Tester Lester's Results

Where This Fits

Excitement is an ENVIRONMENT value, meaning it focuses on the setting and atmosphere in which you work, rather than just the tasks themselves. People who value excitement seek an environment that energizes them, keeps them on their toes, and feels stimulating. Excitement can come in many forms: through unpredictability, urgency, or creative challenges. While excitement isn't a quality often associated with traditional work environments, it can be crucial for those who thrive on variety, novelty, and a sense of adventure.

What You’re Seeking

If excitement is high for you, you're likely drawn to jobs that offer fast-paced, dynamic settings, or a mix of high-stakes and novelty. These environments might include roles where no two days are the same, where you get to improvise and react quickly, or where the stakes feel real and impactful. You may find enjoyment in roles that others find too unpredictable or intense, and you’re likely to thrive in an environment that brings urgency and even a degree of pressure. Physical excitement can be found in action-oriented or risk-based jobs, while social excitement might involve performance or high-visibility work.

Excitement pairs well with values like Variety (frequent change and novelty), Flexibility (adapting to unexpected situations), and Purpose (when exciting work aligns with meaningful goals). Together, these values create a highly stimulating and motivating work environment.

Crafting Your Position

Infuse more excitement into your role by seeking out novelty, high-stakes projects, and dynamic responsibilities.

1. Seek Out High-Impact Projects: Volunteer for projects or assignments that have tight deadlines, involve creative problem-solving, or have a significant impact on the organization. These types of tasks add a sense of urgency and excitement.
2. Look for Opportunities to Perform or Present: Whether in front of a large audience or just your team, volunteer for public presentations, pitches, or training sessions. Being in the spotlight can provide the thrill of performance and a sense of adrenaline.
3. Suggest Rotation or Cross-Training: If your current role feels too predictable, see if there’s an option to rotate between departments or cross-train in a related area. Learning new tasks keeps things fresh and increases engagement.
4. Embrace Projects with Uncertain Outcomes: When possible, take on tasks that require a trial-and-error approach or that don’t have a set roadmap. Innovating as you go can add excitement and keep your role feeling dynamic.
5. Incorporate Physical Energy into Your Day: If your job allows it, add some movement to your daily routine—take walking meetings, rearrange your workspace for activity breaks, or engage in fieldwork when possible.
6. Engage in Competitive or Time-Bound Tasks: Add elements of gamification, such as timed challenges or friendly competitions with colleagues, to energize routine tasks and create a sense of urgency.

Potential Pitfalls & Solutions

Keep the excitement in check to avoid stress or burnout.

1. Pitfall: Potential for Overwhelm Due to High-Stakes, Fast-Paced Work
   Solution: To manage intensity, establish short “recovery” periods between high-adrenaline projects. Block time for calm, focused work after a burst of activity to prevent burnout while still keeping excitement alive.
2. Pitfall: Difficulty Staying Engaged During Routine or Administrative Tasks
   Solution: Batch repetitive tasks together and set personal challenges or timed goals to make them feel more engaging. Finding small ways to add excitement can help you power through necessary, less-thrilling parts of your job.
3. Pitfall: Risk of Taking on Too Many Projects for the Sake of Variety
   Solution: Prioritize projects that truly align with your strengths and values. Rather than adding excitement by overcommitting, focus on tasks that provide both energy and meaningful contribution to avoid burnout.
4. Pitfall: Feeling Out of Place in a Predictable or Stable Environment
   Solution: If your role is low in excitement by default, create mini-projects or take on responsibilities that introduce variety. Propose ways to shake up routines, like piloting a new approach or trying a side project within your team’s goals.

By finding ways to make your work environment dynamic and engaging, you can fuel your excitement and thrive on a sense of challenge. This approach will keep you motivated and energized, allowing you to make a lasting impact in your role.

Where This Fits

Flexibility is an ENVIRONMENT value, which relates to the physical and structural setting of your work. If flexibility ranks highly for you, you likely want a work environment that allows you to set your own schedule or adapt your work hours as needed. Flexibility empowers you to structure work around your life rather than the other way around. This adaptability can increase job satisfaction, reduce stress, and lead to greater overall well-being. A flexible work environment is outcome-focused, emphasizing results over rigid schedules and offering you a sense of freedom in how and when you work.

What You’re Seeking

With flexibility as a top value, you are looking for roles that allow you to manage your own time, ideally with an option for remote or hybrid work. You’ll find fulfillment in jobs where the focus is on deliverables and results rather than specific office hours, giving you the ability to balance work with other personal commitments. This type of environment also benefits people who work best with autonomy and minimal micromanagement, enabling them to thrive through self-motivation.

Flexibility complements values like Autonomy (control over how you work), Predictability (setting your own stable routines), and Excitement (adapting to changes in a dynamic environment). Together, these values help you find a fulfilling work-life blend that enables both productivity and personal satisfaction.

Crafting Your Position

Increase your flexibility by setting clear goals and demonstrating consistent results.

1. Establish Open Conversations About Flexibility: During meetings with your manager, discuss your work style and preferences around flexible hours or remote work. By explaining how flexibility enhances your productivity, you can help set the foundation for a supportive work environment.
2. Request Outcome-Based Goals: Propose setting goals based on specific deliverables or outcomes rather than time spent. This gives you room to manage your own time while still ensuring productivity aligns with organizational objectives.
3. Communicate Proactively: Share regular updates on your work progress. By keeping your manager in the loop, you reinforce that flexibility doesn’t hinder your performance, which helps to build trust and maintain the flexibility you need.
4. Use Flexibility to Meet Deadlines Ahead of Time: Show the benefits of flexible working by occasionally completing tasks ahead of schedule. Consistently exceeding expectations can demonstrate that a flexible arrangement is beneficial for everyone.
5. Experiment with Ideal Work Hours: Test different schedules to discover when you’re most productive and share these insights with your manager. For example, if you work best in the mornings, propose arranging meetings in the afternoon or blocking focused time earlier in the day.
6. Respect Key Office Hours: Even in a flexible role, be mindful of times when team interaction is essential. Flexibility works best when balanced with respect for the needs of the team, which will help maintain trust and mutual support.

Potential Pitfalls & Solutions

Flexibility requires setting boundaries and managing expectations to avoid conflicts.

1. Pitfall: Lack of Structure Leading to Overwork
   Solution: Set personal boundaries around work hours, even when working remotely. Use tools like a set “end of workday” reminder or a scheduled walk to create a clear break between work and personal time.
2. Pitfall: Misalignment with a Less Flexible Team or Manager
   Solution: Align with your team by openly discussing flexible work arrangements, and clarify times when you’ll be available to collaborate. Reinforce your commitment to the team while also advocating for your preferred working style.
3. Pitfall: Risk of Being Perceived as Less Committed
   Solution: Be visible in team communications and proactive in sharing your achievements. Make a point to attend important meetings and be responsive, so others recognize that flexibility supports rather than diminishes your productivity.
4. Pitfall: Finding Flexibility Hard to Achieve in Traditional Work Cultures
   Solution: If you’re in a traditionally rigid environment, propose a trial period of flexible hours with measurable goals. Show evidence of increased productivity or reduced stress, which can help make the case for a more permanent arrangement.

Flexibility allows you to align your work life with personal needs, creating a balanced and satisfying environment. By building trust, delivering results, and staying communicative, you can integrate flexibility into your role to enhance both productivity and well-being.

Where This Fits

Purpose is an OUTCOME value, reflecting a desire for work that is deeply meaningful and connected to a cause or mission. For those who value purpose, work satisfaction is closely tied to the sense that their efforts are making a positive impact, whether by serving a community, advancing a mission, or supporting others. Feeling purpose at work provides a strong sense of motivation and fulfillment, transforming work from just a job into something that brings meaning and value to daily life.

What You’re Seeking

With purpose as a top value, you’re looking for roles that allow you to connect with the organization’s mission, contribute to a meaningful cause, or make a difference in people’s lives. You’re likely to find satisfaction in environments where you can see the direct impact of your work on clients, colleagues, or the community. Whether the purpose is social, environmental, educational, or otherwise, aligning with an organization’s mission will be essential to feeling engaged and fulfilled. Finding purpose may mean focusing on roles where values are integral to the company culture and where the team shares a commitment to making a positive impact.

Purpose aligns well with values like Collaboration (working with others toward a common goal), Sociability (connecting with people who care about similar causes), and Leadership (guiding others to achieve meaningful goals). Together, these values foster a work environment that is both socially and professionally fulfilling.

Crafting Your Position

Deepen your sense of purpose by focusing on impact, connections, and contributions.

1. Connect with the Beneficiaries of Your Work: If possible, find ways to interact directly with the people or groups who benefit from your work. This might mean spending time with clients, observing how your work affects others, or even reading testimonials, which can be a great reminder of your impact.
2. Align Projects with the Mission: Whenever possible, choose projects that directly contribute to the organization’s mission. Propose initiatives that align with the company’s purpose and allow you to feel a stronger connection to meaningful outcomes.
3. Build Relationships with Like-Minded Colleagues: Seek out colleagues who share your values and are equally inspired by the mission. Working with others who feel connected to the purpose can amplify your own motivation and strengthen team commitment.
4. Highlight the Purpose in Daily Work: Remind yourself and your team of the mission regularly, especially in meetings or during project updates. Keeping the purpose visible will help reinforce why you do what you do, even on challenging days.
5. Share Stories of Impact: When you or your team accomplish something meaningful, share the story. Whether it’s in a team meeting, a newsletter, or a presentation, celebrating these moments of impact can reinforce your sense of purpose and inspire others.
6. Engage in Volunteer or Outreach Opportunities: Many mission-driven organizations offer volunteer or outreach programs. Participate in or help organize these efforts, which are a direct way to connect with the mission outside of your regular duties.

Potential Pitfalls & Solutions

Balance your desire for purpose with realistic expectations and empathy for different perspectives.

1. Pitfall: Feeling Isolated When Others Don’t Share Your Passion
   Solution: Recognize that different team members are motivated by different values, and that’s okay. Focus on building connections with colleagues who do share your passion, while respecting those who may not prioritize purpose in the same way.
2. Pitfall: Frustration with Routine Tasks That Feel Detached from Purpose
   Solution: Look for ways to connect even routine tasks back to the larger mission. For example, consider how these tasks support the overall mission or contribute indirectly to the company’s impact.
3. Pitfall: Becoming Discouraged by Bureaucracy or Obstacles to Impact
   Solution: Find small wins and incremental changes that align with the mission, even if they don’t solve every issue. Set realistic goals for progress and celebrate these steps toward greater impact.
4. Pitfall: Risk of Burnout Due to Over-Commitment to the Mission
   Solution: Set healthy boundaries to ensure your dedication to purpose doesn’t lead to burnout. Recognize that self-care is crucial to sustaining your commitment to the mission in the long term.

By embracing roles and projects that reinforce purpose and connecting with like-minded colleagues, you can make your work deeply meaningful. These strategies will allow you to contribute in ways that resonate with your values and foster a fulfilling, impactful career.