And what about you, what kind of person are you?

That’s the question a potential client asked me during a meeting to explore in greater detail whether the optics  and  photonics services I offer would meet his needs, and especially whether I’m someone whose working style aligns with his company’s. After a dense technical discussion, he asked me:

“And what about you, what kind of person are you? Are you the kind of person who uses the measuring cap to put detergent in the washing machine, or do you pour it directly into the dispenser?”

I was a bit taken aback. Since English isn’t my mother tongue, I kindly asked him to repeat the question just in case I hadn’t understood it correctly. But no, I had heard it right.

After I hung up, I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d asked such a question. It soon dawned on me that someone can tell a lot about a person from the answer:

On the one hand, if you say you use the measuring cap, you’re implying that you’re a methodical person who places following instructions above all else. You’re looking to optimize resources, even if that means spending a bit more time on the task.

On the other hand, if you say you pour it directly into the dispenser, you’re someone who prioritizes effectiveness over efficiency, in order to deliver value as quickly as possible.

So, what about you? What would you have answered?

One of the things I enjoy more as an entrepreneur consists of meeting and discussing with photontastic folks!