I’m reading this book right now. Got me curious about the kind of leaders Stackers are.
Formalist refers to people who use performance metrics and key performance indicators. They tap on official work channels and advocate best practices and are conscientious about following protocols. Preserving the company culture, so to speak.
Informalist refers to people who are more relationship-driven. They pause to hang out by the water cooler and/or go out for smoking breaks. They use such third places to let their hair down a little and cultivate non-perfunctory relationships with their colleagues. They may indulge a little in spilling the tea because swapping news about their colleagues and clients enhances their social capital.
Given the focus Emotional Intelligence has garnered in recent years, I think it’s safe to say that most of us maintain a (precarious?) balance between the formalist and informalist. At what point would you put yourself on this formalist-informalist continuum? Are you therefore happy about your working style?