Offices can be funny things. They’re where we spend 50% of our time, hanging out with people that we wouldn’t normally cross paths with in our everyday lives. Sometimes, this can be great, as you can meet people you click with. Other times, it’s glaringly obvious that the only thing in common is the company you work for. But regardless of whether or not you’ve got an office bestie, your career progression (and sanity) need to get along with your workmates. The first step to building strong inter-office relationships (and we’re not talking about a fling with the mailroom boy) is understanding the different personalities you’re working with. That’s why career expert Richard Stephenson created the DOPE personality test.
Nope, it’s not a test to check whether you’re cool or using performance-enhancing drugs. DOPE stands for the four bird types: Dove, Owl, Peacock, and Eagle. The test is based on the idea that in the workplace, everyone fits into one of these four categories. Finding out which bird you are can give you valuable insights into your work personality.
Like your sleep animal, it can help make you more aware of your strengths and weaknesses. It can also give you a better understanding of why the people around you act the way they do. It’ll help you realize that your ‘bossy’ manager is just spreading his eagle wings or that the girl in accounting who never says “hi” is just a laser-focused owl! So the next time you encounter a challenge or conflict in the office, you’ll know exactly how to approach it. To find out which ‘bird type’ you are, take our quiz below, or keep scrolling to learn about the different types.
The Four Bird Types
The Dove
Doves are peaceful, friendly, and generally very pleasant to work with. They’re warm and sympathetic and can usually look at most situations from multiple perspectives. They’re reliable and great listeners and team players. They tend to avoid conflict and confrontation and don’t like to kick up too much of a fuss in the workplace. Doves usually make great teachers and counselors.
The Owl
Owls are analytical, methodical, and super organized. They have great attention to detail and love structure. While they’re extremely logical, it can take them a while to decide as they need to have all the facts. They tend to be good with numbers and thrive in data-driven careers like engineering, financial services, digital analytics, or science.
The Peacock
If you’re known for being the life of the party or a ‘people person,’ you’re probably a peacock. They’re usually outgoing, cheerful, and extroverted. They’re enthusiastic and great with people but can also be impatient, impulsive, and inattentive to details. Peacocks thrive in roles that involve chatting with people, like sales, marketing, and PR.
The Eagle
Eagles are born leaders, thanks to their bold and decisive personalities. They’re driven, motivated, and never shy away from the opportunity to lead others. They’re often described as having type A personalities or being high achievers. However, they can sometimes be too domineering or outspoken in the workplace. Eagles make great CEOs or department managers.
