|
Have you
ever thought about the unique personalities that are thrown together in
the workplace? In a perfect world, your co-workers don’t have to be clones,
but they do need a certain amount of cohesiveness to set a positive tone.
No
one likes to work in a place where the unspoken message is “Bite your
tongue.” When the environment is participative, communication is open
and caring. The chemistry among colleagues sizzles. Even when the sparks
of disagreement fly, healthy venting of differences provides opportunities
to improve the product.
What’s
going on where you work? Do people listen when you speak? Likewise,
are you interested in what others have to say and seek them out to exchange
information? Are you enjoying the overall work dynamics and counting on
an upwardly mobile career track? Or have you had a premonition that you’re
riding the elevator to the ground level one last time?
Did
you know that astrology provides considerable insight into how individuals
are likely to approach their work and express their views? The twelve
astrological signs are divided by element: fire, water, earth and air.
The fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) bubble with enthusiasm, passion
and energy. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) feel an intuitive,
sensitive connection to their work and co-workers. The earth element (Taurus,
Virgo and Capricorn) desires stability, organization and a steady paycheck.
The intellect-driven air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) thrive on
communication, versatility and independence. In addition to your Sun sign
qualities, each of you has nine other planets in diverse elements that
make up the sum total of your expressiveness and communicating style.
For this article, however, we’ll stick to how the Sun sign elements talk
business.
Fire
Signs in the Office
Fire signs
exude confidence and make you glad you joined the firm. As team players,
they want a whopping portion of the limelight, yet they make sure colleagues’
contributions receive acknowledgement. Their egos bruise easily, but forgiveness
is instantaneous. A smile, a firm handshake and an invitation to pull
up a chair greet you when you have a meeting or interview with a fire
sign member. An action-oriented element, this group wants to keep things
moving. You are wise to have a plan, progress report or proposal ready
for discussion. If you ramble, you will bore the fire signs. They want
to get to the point, and may think you aren’t prepared. Fire signs get
impatient with employment applicants who don’t answer questions clearly.
Most fire signs will offer you a position in record time. If you are not
selected, you’ll have to do the calling. By the time you realize the job
was filled without you, they have forgotten your name.
Water
Signs in the Office
Water
signs talk with their eyes. They are often the quiet ones in a group,
but take in all facets of the discussion. They show persistence in performing
assigned work and speak the language all bosses love—productivity. Waters
intuitively take the plunge in bidding on prestigious work assignments.
Their resilience pays off in recognition and monetary reward. Many of
the water signs are at home in human resources fields, as they thrive
on people-to-people contact. As communicators, they are very personable
and know how to make you feel at ease. As employers, they promote the
total person concept and appeal to job seekers wanting a balance between
work and home life. The waters are seldom tyrants who make you work the
holiday shift, but they often do it themselves. And they will whine about
it, mark my word. Sometimes employees take water empathy for granted and
pitch sob stories to cover up inefficiency. Not a good move if you are
so inclined—your water sign boss is watching your lying eyes.
Earth
Signs in the Office
Earth
sign communicators weigh their words. They thrive on objectivity and organize
their thoughts before speaking, giving a talk or answering a question.
The language they speak is accomplishment, and they are proud of what
they do as individuals or as team members. This group will buy time by
asking a question if put on the spot. The stall gives them a chance to
regain control of the situation. They would rather be right than have
to retract statements or come across as misinformed. They make their way
up the ladder of success with great deliberation. Change does not come
easily for most earths, who prefer set routines. Although they are cordial
when you enter their workspace, most earth signs frown on frequent interruptions
from colleagues or subordinates. Earth signs will employ “distance” strategies–they
suddenly have to leave for a meeting (in the restroom) until the coast
is clear. If your employer is an earth member, make an appointment or
call ahead. This group is particularly sensitive to timelines.
Air
Signs in the Office
Air
signs are in their element at the podium, running meetings or stirring
up the grapevine in the coffee room. Congeniality runs deep with this
group, and they get energy from verbal exchanges. Members love to talk,
and often make a living in sales, motivational speaking, debating, writing,
entertainment or consulting. The air group breaks the ice by poking fun
at themselves and involving the audience. Airs are designated spokespersons
and emcees for company celebrations more often than not. Sometimes they
don’t know when to quit and events run overtime. Of course, the meeting
started late in the first place because the air sign saw an old friend
in the hall and stopped to chat. Members of this group include geniuses,
diplomats and visionaries, as well as time wasters, chatterboxes and incorrigible
idealists. As employers, they need a solid second-in-command to help deliver
the meat of the work. In turn, their bosses have to look the other way
when the phone bill arrives—a small price to pay considering the good
will air signs bring to the work environment.
This
brief snapshot of Sun sign elements talking business in the workplace
should help you appreciate your colleagues' diversity. Observe for yourself
the drive of fire inspiring earth's solid commitment, while the insight
of water finds expression through the fluency of air. Let the information
work for you to foster good will and build a dynamic team.
|
