The conserving / holding-on orientation

The person who relies heavily on this orientation is interested in minimising loss and optimising gains. There is a keen interest in getting things done accurately and thoroughly. Analysis, planning, systems and routines are used to minimise risk and assure that everything is being handled properly. Care, caution, organisation and good systematic habits are therefore highly valued. One would feel that it’s a lot easier and less expensive, to make sure one knows what one wants to do, has surveyed alternatives to determine the best and most economical way to do it, has planned how to get it done with resources available and follows-up systematically to assure that things have been done according to plan. There is a belief that more things get out of hand because people lose focus and concentration – become distracted, instead of staying with one thing fully until it is finished. Policies and procedures are followed rigorously. Once systems, policies and procedures have been established this person favours following them until someone proves there is a better way – or one that makes more sense. Attention is paid to small details as well. Consequently there is emphasis on appropriate documentation and information retrieval systems.

In disagreements keen attention is paid to the accuracy of facts and information, the quality of reasoning involved and the systematic covering of all aspects of the issue. There is a calm and deliberate manner preferred to deal with such situations, a reluctance to engage in emotional behaviour and a preference for spending time on research before becoming involved in arguments. Once engaged in debate, only better facts or superior logic will prevail in overcoming this person’s views. There is no rush to achieve resolution and one can hang on doggedly despite pressure.

A similar deliberateness, emphasising research and analysis, characterises the approach to extreme stress situations. Once understanding of what is involved is clear, then efforts are made to organise a planned approach to remedy the situation. Information is gathered as efforts progress to assess what is involved, to keep track of events and to evaluate performance. Long term resolutions are favoured to immediate relief.
 

Typical behaviours:

• double checking what has happened,
• establishing a clear structure for work efforts,
• carefully analysing what is involved before acting,
• documenting what happens,
• calling attention to the need for information before making decisions,
• spending effort to assure clarity of instructions,
• thoroughly reviewing all the details involved,
• adhering to schedules and budgets,
• attention to costs when considering proposals,
• maintaining calmness when crises arrive,
• assuring objective and fair evaluations,
• making sure everything is treated in an organised and systematic fashion,
• checking the logic and facts that underlie a position,
• encouraging attention to details,
• assuring adherence to policies and procedures,
• providing consistent behaviour, and
• requesting appropriate planning and organisation for meetings.