Meet the Eagle: Tick’s sharp bird type

Eagles don’t mess around. To them, life is about making things happen. Getting results is the most important thing for this bird personality type. Eagles don’t play well in the ambiguities.

They are wired for clarity, speed and measurable outcomes. While others are still weighing up options, the Eagle has already chosen a direction and moved. Indecision frustrates them. Meetings without purpose drain them. If there isn’t a clear objective, they struggle to see the value.

Eagles believe there needs to be more people just like them in the world. Direct? Yes. Arrogant? Sure, if it gets the job done. No-nonsense? 100%.

They value competence and strength. They respect people who can hold their own, make decisions, and take responsibility. Emotional over-analysis feels inefficient to them. They would rather hear the hard truth quickly than sit through a softened version wrapped in qualifiers.

Eagles are fuelled by authority and power. Are they bad people? Of course not, but they are a very unique personality type. 

Power, to an Eagle, is less about ego and more about influence. They want to shape outcomes. They want to steer the ship. Being in control gives them security. When they don’t feel in control, they can become impatient or dismissive.

Here’s how to spot an Eagle.

The traits of an Eagle

Style: Confident, fast, and businesslike
Face: Gives little away
Voice: Strong and forceful
Body Language: Very little
Clothes: Conservative, no frills. Black, charcoal, and grey colours preferred.
Life View: ‘Let’s get a result!’
Attitude: ‘Let’s get down to business.’ Quick and abrupt, they always seem to have more important people than you that they need to talk to.
Sayings: ‘What’s the bottom line?’
Car: Conservative, but prestige and powerful. They love the big four-wheel drives.

You’ll also notice their pace. Eagles walk quickly. They speak decisively. They interrupt if a conversation is circling. They are rarely unsure in public. Even if they are uncertain internally, they will project confidence externally.

How to engage with an Eagle

Do:

• Let them be, or appear to be, in control
• Keep conversations brief and to the point
• Appreciate that discipline rules their lives
• Give them the freedom to get results
• Accept the fact that their career comes first
• Understand that they are highly competitive.

When you present an idea to an Eagle, lead with the outcome. Start with the result, then give only the necessary details. Show them efficiency, ROI, or competitive advantage. If they see value, they will move quickly.

Don’t:

• Expect them to be good listeners
• Offer long-winded explanations or excuses
• Expect them to be patient
• Expect them to be timid in the face of argument
• Break a promise or commitment to them
• Indulge in long telephone conversations
• Be upset by their sarcasm or knife-edged comments.

If you miss a deadline or fail to deliver, they will remember. Eagles operate on performance and reliability. Trust, for them, is built on execution. Once lost, it is difficult to regain.

Understanding an Eagle

Eagles are confident and cool guys (and gals). Sharp, bossy, and sarcastic, Eagles don’t back down in a fight, or sugar coat anything. 

Conflict doesn’t intimidate them. In fact, they may see it as necessary to clear the air and move forward. What others perceive as harsh, they see as efficient. They don’t linger in feelings; they focus on solutions.

Eagles are very black and white. You either win or lose, in their eyes. You’re either good or bad. The ‘it’s my way or the highway’ thinking.

Nuance can feel like weakness to them. This strength – decisiveness – can also be their blind spot. In relationships, this rigidity can create tension. At work, it can lead to breakthrough results or fractured teams, depending on how self-aware the Eagle is.

At their best, Eagles are powerful leaders. They drive momentum. They cut through confusion. They make bold calls when others hesitate. At their worst, they can dominate, dismiss, and disengage.

The key for an Eagle is learning that influence is not just about force – it’s also about alignment. When they balance authority with empathy, they become formidable in the best sense of the word.

Eagles are very different than Owls or Doves.

Learn which Tick bird type you are and how to use the new insights in your work and home life.