The Driver personality type
The Driver personality is a high achiever, a mover and shaker who is definitely not averse to risk. Extroverted, strong-willed, direct, practical, organised, forceful, and decisive.
- Drivers are task-oriented and want immediate results. “What” is their battle cry.
- They take pleasure in power, control and respect. Their pain is lost respect and no results.
- Keep coaching sessions businesslike and factual, and argue facts rather than feelings.
- Offer a narrowed set of options so the decision still feels like theirs.
The Driver personality characteristics
If we were to define driver personality types in one sentence, it's this: the Driver personality style is someone who tells it the way it is, and is very persuasive.
The characteristics of a driver personality are undeniable. You'll often know one when you see one, and watch out, or you'll be worn down and bowled over.
A driver is task- rather than relationship-oriented, and wants immediate results.
This individual is not concerned with how something is done, but what is being done, and what results can be expected. “What” is their battle cry.
“What's going on? What's being done about it? What you should do is …!”
The driver personality weakness is the fact that they're often perceived as stubborn, domineering, impatient, insensitive, and short-tempered, with little time for formalities or niceties.
They can also be demanding, opinionated, controlling, and uncompromising, or even overbearing, cold, and harsh. While this can often make for a challenging work environment, Drivers have particular strengths in sales-focused roles, or positions where there is a tangible (often data-based) success metric in place.
How to coach a Driver personality type
If you're in a management or other senior position, you may encounter situations where you must deal with Driver personality types at work.
The Driver personality at work takes pleasure in power, control, and respect. Their pain is loss of respect, lack of results, and the feeling that they are being taken advantage of.
If you're in a situation where you're dealing with driver personality types, or the driver personality under stress, here are some tips on how to communicate with a driver personality and still have a fruitful coaching interaction.
Talk about expected results
Drivers like to know they're achieving, so results are everything to them, particularly if they work in a sales environment. Make your expectations clear and results-focused.
Be businesslike and factual
Get straight to it. The Driver personality style of communication means that they're not here for chit-chat; they're here to get stuff done, so stick to the facts and ignore the fluff.
Discuss and answer “what” questions
Being businesslike and factual is important, but you'll likely find that the driver will often seek clarification by asking a lot of “what” type questions. They're very action-oriented.
Argue facts, not feelings
Feelings aren't part of the equation for the driver personality, meaning they're more focused on the facts of a situation. If you're looking to correct a technique or behaviour, stick to the facts of the situation. For example, relate the correction back to a policy or an expectation that has already been set and agreed to.
Don't waste time
Get in, get clarification, get agreement and get out. A driver is always on the go, so brevity is key to a successful coaching interaction with this personality type.
Provide options
Knowing that the Driver personality likes to be in control, often the best way to steer them in any particular direction is to provide them with options. Narrowing down the options will help you guide them towards your desired outcome, while still helping them to feel as though they've made the decision themselves.
In summary
When you're coaching or communicating with a Driver:
- Focus on the task
- Talk about expected results
- Be businesslike and factual
- Provide concise, precise, and organised information
- Discuss and answer “what” questions
- Argue facts, not feelings
- Don't waste time
- Don't argue about details
- Provide options
Check out the other personality types
Or take the communication style quiz (opens in a new tab) to discover your own style.
