Common work challenges, similar job roles, social dynamics, office rituals and just plain old human nature result in the existence of common workplace archetypes across different offices around the world. While not every office may have the exact same archetypes, there are certain universal traits and behaviours that tend to manifest across diverse workplaces.
Here are 7 archetypes that emerge in office environments:
- The Office Joker: This archetype is quick-witted and always armed with a repertoire of jokes and humorous remarks. Whether it’s during meetings, coffee breaks, or casual conversations, the Office Joker has a talent for injecting humour into various situations. Much like a jester in a medieval court, the Office Joker uses humour, wit, and playful pranks to alleviate tension, boost morale, and create a more enjoyable atmosphere for their colleagues.
- The Spreadsheet Sorcerer: The Spreadsheet Sorcerer is an archetype that humorously characterizes a coworker with an extraordinary command over spreadsheet software, turning data into magical works of art. He is a master of complex formulas. Whether it’s VLOOKUP, IF statements, or nested functions, they navigate the spreadsheet realm with ease, conjuring solutions to data-related challenges as if casting spells.
- The Inbox Juggler: This architype is CC’d in almost every mail sent out or within the office. They’re well-trained content supervisors, are experts at graphic design execution and dabble at coding and other technical pursuits too. In the chaotic circus of emails, there exists our Inbox Juggler, skilfully managing an avalanche of messages with a theatrical flair. When the inbox juggler finds extra time on his/her hands, they schedule mails to be sent out for the next quarter.
- The Office Gossip Guru: This is the one person from every office who singlehandedly originates all chaos, confusion, and misinformation. He/she is always the first person to jump in and provide their opinions without having a single clue about the context of the issue. Any news/information (excluding work-related information) that reaches them will be amplified and broadcasted to everyone at the office, including the janitor. Although this Gossip Guru causes fights and misinformation, they are the best person to kill time with.
- The Procrastination Picasso: “The Procrastination Picasso” will give all work on time. Just that he will tear apart the timeline provide crippling anxiety to everyone who is part of the workflow. This is an archetype that characterizes a coworker known for their exceptional ability to procrastinate and yet produce remarkable work under the pressure of deadlines.
- The Printer Poltergeist: You might be wondering what this sixth architype is doing amidst a list of 5 workplace architypes. That is because the printer poltergeist doesn’t qualify as your average coworker. The printer poltergeist is a supernatural entity who dedicates his existence to troublemaking and printer breakdowns. There is one that exists in every other office. Ever had papers clog the printer the reason for which even the hardware repair guy couldn’t explain? It is because the printer poltergeist from every office is always working hard to haunt printers around the world, causing breakdowns and malfunctions.
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