Generally speaking, I don't like putting people in boxes. Categorizing humans seems inherently too simplistic, and so I shy away from certain Facebook photo activities and even useful, academic tools like The Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
Of course, the tools for categorizing friends and family range in simplicity. In fact, the first link I posted is so outrageously primitive in comparison to Myers Briggs that I almost refrained from drawing a comparison between the two. Despite the hilarity of some (mostly) harmless Facebook tagging, and the undeniable truths drawn from well-researched personality testing, activities like these can be taken to an unhealthy level and result in real, live, complicated humans being reduced to a few letters.
I should say before I continue that I have some wonderful friends who know much more about MBTI than I do, and they are able to have real, informed dialogue about it. I'm not arguing against it, I'm only saying that it, like any other created thing in the world, can be used incorrectly.
That being said, I'm about to categorize a few people who are very important to me, hopefully in the way that least stifles their intricate, beautifully complicated personalities. But, since human categorization is inherently over-simplistic, as I argued before, please bear in mind that each of these individuals is much more than I describe in the next few paragraphs. Company and co-worker names have been changed!
Laura: The Funky One
My first job was at a family-owned coffee shop in a run-down downtown with a few shady lawyers and a bankrupt newspaper that folded.
But the shop had a little firework of a lady that made everyone around her happier - Laura. Laura was tiny, had a different hair color every two weeks, and knew the name and order of just about everyone who walked through the front door. She was funky. She tried vegetarianism for fun and challenged herself to see how long she could go without shaving her legs. She was innovative and friendly. We swapped pants for a day once and traded shoes for half a year when she moved so that we'd have to meet up again to return them to each other. She was incredibly optimistic, claiming that all Chicago seasons are wonderful, because the awful ones help us to appreciate the better ones.
Laura showed me that as a worker I should invest in the people around me, avoid mundane routine by distinguishing my days, and pour Fisherman Hat John's coffee to the best of my ability. Black, no lid.
Claire: The Elusive One
I worked at the coffee shop for over four years, but when I went to college, I needed a job that was closer and that had more flexible hours. That's when I started working for a paper supply company and met Claire, nonsense's worst enemy.
Claire was a concoction of unlikely characteristics. She was incredibly efficient, but fun-loving. Sternly spunky. Practical with big ideas. Easy-going with high standards of excellence. Critical but loyal. And she let her personality show everyday. Much of Claire's work was necessarily self-directed, but the multi-tasking wizard was up for it. Somehow, she always completed her ordered chaos by the end of the day.
Claire reminded me that people are multi-dimensional. In maintaining a healthy balance of opposites, she showed me that taking the lead is important, but considering direction from outsiders is, too.
Jen: The Feisty One
Happily employed at a small consulting center soon after graduation, I began my work with Jen. Jen and I worked as secretaries, and bonded quickly over Halloween candy and pasta. She knew the clients, the suppliers, and the staff that worked in the office next door.
Jen seemed quiet at first, but she was feisty, and she needed to be. Receptionists often end up doing the widest variety of tasks, even ones that are outside of their job description, training, or scope of ability. The amount of work Jen had on her shoulders was tremendous, but she persevered because finances were tight.
Jen pretended to punch the people that annoyed her. She had an impressive reverse sidekick that could come out of nowhere. Some might think this is a violent means of expressing frustration, but really, it was just plain funny. That lady could make me laugh even when I thought I'd grind my teeth to powder out of frustration. Jen was underpaid and under-appreciated, but she endured.
Jen taught me that a worker should be able to put up with a little crap, but constantly called attention to the fact that workers should also be able to voice when the crapload is too much. Her continual dedication in the face of continual frustration was a powerful testimony to me.
These women, although their positions were not glamorous, did their duties excellently, with a mind for others. They're unique blends of characteristics, but they all managed to radiate in their various occupations. So, my advice: we should all find folks who shine. Categorizing humans might help you do this, it might not.
Either way, we should surround ourselves with radiators and let them rub off on us.
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