Embracing the different personas that make up our workforce

People of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds make up our diverse workforce. New data has revealed which “personas” are most common in the workplace and the advantages each can bring to a team environment.

The top five personas found in Aussie workplaces, as revealed by Slack’s Workplace Personas Research, are:

1. The detective (31 per cent): This group is driven to find solutions and answers, sharing information with others. Being naturally curious is within their wheelhouse, and they are always in the know.
2. The networker (25 per cent): This persona is the social butterfly of any workplace. The networker is known for being highly collaborative, engaged and extroverted, always making sure that teams have the information they might need.
3. The road warrior (21 per cent): Flexible and yet always approachable, the road warrior is always working from different locations and is skilled at developing and fostering connections remotely and virtually. This persona is eager to use modern workplace tools.
4. The problem-solver (13 per cent): The problem-solver has a hack for everything and is obsessed with saving time. Disliking repetitive tasks in the workplace, automation is their best friend. This persona is the most likely to be excited about the adoption of AI at work.
5. The expressionist (10 per cent): Living for less formal communication methods and a strong preference for visuals, the expressionist has never not used an emoji, GIF or meme. Fun and witty messages are their bread and butter – allowing them to express who they are and make sure their message is received as intended.

Derek Laney, APAC technology evangelist at Slack, believes effective workplaces embrace diversity: “Slack’s Workplace Personas Research shows whether you have five or 5,000 employees within your business, every workplace has an entire ecosystem of personalities, working styles and skill sets. No two employees are alike. Diverse teams are productive teams, and you need a platform that enables a range of different styles of work to be successful.”

“Understanding each other’s communication styles allows for a more inclusive and productive team. Having a range of workplace personas not only makes our work days more interesting, but allows for different strengths to come together.”

With diversity comes diversity of thought – an effective way to spur creativity and innovation. Understanding the diverse people that make up an organisation and catering to these varied perspectives can be a great way to stay ahead of the competition by creating a cohesive workforce.

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.