This week’s target is Mark Soundy, a private equity partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges’ London office. Ah, a project man! Here we have someone who likes to keep his hands well and truly on the driving wheel [a controller]! This writer ensures he has identified all pertinent perimeters before setting out towards a desired goal. He will assess expectations, facilities, components, probable repercussions and timings well ahead of any participation. When he has a long project with an uncertain outcome, he will break it up into chunks in order to at least be able to assess progress and meet targets.

What I have said so far seems to paint a picture of someone whose motivation lies far ahead of his endeavours, but interestingly this guy gives of his best in the ‘here and now’. All his assessment and far-sightedness is actually a means of releasing him to be able to concentrate on what he is doing in the present time… which is his favourite place to be. This chap really can think on his feet. In short, once the framework of expectation is in place to his satisfaction, he is free to improvise at will!