out three key reciprocation styles found in the workplace:

1. Takers see the world as a hypercompetitive rat race. Since they assume that no one else will look out for them, they place their own interests first and last. They may choose to help others strategically, but only when the benefit seems to exceed the cost.

2. Matchers operate tit for tat. When people do them a favor, they repay in a capacity that is no more, no less. And when they help someone, they expect the same in return.

3. Givers focus on others more than on themselves. They pay close attention to what people need from them, whether it’s time or ideas or mentorship. A rarity in the workplace, according to Grant, their style is more typical of the way we treat family and friends … (click to read more)