Managing Type A and Type B Personalities: What Works?

No one staff member is exactly alike and for good reason. Each one has their strengths regarding experience and skills.  As an owner or manager of a spa or massage studio you want to leverage these strengths to meet the range of needs clients bring to the table.

But expertise is not the only consideration when hiring a team of people. As you know from your own experiences being on a team – professional, social or sports– there are differences in personalities that come into play in a group setting. Even the most capable employee may have personality traits that throw off the harmony of an organization. Yet that person’s expertise may be invaluable for attracting and retaining a kind of client.

Here is where management skills come in. Assigning work responsibilities to different team members to maximize output is one aspect of management. However, adjusting your management style to individual personality types is often what it takes to ensure that team members reach their potential on behalf of clients and your business.

What are Type A and Type B personalities?

Over the years, researchers have developed several systems that group people into different types of personality, which are conceptual categories to describe the way an individual thinks, feels, behaves and interacts with the world.[1] Depending on the research, the number of ypes varies anywhere from four to 16, with each system based around different assumptions about what personality is .[2] Furthermore, no single trait covers the full complexity of any individual due to the influence and impact of biology, experience and environment.

As you recruit team members for your spa or massage studio, it can be helpful to recognize the characteristics commonly associated with Type A and Type B personalities. Among the diverse ways personality can be described, the Type A and Type B model is a widely recognized way to explain differences in work style and behavior. (The concept of Type A and Type B personalities was first introduced in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman to assess heart disease risk.[3])

Individuals rarely fit neatly into one category. Most people display a blend of personality traits, with one set of tendencies often being more pronounced. However, recognizing Type A and Type B tendencies can help you better understand how candidates may approach customer service, teamwork, the pace of work, and interactions with clients.

Type A personalities are goal-oriented, efficient and proactive, but are prone to stress. They tend to be ambitious and take charge. While they tend to thrive in high-pressure environments, their intensity can often come at a cost. That is because they can be impatient during busy periods or when others work at a different pace.

By comparison, when you examine what Type A and Type B personalities are, you find Type B are easy going, relaxed and low stress. They may be more creative as well as calm, adaptable, and reassuring with clients, but they may need more structure to meet deadlines. They are more apt to bring emotional balance and collaborative thinking, which is highly valued in team-oriented workplaces.

The ideal situation is to recruit a diverse mix of individuals to create balance to move the business forward in a cohesive team-oriented environment. Whereas Type A team members are suited to leading projects and quickly attacking problems; Type B workers are good at mediating conflict and suggesting collaborative solutions. A diverse team of personalities stimulates creative thinking and provides an atmosphere that is calm and reassuring for clients.

Managing Type A and Type B personalities in the workplace

Since your spa or massage practice may have Type A and Type B personalities working together, following are tips for managing each Type:

Because they are extremely focused and work quickly, Type A personalities need constant challenges to avoid getting bored. Since they thrive under pressure, Type A employees can manage time sensitive projects. They are also more adept at spearheading projects and quickly addressing problems. However, you want to encourage Type A personalities to aim for work-life balance so as not to burn out.

Type B personalities, while highly social and collaborate may not do as well under tight deadlines yet are more creative and collaborate. They may be more effective at helping to foster a positive team culture and coach and develop other employees. Because they are more creative, they may be the go to for innovative ideas for advancing the business.

The objective is to match Type A and Type B personalities in your business to the needs of a particular task. For example, you may want a Type A employee to set up systems that streamline ordering backbar and retail products and assign a Type B personality to organize employee brainstorm sessions about marketing and local business partnerships.

Leverage the strengths of each of the personality types to achieve the goals you set for the business. It is also important to get Type A and Type B personalities working together by fostering awareness of each other’s strengths. Promote open communication between team members so that issues do not turn into larger conflicts. And check in with your team members to make sure they feel supported in their respective roles and know that you recognize the value they bring.

Celebrate the differences between your team members.  Type A and Type B personalities working together harmoniously is a foundational strength that can move your spa or massage studio to the next level.