Leading Explorers: How to Fix the January Problem
Learn why Explorers may struggle after a holiday break (and how quick wins can help them regain momentum)
While some people naturally ease back into their routines after a work break, your more hands-on team members might be struggling to find their rhythm. These are the Explorer personality types – ISTPs (Virtuosos), ISFPs (Adventurers), ESTPs (Entrepreneurs), and ESFPs (Entertainers).
If you’re seeing signs of restlessness or disconnection in typically action-oriented employees, this guide will help you understand why – and show you exactly how to help them quickly regain their momentum.
In this article, you’ll discover:
How to identify Explorer personalities on your team
Why action-oriented team members face unique challenges after time off
Perfect “quick win” opportunities for each Explorer personality type
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Let’s start by looking at the key signs that you have an action-oriented Explorer personality on your team. 👇
How to Spot an Explorer Team Member:
They prefer learning by doing rather than reading manuals or documentation
They show visible restlessness during lengthy planning meetings
They volunteer for tasks requiring immediate action
They adapt swiftly to unexpected changes or crisis situations
They bring practical, experience-based solutions to discussions
They often find creative workarounds to procedural bottlenecks
They demonstrate remarkable skill at troubleshooting in real-time
Still not sure about a team member’s personality type? Use our free type-guesser tool to guesstimate it.
Once you’ve identified the Explorers on your team, let’s dive into exactly how to help them channel their hands-on energy into quick wins that will jumpstart their momentum. 👇
The Post-Holiday Explorer Challenge: Getting Back in the Flow
During the holidays, Explorers typically engage in various hands-on activities and experiences. Whether it’s tackling home improvement projects, exploring new places, or engaging in physical activities, they’ve likely been actively doing things on their time off.
Returning to work isn’t just about getting back to a routine – it’s about transitioning from one type of engaged activity to another.
The key to helping Explorers regain their momentum lies in providing opportunities for active engagement rather than passive absorption. While other team members might benefit from detailed planning sessions or theoretical discussions about the year ahead, Explorers need something more tangible.
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