The 4 meeting personalities: which are you?

Meetings: sometimes purposeful and efficient, sometimes mainly a source of frustration. But one thing is always certain - every meeting brings together a motley crew of recognisable characters. Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters shares four common profiles that you no doubt recognise. Which role do you usually play? And how do you get the best out of the others?

1. The dominator

“Let's settle this once and for all” 

This person likes to take the lead and never misses an opportunity to give direction to the conversation. They are decisive, goal-oriented and do not shy away from taking responsibility - traits that are much needed in many meetings to move to action.

At the same time, dominators can be somewhat less sensitive to the input of others. They listen mainly so that they can then talk again themselves, frequently interrupt and tend to see their own views as the only correct ones. This can take the energy out of a group. 

The key to working well with a dominator lies in giving them a clear role, such as chairperson or moderator. This allows them to use their need for control in a way that is constructive for the whole team - and gives them the recognition they are often (unconsciously) looking for.

2. The thinker 

Silence... followed by a brilliant insight, just after the end of the meeting

The thinker is the quiet force in the meeting. This person listens attentively, weighs every word carefully and often comes up with an astute insight only towards the end of the meeting - or just after. Their strength lies in depth, reflection and an unerring eye for coherence. 

However, precisely because thinkers take time to think everything through, their contribution sometimes comes too late or is omitted altogether. The risk is that their valuable input gets lost or ends up in an email conversation.

What thinkers value most is time and preparation. Give them the meeting points well in advance, formulate the questions clearly and give them explicit space to respond during the meeting - even if it takes a while. A thinker thrives in an environment where consideration is more important than quick scoring. 

3. The socializer

"Before we start... how was your weekend?" 

No meeting without a joke, an anecdote or a friendly check-in moment - that's the socializer's territory. This colleague brings lightness, connects people and ensures that the atmosphere does not become too formal or stiff. Their positive energy is often contagious and contributes to team spirit.

Yet this flair also has a downside: socialisers like to deviate from the agenda, lose the thread when things get too substantial and can slow down the pace with their need for conviviality. 

Socialisers thrive in an environment where there is room for the human element. By taking brief time for informal contact at the start of the meeting, socialisers feel seen, making it easier to bring them into the structure of the meeting afterwards.

4. The criticaster 

“But didn't we already try this once in 2018?”

The criticaster is that one colleague who rarely says ‘yes’ without first asking a dozen questions. They have an excellent memory of what went wrong before and are not afraid to challenge new ideas. This attitude ensures depth and prevents the team from moving too quickly into action without considering the risks. 

At the same time, their critical eye can be perceived as discouraging, especially when enthusiasm is still at an early stage with others. The criticaster tends to dwell on what might be wrong, slowing down decision-making.

Acknowledging this person's diligence and inviting them to offer possible solutions alongside criticism creates a valuable balance. They feel appreciated when their need for thoroughness is taken seriously - and when they notice that their concerns are also listened to. 

All different, all valuable

Chances are you recognise one (or more!) of these types in your colleagues - or in yourself. And that is just as well: the success of a meeting does not depend on one style, but on the mix. By recognising each other's qualities and characteristics, you can work together better, hold more effective meetings and maybe even have a bit of fun in the meeting room. 

More information

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