Meet the Dove: Tick’s sweet bird type

Doves live their lives in service-mode. They’re driven by connection, harmony, and deep, meaningful relationships. Where other bird types may be motivated by results, recognition, or speed, Doves are motivated by people. Their sense of wellbeing is closely tied to the quality of the relationships around them.

When relationships are calm and supportive, Doves thrive. They feel settled, confident, and quietly joyful. When there’s conflict, tension, or disharmony, it’s felt intensely. This is why Doves are often described as the people-pleasers among us. It’s not about weakness or insecurity; it’s about an instinctive desire to maintain peace and emotional safety for everyone involved.

Doves move through life with an inclusive, harmonious worldview. They’re glass-half-full thinkers and intuitive optimists who genuinely believe that things will work out if people look after one another. Belonging and appreciation sit at the very top of their values list. To a Dove, being accepted, needed, and valued matters far more than status or achievement.

Does this sound like you? Or perhaps someone you work with, live with, or love?

The traits of a Dove

Style: Shy, warm, and friendly. Doves often come across as gentle and approachable rather than bold or attention-seeking.
Face: Expressive and animated, reflecting what the other person is saying while listening intently. You’ll often see them nodding, smiling, and mirroring emotions.
Voice: Soft, calming, and reassuring. Doves rarely raise their voice and tend to choose their words carefully.
Body language: Lots of hand gestures, but nothing dramatic. Their movements tend to be open and welcoming.
Clothes: Pastels to brighter colours, but nothing too outlandish. Comfort and familiarity matter more than making a statement.
Life view: “Caring and sharing with others is what it’s all about”
Attitude: Easy-going. Doves rarely seem rushed and will happily spend all the time in the world listening to your problems.
Common saying: “My relationships are most important”
Car: A good, reliable family vehicle – usually blue, maroon, or white. Doves famously love the Toyota Corolla.

How to engage with a Dove

If you want to bring out the best in a Dove, emotional safety comes first.

Do:

• Reassure their sense of belonging
• Provide a happy, stable, and predictable environment
• Eliminate or minimise any perceived risks of change
• Understand that they are emotional and sentimental
• Be kind, patient, and understanding
• Accept that people’s feelings are often more important to them than getting the job done
• Give them genuine appreciation for who they are, not just what they do.

Don’t:

• Change their normal patterns of doing things without warning
• Expect them to be comfortable making quick decisions or taking risks
• Expect them to deal well with unfriendly or aggressive people
• Expect them to thrive in high-pressure environments
• Praise or flatter them publicly – this can be deeply embarrassing
• Ever question their loyalty. Loyalty is sacred to a Dove.

Understanding a Dove

Doves are famously non-confrontational, but that doesn’t mean they don’t lead. They simply lead quietly, thoughtfully, and with great care. While they may appear submissive or indecisive at times, Doves are the builders (and backbones) of relationships, teams, and communities.

They create trust. They hold people together. They remember birthdays, check in when something feels ‘off,’ and notice who’s been left out. In workplaces, they’re often the emotional glue that keeps teams functioning smoothly.

That said, Doves do have a stubborn streak. Rather than pushing back openly, they may dig their heels (or boots) into the sand in a passive way. They’ll avoid direct conflict, delay decisions, or quietly resist change if it threatens harmony. In the end, a Dove is likely to say: “Let’s just keep the peace.”

And often, that instinct is exactly what a group needs.

Doves are very different to Owls.

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