Productivity

Harmonizers are the connectors of the productivity world. You notice the mood in the room before the meeting starts. You sense when the team is stretched thin, even if no one says it aloud. And you know that productivity isn’t just about tasks completed — it’s about the energy and relationships that sustain the work. The key is not to abandon your Harmonizer instincts, but to learn how to flex with Architects, Builders, and Optimizers in ways that amplify your natural strengt

October is the most strategic month of the year. Why? Because the work you do now sets the tone for how you’ll finish this year and how much room you’ll have to thrive in the next one. And here’s the truth: you don’t always create capacity by working harder or hiring more people. You create it by getting the “necessary but draining” work off your plate and onto systems that run themselves.

Optimizers are the refiners of the productivity world. You’re the one who spots bottlenecks, cleans up messy workflows, and finds smarter ways to get things done. To get the best from the people around you, it pays to flex. Not by dropping your drive to improve, but by learning how to work in harmony with Builders, Architects, and Harmonizers.

Builders are the momentum-makers of the productivity world. You thrive on action, progress, and the energy that comes from moving a project forward. While others are still sketching the roadmap, you’ve already taken the first step — and sometimes, that’s exactly what a team needs. To get the best from those around you, it pays to flex. Not by stifling your instincts, but by learning how to channel them so others can bring their complementary strengths to the table.

Architects are the planners and system-builders of the productivity world. You see the big picture, create frameworks, and keep projects grounded in strategy. But no matter how sharp your vision, you rarely work alone. Builders, Optimizers, and Harmonizers all bring different strengths — and sometimes, different frustrations — to the table.

This short quiz will help you identify your dominant productivity style—plus give you a few tips to start working in a way that fits you better. Let's dive in!

If the transition back to work has felt harder than it should, you don’t have to white knuckle it - instead, try a new approach that actually fits. Download the free guide and take the quiz to find your Productivity Style now!

Annual Planning doesn’t have to be dreary. In fact, for small teams and solo founders, it can be energizing—if you make it your own. You just need some structure, a sense of purpose, and a little creativity. Here are ten unconventional ways small businesses are turning annual planning into something they actually look forward to.

Harmonizers care about how things get done. They tune into their energy, their environment, and the dynamics of the people around them. While others charge ahead with plans or systems, Harmonizers work best when things feel aligned—when their internal state, external environment, and relationships support the task at hand. When the conditions are right, they can be remarkably productive, creative, and insightful.

Optimizers don’t just want things done—they want them done better. They seek efficiency, clarity, and sustainability. Optimizers are wired to improve. They notice friction, inefficiencies, or repeated pain points—and they have to fix them. Whether they’re refining personal habits or restructuring team operations, they’re constantly looking for ways to get more value from the same amount of effort.

The Builder—the action-taker, the momentum generator, the person who gets things moving even when the plan is still forming. Builders are the productivity style most likely to say “let’s just start” and figure it out as they go. They bring energy, decisiveness, and adaptability to the table—and can be powerful catalysts for progress.

If you’re someone who thinks before you act, loves a well-built plan, and finds satisfaction in structure, there’s a good chance your productivity style leans toward The Architect.

Understanding your unique approach to work is key to unlocking your best output. In this article—the first in a 5-part series—I’ll introduce four distinct productivity styles.