Businesses are, at long last, returning to the office after the lasting effects of the Coronavirus pandemic – which means we have to rediscover what it means to collaborate with our colleagues in person. And a significant portion turn to the signs of the Zodiac to understand their working relationships.
A survey by business card specialists instantprint indicates nearly one-in-five UK office workers believe in astrology as a means to navigating professional interrelationships. But could it really make a difference when it comes to teamwork?
The Star Signs
Aries – 21st March to 19th April
Aries is symbolised by the Ram, and represents a tendency to leadership. Those born under Aries are more likely to occupy positions of authority – and more likely to display stubbornness in their role.
Taurus – 20th April to 20th May
Taurus is the Bull sign, and the epitome of patience. They are persistent and consistent, and natural problem solvers, though they can be inflexible in their work.
Gemini – 21st May to 20th June
Gemini, characterised as the Twins, is a sign of communication and creativity in kind. Geminis are great at brainstorming ideas, but can be easily distracted.
Cancer – 21st June to 22nd July
Cancer, the Crab sign, represents the nurturing type. Those born under this constellation are considerate and instinctive, but can be prone to overcautiousness.
Leo – 23rd July to 22nd August
The Lion sign Leo represents courage and pride in equal measure. Leos have no issue with leading and public speaking, but can be competitive to a fault.
Virgo – 23rd August to 22nd September
The Virgin sign, Virgo, is a symbol of meticulousness and organisation. Virgos are great planners, but can become obsessed with the finer details.
Libra – 23rd September to 22nd October
Libra is represented by the Scales, and those born under it tend to honesty. They are people pleasers and excellent negotiators, but can find it difficult to make decisions.
Scorpio – 23rd October to 21st November
Scorpio, the Scorpion sign, is a symbol of instinct. Scorpios have a curious mind and an investigative streak, but can easily get caught up in their work.
Sagittarius – 22nd November to 21st December
Sagittarius, or the Archer sign, represents inspiration. Those in this category are resourceful and knowledgeable, great advice givers with a tendency to bluntness.
Capricorn – 22nd December to 19th January
Capricorn is represented by the Goat, and those born under it often have grand ambitions. Capricorns are natural leaders and well-organised, but can overwork themselves.
Aquarius – 20th January to 18th February
Aquarius, or the Water Bearer sign, is a sign of collaboration and problem-solving. They are personable and inventive, but often work alone.
Pisces – 19th February to 20th March
Pisces, represented by the Fish, is a creative sign. Pisces are artists at heart, with an empathetic streak – though they can struggle with structure.
Desirable Personality Traits in the Workplace
The instantprint study also catalogued what UK office workers felt were the most and least desirable traits in a workplace environment. Of the 2,000 surveyed, 46% of respondents saw patience as an important characteristic, ahead of good communication (45%) and problem solving (43%).
As for the least desirable traits, the most commonly named was poor listening skills, as agreed by 34% of respondents. Dominating and domineering traits took second and third place, indicating that employees do not take kindly to unchecked authority. Inflexibility and stubbornness also ranked highly, with more than a quarter of respondents suggesting those as negative characteristics.
Star Signs and Workplace Dynamics
The correlation between desirable workplace traits and star signs can inform the group dynamic and optimise the workforce. For example, a PR team could benefit from the public speaking skills of Leos and the natural creativity of Geminis, while your development team could work well with Scorpios for their investigative proficiency, an Aquarius for their problem-solving and Libras for their diplomacy.
