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The Pragmatic & Curious Core Drivers

Learn how the Openness to Experience trait is expressed through the Pragmatic and Curious Core Drivers, including their strengths, risks, and impact on teams.

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Pragmatic

The Pragmatic Core Driver reflects the low pole of Openness to Experience.

Description

Pragmatic individuals are practical, grounded, and hands-on. They prefer conventional approaches and value what is tried and tested over abstract or experimental ideas.

Strengths

  • Focused on getting things done

  • Skilled at handling routine and repetitive tasks

  • Provide a realistic, fact-based perspective that keeps others grounded

Limitations

  • May struggle with big-picture or creative thinking

  • Can rush to short-term solutions instead of exploring alternatives

  • May resist change or undervalue innovation

Team and leadership style

Pragmatic individuals often play the role of a “Problem Solver.”

  • Help teams stay realistic and evidence-based

  • Question untested or overly ambitious strategies

  • Provide a counterbalance to overly optimistic or abstract thinking

Risk: Their skepticism may zap morale or slow brainstorming. Pragmatic individuals need to balance realism with openness, recognizing that experimentation can be necessary for growth and innovation.


Curious

The Curious Core Driver reflects the high pole of Openness to Experience.

Description

Curious individuals are creative, imaginative, and open to new ideas. They enjoy exploring possibilities, thinking unconventionally, and engaging with arts, science, and innovation.

Strengths

  • Inventive and idea-driven, with strong creative output

  • Thrive in changing environments

  • Help teams stretch their thinking and explore new possibilities

Limitations

  • May struggle to explain ideas clearly or concisely

  • Can get distracted by novelty and lose focus on relevance

  • Risk of being impractical or disconnected from immediate goals

Team and leadership style

Curious individuals often play the role of an “Idea Machine.”

  • Generate new solutions and perspectives for the team

  • Encourage teammates to explore, adapt, and innovate

  • Fill knowledge gaps with creative problem-solving

Risk: Their constant search for new ways of doing things may distract the team or derail execution. Curious individuals should ground their ideas in the team’s core goals to maximize impact.

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