Working style

We recommend that you reflect on and identify your working style. This forms the fruitful foundation for your career path and the development of your business here on campus.

Here are three approaches from thought leaders that can help you identify, reflect and habitualise a working style that suits you: 

The importance of reflection

In „Deep Work”, Cal Newport emphasises the importance of deep, undisturbed work. Reflection helps you to recognise when and how you are most productive. Ask yourself: When do you experience the state of highest concentration? Which activities are particularly easy for you and which ones drain your energy? By consciously observing the way you work, you can identify your ‘deep work’ phases and make the most of them.

Creativity and motivation

In „The Progress Principle”, Teresa Amabile shows that small advances and successes in everyday working life significantly increase your motivation and creativity. Think about which working environment and which tasks release your creative energy. Reflect on how you can integrate small but significant successes into your work process in order to remain continuously motivated.

Effectiveness and self management

In his classic book „The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen R. Covey focuses on self-management and effective habits. Identify your most important tasks and learn to prioritise them. Reflect on your long-term goals and develop habits that will help you achieve them. Covey's principles help you to develop a structured and goal-orientated working style.

Work archetypes and preferences

Your working style can correspond to different archetypes. Here are some examples:

1. The Creative: Prefers flexible and inspiring working environments in which new ideas can sprout.

2. The analyst: Works in a structured way and favours clear, data-supported decision-making processes.

3. The implementer: Focusses on practical results and efficient work processes.

4. The team player: Thrives in collaborative environments and values dialogue with others.

Optimise your working style for your entrepreneurial design

To maximise productivity, creativity and flow, you should consciously shape the work on your entrepreneurial design:

1. Work environment: Create an environment that promotes your productivity and creativity. This can be a quiet workspace for deep work or an inspiring place for creative ideas.

2. #Time management: Use methods such as Cal Newport's Deep Work and David Allen's Getting Things Done to organise your tasks efficiently.

3. #Motivation and small successes: Set yourself small, achievable goals to make continuous progress. This increases your motivation and keeps you on track.

4. Collaboration and exchange: The Peer-Learning Campus is designed for you to exchange ideas with others and to learn and work together.

Other relevant work

In addition to the aforementioned works by Cal Newport, Teresa Amabile and Stephen R. Covey, the insights of Nir Eyal, Tina Selig and David Allen are also relevant for identifying and optimising your work style.

Use this article (and its sources) to reflect on your work style (see profile section) and optimise it to reach your full potential.

Resources:

• Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work. Harvard Business Review Press.

• Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press.

• Newport, C. (2016). Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Grand Central Publishing.

• Eyal, Nir (2019). Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. BenBella Books.

• Allen, David (2001). Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Viking.