I have worked in private industry, the nonprofit world and at the local, state, federal and tribal levels. While each of these workplaces had their unique idiosyncrasies, all of them had one thing in common. At some point in time, they were invaded by one or more members of the tator family.

Dictator
This is the person who feels the need to tell everyone what to do. Oftentimes they inherit leadership roles as they walk around the workplace trying to catch people doing things wrong as opposed to doing things right. They lead from out front. They would rather compete than collaborate. They have role but no soul.
 
Imitator
This colleague chases the latest political fads in the office. They try to blend in rather than stick out. They never figure out who they really are in the workplace because they are so busy trying to be someone else. They are politically savvy people who have perfected the art of suck up. They have affiliations that go by different names but for the most part you can find them in the in-sider networks, the good ole boy clubs and other in-groups who abide by the members only rule of “Who’s Who.”

Hesitator
This teammate suffers from imposter syndrome. They downplay their readiness for promotions, rarely take risks and underestimate themselves at every turn. They self-sabotage themselves. They are great procrastinators and thrive in stuffy bureaucracies that play to their strengths of inaction.
 
Commentator
This is the cubicle mate who has an opinion on everything. Often out of control extroverts, they love to hear themselves speak. They are often purveyors of poisonous gossip in the workplace. They are relationship diminishers.
 
Spectator
Second cousin to the hesitators, they are great at observation and rarely put their full selves into their work. Their language of appreciation in the workplace is acts of service since we have to help them complete their work.
 
Agitator
This is the co-worker whose resume reads “does not play well with others.” Creation of strife and division dominate their job descriptions. They are trapped in a prison of conflict and quickly inherit a reputation of being needy, incompetent or a trouble maker. Workplace bullying is their main strength.
 
Facilitator
She is the ideal worker. She brings her full self to work every day. She has the backs of her colleagues. She does whatever it takes to get the job done with grace and commitment. She is a multiplier. She brings out the best in her colleagues. Most of all, she doesn’t dictate, imitate, hesitate, commentate, spectate, or agitate!
 
Let’s move from tator tots in the workplace to facilitators. A supersized world demands it.