What Makes OpenSSL Corporation Tick aka How We Work with Personality Profiles

Understanding and effectively managing diverse personalities within an organization is crucial for fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. At the OpenSSL Corporation, we use Tick profiles—personality profiling tools designed to help individuals and teams gain insights into behavioral preferences enhancing collaboration and reducing workplace conflicts.

Dove, Owl, Eagle, Peacock—What Makes Them Tick?

Tick’s profiling system categorizes personalities into four distinct ‘bird types,’ each representing a unique set of characteristics:

1. The Peacock: Expressive and enthusiastic, Peacocks thrive on social interactions and enjoy attention. They are imaginative and spontaneous but may struggle with routine tasks.
2. The Dove: Gentle and accommodating, Doves value harmony and support. They prefer stable environments and may resist change or high-pressure situations.
3. The Eagle: Confident and decisive, Eagles are natural leaders focused on results and efficiency. They are competitive and driven but may come across as impatient or insensitive.
4. The Owl: Analytical and detail-oriented, Owls are logical thinkers who value accuracy and structure. They are thorough but may be perceived as overly cautious or critical.

These profiles serve as a framework for individuals to understand both their own behaviors and those of their colleagues, facilitating improved communication and teamwork.

Mixed Personalities

Most individuals exhibit two dominant traits, which influence their behavior and strengths. For example, our marketing specialist Kajal Sapkota has a dominant Peacock-Eagle personality: high energy and sociability from the Peacock side, plus the Eagle’s decisiveness and leadership. Such combinations make individuals versatile collaborators—being both inspiring and goal-oriented.

Extreme Personalities

It is rare to have only one dominant bird type, but our president Tim Hudson is an exception, classified as an Extreme Eagle: highly dominant, assertive, and driven by results. Focused on getting the job done with little patience for inaction, Tim’s direct and no-nonsense approach can be intimidating to those who prefer a more collaborative or empathetic approach.

The Company Can Not Succeed if the People Working There Are Too Similar to Each Other

Innovation blooms where diverse perspectives are understood and valued. Tick’s profiling tools allow organizations to spot these differences and create an open-minded culture that fosters each ‘bird-type’. Doing so leads to a more cohesive and understanding workplace, where individual differences are acknowledged and valued, ultimately driving organizational success.

What Makes Our Team Tick?

At the OpenSSL Corporation, our team is a mix of bold leaders, analytical thinkers, empathetic collaborators, and creative problem-solvers—all bringing different strengths to the table. For example:

• Tim Hudson (Extreme Eagle) drives decision-making with authority, ensuring progress and efficiency.
• Hana Andersen (Owl) contributes with meticulous analysis, making sure we do not overlook crucial details.
• Katka Míčová and Saša Nedvědický (Doves) create a supportive atmosphere that fosters trust and smooth collaboration.
• Anton Arapov (Peacock) injects enthusiasm and energy, keeping morale high and inspiring fresh ideas.

Since we respect each other’s working styles, we adapt our communication, leverage each other’s strengths, and create better outcomes. A team that balances different perspectives—not just personality types, but also approaches to problem-solving—is a team that thrives under pressure, innovates effectively, and ultimately delivers stronger results.

Tim Hudson on Tick Profiles

Our president Tim Hudson has been using Tick profiles for nearly two decades, integrating them into hiring, training, and team management to create stronger, more collaborative teams. For him, the real value of Tick is not just in the numbers—it is in how it helps people understand each other and work together more effectively. “When people communicate better and feel understood, they’re happier. And when they’re happier, they do better work. The increase in performance and results is really just a natural side effect,” Tim explains.

At OpenSSL Corporation, Tick profiles are now a standard part of recruitment and team development. “Every new hire goes through a Tick assessment, not because we want to put people into boxes, but because it helps us understand how to support each other,” Tim says. “We’ve seen firsthand that when people can adapt their communication styles to their colleagues, the workplace becomes more enjoyable and productive.” This approach has also proven effective in high-pressure environments like industry conferences. “At the RSA Conference, we trained non-technical staff using Tick, and the difference was huge. They were more confident, had more meaningful conversations, and as a result, we saw increased booth traffic and better business opportunities.”

For Tim, the success of Tick is not just about efficiency or numbers—it is about people. “The biggest takeaway is that when teams are built on mutual understanding and respect, everything else falls into place. The business benefits are real, but they come from the fact that people enjoy working together.”