# The Trailblazer (High A, Mid B, Mid C, Low D)

**Core:** Proactive, confident self-starter that thrives in competitive situations. Focused on winning and driven to be the best at work or hobbies. Tenacious and determined in conquering objectives. More analytical in thinking style but also comfortable externalizing thoughts in conversation — a deductive thinker who can talk through situations easily with others.

**Strengths:** Resolute at getting to the other side of any mission, even in uncharted territory. Adept at winning and influencing others through people or thought. Loyal and unselfish — one of the Trailblazer's biggest virtues. Demonstrates sincere empathy and sympathy to others. Can be a charming, sincere listener. Enthusiastic and optimistic. Still adept at building relationships and can be charismatic, though selectively. Will step into a leadership role easily if the team shows signs of wandering.

**Challenges:** Very impatient and restless. Juggles workload in confusing ways — what they appear to be working on can change in an instant. Short attention span; embraces change and gravitates to different projects almost simultaneously. Confusing to track due to shifting priorities and deadlines. Can procrastinate. Can demonstrate negative behavior if left to tasks they don't want to do, making others pick up the slack. Can be insolent if distracted from what they want to do. Opportunistic — will be disrespectful to others who get in their way.

**Management approach:** Mentor them and give them mental challenges in a competitive environment. Provide freedom and independence for spontaneity — holding them hostage makes them difficult. Keep the environment venturesome with new goals and new people. Observe their behavior: through power of observation, they decide whether you or the project is worth their cause. Show them you are trying and they will reward you with loyalty.

**Risk profile:** Enjoys risk and gravitates to venturesome environments. Opportunistic in nature — likes to stay the course and will push past obstacles. Fearless in uncharted territory.

## FlashPoints

| Area | Details |
|------|---------|
| Motivation | Independence, financial rewards, public recognition |
| Communication | Persuasive, conceptual. Phone, text, email. Can revolve around a social outgoing style or a factual/technical one. |
| Management Style | Mentoring, delegates. Moderate direct reports. Can be doting and caring one minute, autocratic and short the next. |
| Organization | Procrastination. Has a filing system but it can be disorderly. Will delegate organization to someone with a better threshold for detail. |
| Environment | Fast paced, change required. Freedom to do what they do best. New goals, new people, new solutions. |

## Variations

Trailblazer patterns share High A + Low D but vary in B and C positions. All variations are competitive, determined, and resolute. The variations show differing balances between social orientation (B) and analytical thinking (C), but all maintain the core drive to win and blaze new trails.

## Summary

- **Motivating Needs:** Can be attracted to being the center of attention and taking pleasure inwardly for a job well done. Take their pulse from time to time to determine what they need.
- **Communication Style:** Can be crisp and specific one minute and hazy the next. Great story tellers but confusing when relating data. Ask them to repeat specifically what you didn't understand. Use voice and email equally.
- **Management Style:** Can be doting and caring one minute to autocratic and short the next. More negative behavior translates to frustration. Ever the watchful eye — you will always know where you stand.
- **Organization Style:** Has a filing system, but it can be disorderly. Procrastinates on piles of miscellaneous items. Will organize surroundings provided they can delegate to someone with a better threshold for detail.
- **Environmental Needs:** Freedom to do what they do best. Becomes restless if the environment stagnates. New goals, new people, and new solutions keep them happy.
