Let’s talk about the two types of personalities in the workplace.
It’s been an age-old struggle between the two: Systems Makers and Systems Breakers.
You have the people who create, document, visualize and update systems. Usually, these are the people who run the systems and oftentimes, supervise them and even insist on them happening. These are the System Makers.
Then you have the people who see all the errors and issues with the system. They see improvements and opportunities and sometimes even get frustrated and break systems because they find the exceptions to the rule. These are of course System Breakers.
Spoiler Alert: You need both!
While Makers sound noble and even perhaps like the “right” way to do things, Breakers are just as essential for running a successful business. We’d even venture as far as to say they are better at the successful growth of a business than a Maker. (Somedays anyways!)
The truth is, we’re all a little bit of each, but we do tend towards one or the other. So, let’s take a closer look.
SYSTEMS MAKER
- Tend to be organized, methodical people.
- See the system and the value in it.
- Strive to understand what a system is and how it’s running in detail.
- Can get lost in the weeds and details.
- Will stick to a system even if it’s imperfect.
- May create systems on top of systems resulting either in gears that turn one another or a ten-car pileup.
An example of a systems maker is a Content Manager.
It starts with a great piece of content – say a podcast. Full of information and an excellent call to action. The content manager then turns that podcast into a blog article, which links in an email blast. A few social media posts and a share opportunity are added.
Then she revisits the podcast in six months and pulls out a few quotes to post on social media, interlinks the blog article with newer resources, and adds it to an article round-up in an email for the month.
What started as just a podcast has now become a multi-level marketing strategy that can extend the life of the content 100 fold.
Another common systems maker role is Project Manager.
He sees and implements the system in every project. He breaks it down into different responsibilities and tasks.
Systems makers are the people who love flow charts and tracking useful data. They know how to get from point A to point B and can easily break down all the steps to get the job done.
But what about the other side of the coin?
Systems Breaker
- Usually has a great view of the big picture: where we’re going and where we’ve been.
- Is a visionary, an ideas-type personality
- Sees the opportunities in a system
- Can become frustrated when systems don’t work or are unwieldy.
- Doesn’t always know why a system isn’t working but can clearly identify all the frustrations and issues it’s causing.
- Not a fan of the 10-car pile-up of systems on top of systems.
- Views creating a system as more complicated than doing it in the most efficient way
Business owners with an “entrepreneurial spirit” are often Systems Breakers. They have great ideas, and goals and are going places, if only they could figure out how to get there.
They can get bogged down trying to fit into systems that others create, frustrated, and confused why those systems are not working for them. Sometimes they even feel obligated to become a Systems Maker (or at least a systems follower) so that their business can run well.
However, the key to Systems Breakers is their superpower. They know exactly what is wrong with systems! They can take one run through it and tell you in detail what frustrations, issues, and problems are arising.
This of course creates the conflict between Systems Makers and Systems Breakers!
System Breakers don’t necessarily break systems, but they do tend to break systems for a System Maker. See the difference? While a System Maker tends to create too many complicated systems for the System Breaker.
So, we find this a potential for conflict all the time.
Have you ever experienced this scenario?
Maker: “Hey! I had this great new idea for (insert system)!”
Breaker: *heaves a great sigh* “Oh?”
Maker: “Yes! We’ll (A) then (B) then (C) and when (D) we’ll (E ) or (F), follow up with (G) and just do (H) and (I) every fourth Tuesday of the month!”
Breaker: “Uh but what about (1), (2), or (3)?”
Maker: “Oh. I didn’t think about that.”
Sound familiar? And the key here is what you do next. If it’s just an argument of who is right, nothing will get done but if the Systems Maker and the Systems Breaker can work together, then the end product can be a system that not only works but works well.
A Systems Breaker has to listen, give feedback and then try the system. They have to accept that the system isn’t perfect yet, and make motions to get it closer. Their dedication to patience and communication makes all the difference.
A Systems Maker has to not take a Breaker’s reaction as personal criticism. Instead, the Maker must rein in the enthusiasm and use it to make the suggested improvements. Their dedication to continual improvement is what makes all the difference.
And so, it’s important that you not operate in isolation no matter what working personality type you are.
If you do, you can either end up not having any systems or having far too many systems.
Having someone to counterbalance your strengths is critical. Finding a balance in your team even more so.
According to Charlie Beckett..
“Disruption’ is a key idea for entrepreneurs seeking to forge new business models that capture new markets. Yet, the paradox of disruption is that the rule-breakers have to become systems-makers. And the critical difference between sustainable success and failure, for those who create novel strategies, is that they must be flexible enough to change again.”
That applies to both our system makers who need to be flexible enough to change their systems and to System Breakers who need to be flexible enough to know we have to start somewhere and improve.
And that the improving process is a system in and of itself.
In the end, it matters that we make effective systems.
Whether you are a Systems Maker or a Systems Breaker (or a bit of both), the truth is you are absolutely essential.
And though “systems” can sometimes be an ugly word it’s not, it’s a beautiful word.
Ready to set up a team to balance out your strengths?