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Malik Jackson
ENG 111-54
Mrs. Boyd
26 June 2014
Type A personalities vs. Type B personalities in the workplace
In the working world today there are two different types of work personalities that you
may come across, type A personalities and type B personalities. Although these two types of
personalities are very different they both are unique, because they describe the type of people
you will encounter on a day to day basis in your life. Type A personality can be described as
being very competitive and always having a sense of urgency. Type B personality can be
explained as more relaxed and calm, even more creative than the type a personality. Type A and
type B personalities in the workplace can be compared in three different aspects which include
entrepreneurship, work ethic, and what each personality looks like in leadership.
Type A personality in entrepreneurship is described as someone who is focused and
aggressive when it comes to getting things done, therefore people in this category generally start
their own businesses by themselves and very rapidly. To be considered a type A personality in
the entrepreneur world, you really only need to be always aggressive and competitive. Most
entrepreneurs that are considered to have type A personalities enjoy working under pressure and
like having a set time to accomplish a goal. Although being a type A entrepreneur can be
fulfilling because all you are worried about is status and achievement, Type B personalities also
have their benefits in entrepreneurship.
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Type B entrepreneurs are the opposite of what a type A personality would be; type B
entrepreneurs are more relaxed and open to new ideas. Starting a business while having a more
type B personality outlook on it can be slow but more effective. This personality type creates an
environment that is more comfortable towards everyone. The type B personality works in a more
steady and calming environment they dont seem to be in a rush. They also enjoy hearing new
ideas and exploring different options. Type B personalities seem ideal for entrepreneurship;
however the work ethic of this personality happens to also be one of its faults.
Type B personalities are calmer and stress reducing compared to their counterpart type A,
but type B personalities can fall short at times. . Leaders need to always be focused and achieve
their goals no matter what. When a person has a type b personality in the workplace they come
off as relaxed and mellow, this in turn can have negative effects if they do not achieve a goal.
Not achieving a goal in this personality type is like saying oh well, or it will be ok which is
not good if your company or business has to meet certain quotas. In other words, Type B
individuals do not mind losing a competition, they are too compromising.
Type B personalities can have good work ethics in the workplace, but most of the time it
is misplaced; Type A personalities always have a great work ethic in the work place and in
leadership. Leaders in this personality type are always to the point, and on time with their goals.
Where type b Leaders are more reluctant to being aggressive, type A leaders in this world are
often viewed as proactive and driven, they work with a sense of urgency.



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Works Cited
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Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 June 2014.

McLeod, Saul. "Type A Personality." Simply Psychology. N.p., 2011. Web. 26 June 2014.
Friedman, M. (1996). Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Plenum Press
(Kluwer Academic Press) Jenkins, C.D., Zyzanski, S.J., & Rosenman, R.H. (1971).
Progress toward validation of computer-scored test for the type A coronary-prone
behavior pattern. Psychosomatic Medicine, 33, 193-202 . 26 June 2014