Working Across Differences in Thinking Styles

1. Working AcrossDifferences in Thinking Styles EMBA 6 October 18, 2012 Instructor:Courtney White Why does he keep exaggerating? He sounds so shallow. Why does only see problems? He’s such a buzz-kill.

2. Tonight’s Goal: To grow more effective by…

3. Interpersonal Differences:An Evolution Dealing with it Embracing It. I can handle people’s illogical needs, but it’s a pain. My org needs different strengths. Managing differences isn’t a bad thing, it’s my job. What is wrong with these people?!

4. Mental MusclesLike other muscles, we all have preferences, but the pros learn to adapt.

5. What does a blank stare really mean? The part of the brain that takes IN information is active; The part that communicates is not

6. Introvert Extrovert Engages out loud Thinks silently Silence does not mean agreement Desires breadth Expressed views aren’t necessarily conclusions Desires depth Energized by interaction Energized through solitary activity

7. Re-think your vision of introverts! Introverts can be passionate… Introverts can be very articulate Introversion does mean “nerd” Introversion makes it less natural to interact with otherswhile processing new information at the same time

8. To what degree does empathy influence the decision process? Invests self Compassionate People oriented Observes objectively Logical Problem oriented Feeling Thinking

9. EMBA 6 Feeling Thinking U.S. Avg (Estimate)

10. MBA’s, like lawyers & engineers, lean toward “thinking” far more than the general population Feeling Thinking % of Total

11. Yet what do followers look for in a leader? Compassion Trust Stability Hope Source: Based interviews of more than 10,000 people published by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie in Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow.

12. iNtuitive Sensing

13. EMBA 6 iNtuitive Sensing U.S. Avg (Estimate)

14. Conceptual thinkers are a minority in the general population, not in EMBA iNtuitive Sensing Conceptual Imaginative Sees possibilities Concrete Pragmatic Sees realities

15. A key to bridging conceptual & concrete thinking… Convert amorphous thoughts into visual, tangible formats

16. What is your proclivity toward decisions & action? Perceiving Judging Go with the flow, stay flexible Impose control Bring closure Task oriented e.g., to-do lists Learn more Outwardly less receptive to new info Open to new info

17. EMBA 6 Perceiving Judging U.S. Avg (Estimate)

18. Case example:Why can’t these guys connect? Operations Manager Marketing Manager

19. In addition to personality differences, consider Cultural Differences While people within a culture do vary widely, understanding how populations compare can help keep us attuned to the degree and the nature of differences… 1 example: The degree to which people identify as individuals or as part of a group when they consider issues & decisions. Identity: the degree to which people identify as individuals or as part of a group when they consider issues and decisions. Russia UK France Africa China US Japan Germany India Mideast Collectivist Individualist Source: The line up of countries above are derived primarily from Figuring Foreigners Out by Craig Storti. When Cultures Collide by Richard Lewis is also an excellent source.

20. Adapting to Different StylesMy 3 Mantras…

21. 1. De-center.Analyze, don’t emotionalize. When we think of interpersonal issues analytically, we’re less emotional, less self-centered. Hmmm…this mammal has a heightened sense of territory…

22.  1. De-center. 2. The world’s a stage. You can’t change who you are, but you can choose how you act.

23. 1. De-center. 2. The world’s a stage. 3. Create the space for differences through dialogue • Acknowledging different thinking styles… • Builds understanding • Shows respect • Let’s you be you • Eases tension

24. EMBA Team BreakoutsRole play as your therapist, who speaks on your behalf to advise the team on 3 things:

25. - Carl Jung Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.