Understanding DNA Behavior Unique Style: Strategist

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What is a Strategist?

Strategists naturally blend their strong drive to reach key goals with sound knowledge, high-quality processes, and quality control standards. They are "evolutionary, visionary, structured" individuals equipped to be strategic players where achieving results is a priority.

Unlike Community Builders (who are "easy going, promoter, understanding") or Relationship Builders (who prioritize deep emotional connections), Strategists occupy a unique position on the DNA Behavior matrix: results-oriented rather than relationship-oriented, reserved rather than outgoing, yet pioneering and goal-driven.

The Strategist Paradox

Strategists present a fascinating duality that makes them simultaneously valuable and challenging:

They are visionary yet concrete (76% on the concrete scale in the example of Chris Coddington)
They are pioneering (goal-driven, ambitious) yet systematic (picky on details, awkward about processes)
They are reserved (serious, reflective, quiet) yet take-charge (authoritative, self-reliant, frank)

Key Behavioral Markers (T-Score Analysis)

Strategist profiles typically present distinct patterns across the eight DNA Behavioral Factors:

High Intensity Markers (Typically 60+ T-scores)

Factor	Strategist Expression
Pioneering	High - Goal-driven, ambitious, trailblazing, strategic foresight
Take Charge	High - Authoritative, self-reliant, frank, prefers control
Planned/Structured	High - Accurate, scheduled, detailed, exact, factual
Risk Taker	High - Venturesome, speculative, opportunistic (when combined with Pioneering)

Moderate to Low Markers

Factor	Strategist Expression
Reserved	High - Serious, reflective, quiet, not spontaneously outgoing
Skeptical	Mid to high - Suspicious, questioning, controlling, exacting
Relationships (Patient)	Low - Task-focused, confronting, rational; "almost nil" relationship orientation
Concrete	Very high (76%+) - Experience-based, fixed on proven strategies

Note: T-scores range from 20-80. Scores above 60 indicate strong behavioral tendencies that become more pronounced under pressure . Strategists with high Pioneering + high Planned + high Take Charge create a "perfect storm" of goal-driven systematic control.

Natural Gifts and Strengths

1. Strategic Vision with Execution Capability

Strategists possess "an ability to achieve ambitious goals and concentrate on matter-of-fact, practical issues". They combine the big-picture thinking of an Influencer with the execution discipline of a Reflective Thinker.

2. Quality Control Excellence

"They have a good eye for detail and push to get tasks completed with a high degree of quality control". This makes them invaluable for:

Compliance and quality control roles
Strategic planning initiatives
Operations management
Financial analysis and due diligence

3. Rational Decision-Making Under Pressure

"They have a rational, impartial approach that enhances their ability to make difficult decisions". Strategists can make quick, confident decisions if risks are minimized through superior planning and they are aware of the options.

4. Research and Due Diligence Mastery

Strategists "want all the details" and conduct "meticulous research". They excel at:

Analyzing complex information
Rationalizing relevant data for decisions
Identifying unreasonable risks in opportunities
Saying "no" to under-researched proposals

5. Loyalty Once Trust is Established

"Once you've got them in the slot... and engaged with what you do and they trust you, they're probably actually going to be quite loyal". This loyalty is hard-won but deeply valuable.

Potential Struggles and Blind Spots

1. The "Koala Bear" Problem: Congenial but Clawed

Strategists can "appear congenial, but because they are also reserved... they could claw you if you get it wrong". Like a koala bear with hidden claws, they may seem approachable until provoked by:

Lack of preparation
Wasting their time on irrelevant issues
Gut-instinct recommendations without research

2. Relationship Deficit

With relationship orientation "almost nil", Strategists struggle with:

Building emotional connections
Understanding others' feelings
Patience for social niceties
"Insensitive to the needs of others, too focused on rationally solving problems"

3. Skepticism as Barrier

Strategists are "suspicious, questioning, controlling, exacting". They:

Have a "naturally high level of suspicion of what others are saying"
Require extensive proof before committing
May "bite your head off when something doesn't work"
Are "probably the most difficult client to have" due to low trust

4. Concrete Rigidity

High concrete scores (76%+) mean they:

Only want to work with "things that they know about"
Resist new methodologies (like DNA Behavior profiling) if they haven't deployed them before
Struggle with abstract or innovative concepts unless proven
May not change "if they think what they're doing and their business is working"

5. Time Waste Intolerance

Strategists are alienated by "having their time wasted on issues they feel are not relevant to them". This creates friction with more relational styles who prefer exploratory conversations.

Workplace Application: Ideal Roles and Tasks

Optimal Environments

Strategists thrive in positions requiring:

Strategic planning - Designing well-thought-out visionary plans
Compliance and quality control - Their exacting nature ensures standards
Operations management - Creating systems and processes for others to follow
Finance director/manager roles - Combining risk awareness with goal focus
Project management - Structured approach to complex initiatives

Leadership Style

"Strategists lead by designing well thought out visionary plans and then creating the systems and processes for others to follow them". They:

Fear losing control of situations and planning
Fear not meeting goals
Fear "surprises" and will research diligently before committing
Enjoy achieving goals "quickly, correctly, and efficiently"

Caution Areas

Strategists may struggle in:

Client-facing advisory roles without structured preparation time
Sales roles requiring spontaneous relationship building - "New account sales" is typically medium/low for Strategists
Collaborative consensus-building - They prefer to operate alone with independent thinking
Crisis management requiring immediate action - They need "time to analyze"

Communication Strategies for Strategists

When Communicating WITH a Strategist:

1. Appeal to Pioneering and Goals

"Look at the strongest profile factor... and appeal to the strength of that". For Strategists, this is typically Pioneering (goal-driven) or Take Charge (control).

2. Be Pinpointed and Concrete

"You've got to be very pinpointed with him with the facts". Strategists require:

Specific facts, figures, data
Written input and analytical approaches
"Bottom line" results, not relationship-building preamble
Logical steps and proven methods

3. Provide Research and Options

Strategists "will not make a decision until they have thoroughly researched all aspects". You must:

Conduct "meticulous research and summarize with the best options offered to them"
Provide assurances and explain the thinking behind change
Never force immediate decisions without "all the options and back-up analysis"

4. Address the Five Communication Keys

"If you key in on these 5 keys, you will at least be able to talk to the individual... and draw engagement":

Pioneering: Goal-driven, ambitious, visionary
Take Charge: Authoritative, self-reliant, needs control
Planned: Detailed, exact, factual, thorough
Reserved: Serious, reflective, needs time to process
Skeptical: Suspicious, questioning, needs proof

5. Frame by Engagement ROI

For financial advisors and consultants, frame the value proposition around referrals:

"If a person is more willing to refer a client, that's the signal of engagement"
"If we help them double that number, we double their business"
Strategists respond to concrete proof points: "trials, talking to [references] that this really works"

When Communicating AS a Strategist:

Self-Management Techniques:

Develop patience for process: Recognize that "not being able to make decisions and having the resources available to implement their visions" is a core fear
Build relationship bridges: Consciously invest time in "understanding the needs of others" to counterbalance task-focus
Moderate skepticism: Ask "How well do you identify the more gifted and talented people around you?"
Create communication templates: "Design a template for your staff to use when communicating with you" to reduce frustration with "tedium and irrelevancies"

The Strategist in the DNA Behavior Matrix

Comparison with Opposite Styles

Style	Key Difference from Strategist
Community Builder	Outgoing vs. reserved, easy-going vs. systematic, relationship-focused vs. results-focused
Relationship Builder	Deep emotional connection vs. rational task-focus, patient vs. confronting
Engager	Networker vs. reserved, "connects with 80 of 100 people in an hour" vs. serious and reflective
Initiator	Both results-driven, but Initiator is fast-paced and bold; Strategist is planned and systematic

Why Strategists are "Hardest to Engage"

Strategists combine three challenging traits:

Low relationship orientation - Don't prioritize emotional connection
High skepticism - Question everything and everyone
High concreteness - Distrust abstract concepts without proof

As noted in the transcript: "Chris is going to be about as hard as any person we're ever going to get".

Building Engagement with Strategists: The Process

Step 1: Pre-Meeting Preparation

Research their business and goals thoroughly
Prepare specific facts, figures, and data points
Anticipate skeptical questions and prepare evidence-based responses

Step 2: Initial Connection

Be direct and professional (not overly friendly)
Immediately establish credibility through knowledge
Show you understand their goals and can help achieve them efficiently

Step 3: Building Trust

Deliver on promises with precision
Provide regular updates with specific metrics
Demonstrate loyalty through consistent, high-quality work
"Once you've got them in the slot... they trust you, they're probably actually going to be quite loyal"

Step 4: Long-Term Management

Maintain systematic communication
Respect their need for control and planning
Never surprise them with unplanned changes
Continue providing research-backed recommendations

Summary: The Strategist Value Proposition

Strategists represent the disciplined architects of organizational success. Their unique combination of visionary planning, systematic execution, and quality control makes them invaluable for:

Building sustainable, scalable systems
Ensuring compliance and risk management
Achieving ambitious goals through methodical processes
Providing loyal, long-term partnership once trust is established

However, their intensity requires structured approaches and evidence-based communication. With proper engagement strategies that respect their need for control, detail, and proof, Strategists become powerful allies who drive exceptional results through disciplined execution.