Animals In The Office - Which Chinese zodiac sign are you?
01/03/2009

Are you the mischievous office monkey or the demanding office dragon? As the Chinese New Year approaches and we celebrate the year of the Ox, we look at the Chinese zodiac and how the different personality traits can create a winning team in the workplace. The Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics of the animal associated with that year.

According to Aberdeen-based Fifth Dimension, staff can often be categorised into a number of worker 'types', which, once recognised, can help when it comes to appreciating the ranges of skills and experiences present in a team and allocating work accordingly.

"Your working environment is made up of all nature of characters," says Bill Duncan of professional presenters and magicians Fifth Dimension.

"Being able to identify these differing personalities is a valuable tool when it comes to understanding not only where you fit into the team, but how you can effectively adapt your own approach to best match each individual. You must learn to recognise, understand and respond to the different personality styles found in the workplace to be able to connect and build great relationships with your co-workers."

Bill continues, "The better working relationships you form can lead to increased job satisfaction, more recognition and an even greater chance of progression. It can also help you develop your talents in different areas by learning from the accomplishments, and mistakes, of others."

Fifth Dimension present their take on the Chinese zodiac and the different personality traits to look out for in the workplace.

The Rat
Rats make excellent bosses. The rat tends to take charge in group situations and is good at organising colleagues and delegating tasks. There is an unspoken agreement between colleagues with regard to the rat's importance and they behave accordingly. Invaluable in team tasks, this worker type thrives in people-oriented activities but is equally productive when left to his or her own devices.

The Ox
This worker type is used to making all the decisions, mediating conflicts, determining the movements of the group, leading the others and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of the troop. Oxen possess a keen eye for detail and an admirable work ethic. They are more productive when allowed to work alone. As you'd expect this character is likely to be a positive influence in the workplace - until his authority is threatened that is.

The Tiger
Tigers have a continual need to be challenged in the workplace, they can be a liability as they may well choose to ignore tasks that are not to their liking and will not respond well to pressure. Tigers are smart and are quick to master new skills.

The Rabbit
Rabbits are quite the perfectionist, everything has to be arranged as they wish, they are articulate and good communicators. They like to work at their own pace and don't adapt well to competitive or aggressive office environments. They are very helpful and take care of their employees and fellow colleagues.

The Dragon
Dragons like to lead rather than to be led. They are proactive and courageous, the decision-making worker type wastes no time in getting things done and is not afraid to take responsibility for his or her own actions. While this is generally a good thing, be aware of those decision makers who rush a process simply to get it out of the way, as hurried tasks can cause problems at a later stage.

The Snake
Snakes work very hard, but their somewhat laid-back attitude causes them to be mistakenly categorised as slackers, but nothing could be further from the truth. Snakes like to express their creativity, they thrive under pressure and they're excellent problem-solvers.

The Horse
Horses enjoy interacting with others, theyre effective communicators and they enjoy power. They aren't fond of taking orders, however they're able to grasp new subjects with ease making them capable of handling most any job. If they are not given enough challenging tasks they can display a tendency towards neurotic or destructive behavior.

The Ram
The ram prefers to be part of a team. Power and status aren't important to the ram, they will only assume leadership roles when asked directly and they'll never volunteer.

The Monkey
The monkey will use any means at its disposal to get its own way - for this tenacious worker the end really does justify the means. They're very intelligent and like to get things done.

The Rooster
This staff member definitely works best on their own and the rest of the team know to avoid him at all costs. He is highly motivated and hard working, but has a reputation for a fiery temper and his keen memory means that he isnt one to let go of a grudge.

The Dog
The team player is an invaluable link in the chain of any organisation and can be relied upon to rally round and muck in when the going gets tough. Hard working, co-operative and compromising, the team player often ends up being everyone's best friend. This worker type can find decision making difficult.

The Pig
With an unrivalled commitment to their tasks, Pig's are the most motivated and dedicated members in the team, regularly working after hours to get the job done. This worker type excels when surrounded by workers of a similar commitment level but is less productive when working alone.

According to Fifth Dimension an effective team requires balance and therefore needs an effective mix of people, skills and abilities. A good team leader knows their team and the skills set within it and being aware of these, recognises that each person has a unique contribution to make. Being able to utilise the strengths of the different types of 'Chinese zodiac' in the team can be the key to success.


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