Good morning. The way we define the personality characteristics of a great coworker is too linear, and it's time to time a take a more spicy and flavorful approach, says neuroscientist Juliette Han.
Han is the CFO and COO at Cambrian Bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of therapeutics to treat diseases that come with age. The Harvard Medical School-trained neuroscientist is also a part-time finance professor at Columbia—and a close observer of workplace behavior.
“We're humans,” Han told me. “We're more than bots that are providing a function. So there’s a bit of a personality aspect to teamwork." And what position you serve in has a lot to do with your personality, she said.
Han wanted to share a fun and “refreshing way” to demonstrate how every employee can bring something positive to the table, and that even includes a person who may have an off-putting personality. So she compared it to the components of a satisfying meal, which led to a Thanksgiving personality assessment. When I saw her post about it on LinkedIn, I became intrigued (and a little hungry!)
Here’s a summary of Han's assessment of personas represented by a traditional Thanksgiving dish:
Turkey: The high-maintenance star. This person is the centerpiece of an organization or project. They need a lot of attention and care, but they can be the deciding or even risky factor of success. Although they can be finicky, and not well-liked by everyone, “it’s the person that everyone knows you need,” she told me. But a turkey can't stand alone either, she said.
Stuffing: The connector. They know how to work well with the superstar turkey. "They synthesize for the team and soak up any extra work in a pinch," according to Han.
Mashed potatoes: The reliable one. This person is dependable year-round. “You might not notice them, and sometimes you might not appreciate them, but that's the go-to person,“ Han said.
Gravy: The problem-solver. They complement everything and are flexible team players who can resolve conflicts. “Some may say it's just sauce, but without it, people notice something's missing,” she said.
Cranberry sauce: The creative thinker. They are colorful and different and bring an unexpected "zing" to projects, according to Han. They brighten up the team, even if they’re often underestimated.
To find out if you're like a green bean casserole or yams with marshmallows, and what dish Han thinks best represents her personality, you can check out her LinkedIn post here.
In 2020, Han joined Cambrian Bio, headquartered in New York City. The company manages a number of drug programs led by top scientists, for example, Amplifer Therapeutics. During a conversation we had in May, she explained how her career path led to finance from neuroscience.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Han shared why she is thankful. “As I turned 40, I did have a health scare,” she told me. “I’m thankful for my daily resilience.” And that includes good overall health, she said.
Sheryl Estrada
sheryl.estrada@fortune.com
The next CFO Daily will be in your inbox on Friday, Nov. 29. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
