Every organization relies on processes to deliver products, services, and results. Behind these processes are people—individuals whose roles, attitudes, and skills shape how workflows function and evolve. Understanding the different types of "process people" in your organization can unlock greater efficiency, foster collaboration, and drive continuous improvement.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the three types of process people you’ll encounter, their unique contributions, and how to leverage their strengths for organizational success.
1. The Creators
Who They Are
Creators are the innovators. They thrive on designing new workflows, brainstorming solutions, and envisioning better ways to achieve results. They’re the architects of processes, bringing fresh perspectives and challenging the status quo.
Key Characteristics
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Visionary Thinking: Creators excel at imagining what could be, not just what is.
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Problem-Solving Skills: They love tackling challenges with novel approaches.
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Risk-Tolerant: They’re not afraid to experiment and take calculated risks.
Strengths
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Creators are essential for organizations looking to innovate and adapt to changing market demands.
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They excel at building processes from scratch or reinventing outdated systems.
Challenges
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Their focus on new ideas can sometimes overshadow practical considerations.
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They may struggle with follow-through or the day-to-day details of implementation.
How to Leverage Their Strengths
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Pair Creators with implementers who can refine and execute their ideas.
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Give them opportunities to lead brainstorming sessions or pilot innovative projects.
2. The Executors
Who They Are
Executors are the doers. They thrive on making processes work efficiently and consistently. These individuals ensure that the vision laid out by the Creators becomes a reality. Executors are often the backbone of operational success.
Key Characteristics
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Detail-Oriented: Executors focus on precision and consistency in workflow execution.
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Results-Driven: They prioritize outcomes and efficiency.
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Resilient: They excel at troubleshooting and resolving issues on the ground.
Strengths
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Executors shine in environments that require routine, accuracy, and adherence to standards.
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They ensure smooth operations and keep processes running like a well-oiled machine.
Challenges
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They may resist change, preferring familiar workflows over experimentation.
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A lack of innovation can result in stagnation without input from Creators.
How to Leverage Their Strengths
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Use Executors to refine and optimize established processes.
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Assign them roles that involve monitoring, maintaining, and improving operational efficiency.
3. The Improvers
Who They Are
Improvers are the optimizers. They specialize in analyzing existing processes and identifying areas for enhancement. They bridge the gap between innovation and execution, ensuring processes evolve to meet new demands.
Key Characteristics
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Analytical Mindset: Improvers are data-driven and excel at root cause analysis.
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Change-Oriented: They embrace continuous improvement and incremental changes.
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Collaborative: They work across teams to ensure alignment and buy-in.
Strengths
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Improvers play a critical role in driving organizational growth and sustainability.
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They balance the big-picture thinking of Creators with the practicality of Executors.
Challenges
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Their focus on analysis and incremental change may delay urgent decisions or actions.
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They might overcomplicate simple processes with excessive optimization efforts.
How to Leverage Their Strengths
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Assign Improvers to roles that involve process evaluation, optimization, and reporting.
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Encourage them to act as mediators between Creators and Executors, ensuring smooth transitions.
How These Roles Work Together
No single type of process person can succeed alone—organizational success depends on collaboration. Here’s how these roles complement each other:
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Creators spark innovation, laying the foundation for new processes.
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Executors bring these ideas to life, ensuring reliability and consistency.
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Improvers refines, and optimizes, ensuring processes remain effective and scalable over time.
By fostering collaboration and mutual respect among these roles, organizations can create a culture of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the three types of process people—Creators, Executors, and Improvers—helps you better align your team’s strengths with organizational goals. Encourage each type to excel in their role while fostering collaboration across these archetypes. Together, they can build processes that drive sustainable success.
Which type resonates most with you or your team? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s keep the conversation going!