THE LEARNER

This person is an expert and a font of knowledge in their given area, whether that’s ancient archaeology or the merits of new cancer-fighting drugs. They’re highly valued for their knowledge and expertise and they save companies huge amounts of money and time because they can predict with detail and accuracy of the merits or pitfalls of any given plan. They’re highly focused people and passionate about their specialist area. They’re trustworthy and at the top of the field in their subject. What they do: They’re found in engineering, building, computing and scientific roles, and some work with foreign languages as interpreters and translators. Weaknesses: The learner can be obsessive and not interested in anything outside their specialist area. In turn, if colleagues aren’t interested in the Learner’s field of expertise, they tend to find them dull. The Learner is often seen as an outsider within an organisation – they’re like a consultant who appears on the payroll but isn’t one of the team. There’s a danger they over specialise in an area that may become outdated, and that’s when they hit a brick wall in their career path.

CAREER TIP:

Find out if specialising is a good long-term career strategy – look at recent promotions within your company and see who’s moving upwards. Keep updating your skills so you move with the times and don’t get left behind with your outdated knowledge.