Why should people care about Types
What’s the relevance on the Web?
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What is there to learn about Types that can change the Web?
To begin with, we take for granted the way we react to things, look at things, decide things and organize things. There is a familiar attitude that says, “What you see is what you get.” It means that for the most part, people are ready to accept the things that they can touch, smell, taste, hear and see. The senses are what guide us to encounter the real world and those that swear by them are convinced that the cover on a book dictates what can be found on the inside. But wait, others say, “You should never judge a book by its cover.” Sounds contradictory to what was just said. They say that first impressions may not necessarily be right. That people should look beneath the surface to find out what’s real and what isn’t. Then again, there are those who are quick to point out that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Does this all sound confusing and contradictory?
Let’s look at another perspective on this. Some people like to talk in details and give examples that demonstrate their points. Often times they repeat themselves and crisscross back and forth covering the same ground each time the speak. But have you ever noticed that people who like to give out information and nail down their points are the last ones to endure the same thing from others. And, what about showing emotion and sensitivity? Do people who crave attention make the best examples of giving attention? Obviously, the answer is “No!”
So, what happens to people that makes them all act differently and require special needs all of their own? Is it the environment that teaches them how to behave? Are people programmed by what they see, think and feel? Is it education or the lack of it? What about culture and gender and age? These are just some of the categories by which we mark differences and observe behaviours. Is that all there is to figuring people out, or is there something more that perhaps we may not see with our eyes, or experience through our senses.
Steven Covey, author of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People talked about paradigms and ushered in the concept of making paradigm shifts. Quantum leaps in understanding brought on by new discoveries that unmask the mysteries of life. When seen from a new perspective, things change and the landscape seems different. Instead of the glass being half empty, the glass is now half full. The quest for meaning in life is fulfilled by such transforming power within the human spirit. That’s what the world wide web offers to people who won’t be trapped inside of tiny boxes and who have an explorer’s heart for adventure. Unlike other social forms of contact, the web acts like a mirror on the soul and reflects whatever it is given. People come to the web as individuals, privately, in solitary moods and what happens next is a panacea of interactive, social networks that expand people’s imaginations: teaching them new ideas, and allowing them to transcend even themselves to become part of their fantasies. It is another world – within a world that exists on the outside. It is in fact the archetype of what the human genome creates. The web is totally an introverted environment and for the most part, it was created by left brained people who value decision making and making information travel to its destination quickly and easily. It’s a world created on the Right and Wrong axis where things either work correctly or they don’t and that means that opinions and trends are what matter most. If 100K people hit your site in a month – you’re a star. Those who like to measure things and optimize things and even text things are right in there.
The Rational Types are much better at deciding things from either a logical or emotional perspective. They often give up when there is too much information or the visual side of things is overwhelming. And they absolutely hate it when they feel controlled or manipulated by websites that won’t allow them the freedom to decide what’s best for them. They are the online shoppers; the one’s who stalk EBay for opportunities. They are often mislead by Google searches and frustrated by broken promises. Yet when it comes to finding out the technical aspects of a problem, there they are totally in their element because the Types of people who put the information there in the first place often think and act like them.
But for those of a new generation, and by that I do not infer age, gender, culture or anything of the sort the Right hemisphere of the brain signals only the infinite possibilities of gathering information, looking at videos, listening to news clips. For these people, the web is as foreign as if they were indentured servants longing for their freedom. Please don’t misunderstand me. The paradigms are changing and there is more and more appearing every day to titillate those Right brained thrill seekers. And so here is my point, finally, at last.
Left brained dominant Types have no chance of either understanding or accommodating the needs of Right brained people. Understanding the difference in Type on the web is more than just a past time. Consider this fact. Since the onset of the personal computer more kids who would otherwise have dropped out of an academic environment have stayed in school – if only to receive the technical training they need to find jobs. I’m not talking at all about the overall dropout rate. I’m talking about the sector of young people; let’s say they are all visual learners, who have found a way to earn an education. Never mind the fact that statistics will show that eLearning results in brighter minds and more intelligent thinking; that computerized learning has given a great advantage to raising people’s standard of living throughout the world. All of these differences and similarities are played out time and time again on the web. And the people today who are leading the way have a lot to learn about those who are being left behind.
“The terrain will not at all be that friendly.”
Let me conclude by saying this, “Without considering the impact of personality types on the web is like dropping grenades from a hot air balloon that is constantly being blown over enemy lines. Sooner or later the craft must land. And when it does; the terrain will not at all be that friendly.” Translation: those who want to be on the cutting edge of new web technology must embrace the differences now and capitalize on the markets being severely overlooked. The one’s being neglected because the Type characteristics just don’t match up. Stop thinking in metric terms that measure the same experience repeated 50 times over while claiming that there is a new trend covering a similar numbered span. If there is not Type diversity in that trend then it is doomed to failure as an indicator of success because there is most likely to be an even greater number of people who never saw the website, or dropped the shopping cart, or never made it past the on off switch. That is how to see the web world from its rightful perspective of delivering process and not just structure, learning and not just information, synthesis rather than analysis, experiences and not just interaction.
For now, the indentured people are learning how to interpret the web the way others have created it and intended it to be. In the future, those same people will be the ones who will come upon the abandoned hot air balloons and propel them to new heights and with a much more humane purpose. One that embraces the creative and passionate desires of those who are virtually denied access to an open web simply because they are marching to the beat of a different drummer. Wouldn’t you like to know more about how to reach the estimated 20-40% of people that are not taking in what you are trying to tell them? Wouldn’t you like to add an “FM band channel” so that not just the “AM band” listeners could hear your message? Wouldn’t you like to ensure that people stick to your website because it comforts their needs and doesn’t arouse their frustrations? That’s why you, of all people, should care more about Types and begin to ask the question in a new way, “What’s the relevance on the Web?
What is there to learn about Types that can change the Web?
To begin with, we take for granted the way we react to things, look at things, decide things and organize things. There is a familiar attitude that says, “What you see is what you get.” It means that for the most part, people are ready to accept the things that they can touch, smell, taste, hear and see. The senses are what guide us to encounter the real world and those that swear by them are convinced that the cover on a book dictates what can be found on the inside. But wait, others say, “You should never judge a book by its cover.” Sounds contradictory to what was just said. They say that first impressions may not necessarily be right. That people should look beneath the surface to find out what’s real and what isn’t. Then again, there are those who are quick to point out that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Does this all sound confusing and contradictory?
Let’s look at another perspective on this. Some people like to talk in details and give examples that demonstrate their points. Often times they repeat themselves and crisscross back and forth covering the same ground each time the speak. But have you ever noticed that people who like to give out information and nail down their points are the last ones to endure the same thing from others. And, what about showing emotion and sensitivity? Do people who crave attention make the best examples of giving attention? Obviously, the answer is “No!”
So, what happens to people that makes them all act differently and require special needs all of their own? Is it the environment that teaches them how to behave? Are people programmed by what they see, think and feel? Is it education or the lack of it? What about culture and gender and age? These are just some of the categories by which we mark differences and observe behaviours. Is that all there is to figuring people out, or is there something more that perhaps we may not see with our eyes, or experience through our senses.
Steven Covey, author of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People talked about paradigms and ushered in the concept of making paradigm shifts. Quantum leaps in understanding brought on by new discoveries that unmask the mysteries of life. When seen from a new perspective, things change and the landscape seems different. Instead of the glass being half empty, the glass is now half full. The quest for meaning in life is fulfilled by such transforming power within the human spirit. That’s what the world wide web offers to people who won’t be trapped inside of tiny boxes and who have an explorer’s heart for adventure. Unlike other social forms of contact, the web acts like a mirror on the soul and reflects whatever it is given. People come to the web as individuals, privately, in solitary moods and what happens next is a panacea of interactive, social networks that expand people’s imaginations: teaching them new ideas, and allowing them to transcend even themselves to become part of their fantasies. It is another world – within a world that exists on the outside. It is in fact the archetype of what the human genome creates. The web is totally an introverted environment and for the most part, it was created by left brained people who value decision making and making information travel to its destination quickly and easily. It’s a world created on the Right and Wrong axis where things either work correctly or they don’t and that means that opinions and trends are what matter most. If 100K people hit your site in a month – you’re a star. Those who like to measure things and optimize things and even text things are right in there.
The Rational Types are much better at deciding things from either a logical or emotional perspective. They often give up when there is too much information or the visual side of things is overwhelming. And they absolutely hate it when they feel controlled or manipulated by websites that won’t allow them the freedom to decide what’s best for them. They are the online shoppers; the one’s who stalk EBay for opportunities. They are often mislead by Google searches and frustrated by broken promises. Yet when it comes to finding out the technical aspects of a problem, there they are totally in their element because the Types of people who put the information there in the first place often think and act like them.
But for those of a new generation, and by that I do not infer age, gender, culture or anything of the sort the Right hemisphere of the brain signals only the infinite possibilities of gathering information, looking at videos, listening to news clips. For these people, the web is as foreign as if they were indentured servants longing for their freedom. Please don’t misunderstand me. The paradigms are changing and there is more and more appearing every day to titillate those Right brained thrill seekers. And so here is my point, finally, at last.
Left brained dominant Types have no chance of either understanding or accommodating the needs of Right brained people. Understanding the difference in Type on the web is more than just a past time. Consider this fact. Since the onset of the personal computer more kids who would otherwise have dropped out of an academic environment have stayed in school – if only to receive the technical training they need to find jobs. I’m not talking at all about the overall dropout rate. I’m talking about the sector of young people; let’s say they are all visual learners, who have found a way to earn an education. Never mind the fact that statistics will show that eLearning results in brighter minds and more intelligent thinking; that computerized learning has given a great advantage to raising people’s standard of living throughout the world. All of these differences and similarities are played out time and time again on the web. And the people today who are leading the way have a lot to learn about those who are being left behind.
“The terrain will not at all be that friendly.”
Let me conclude by saying this, “Without considering the impact of personality types on the web is like dropping grenades from a hot air balloon that is constantly being blown over enemy lines. Sooner or later the craft must land. And when it does; the terrain will not at all be that friendly.” Translation: those who want to be on the cutting edge of new web technology must embrace the differences now and capitalize on the markets being severely overlooked. The one’s being neglected because the Type characteristics just don’t match up. Stop thinking in metric terms that measure the same experience repeated 50 times over while claiming that there is a new trend covering a similar numbered span. If there is not Type diversity in that trend then it is doomed to failure as an indicator of success because there is most likely to be an even greater number of people who never saw the website, or dropped the shopping cart, or never made it past the on off switch. That is how to see the web world from its rightful perspective of delivering process and not just structure, learning and not just information, synthesis rather than analysis, experiences and not just interaction.
For now, the indentured people are learning how to interpret the web the way others have created it and intended it to be. In the future, those same people will be the ones who will come upon the abandoned hot air balloons and propel them to new heights and with a much more humane purpose. One that embraces the creative and passionate desires of those who are virtually denied access to an open web simply because they are marching to the beat of a different drummer. Wouldn’t you like to know more about how to reach the estimated 20-40% of people that are not taking in what you are trying to tell them? Wouldn’t you like to add an “FM band channel” so that not just the “AM band” listeners could hear your message? Wouldn’t you like to ensure that people stick to your website because it comforts their needs and doesn’t arouse their frustrations? That’s why you, of all people, should care more about Types and begin to ask the question in a new way, “What’s the relevance on the Web?
Hungry Cats
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One of our clients asked us to solve this question, "We are a company of sleeping dogs. How do we change and become a pride of hungry cats?"
When we analyzed their situation we discovered that the company did have some "hungry cats" but they were isolated from the team. The compatibility balance favoured the “sleeping dogs” who were satisfied with mediocre results.
When we interviewed the "hungry cats" we learned that their performance was less than perfect given the energy they spent in meetings and other non productive sessions as part of the reporting structure. In their minds all of this was an unnecessary burden that inhibited their performance.
The company had tried numerous sales training workshops with no success. They also developed new procedures that also failed to increase profitability. The CEO's patience was at an end because all remedies had been exhausted to no avail.
Without letting go of a single person, What’s My Type? realigned the corporate culture and pointed out where the next new hires should be made. The incredible turnaround began not long after this process began of adding to the compatibility around their top performers and growing the company in that new direction.
One of our clients asked us to solve this question, "We are a company of sleeping dogs. How do we change and become a pride of hungry cats?"
When we analyzed their situation we discovered that the company did have some "hungry cats" but they were isolated from the team. The compatibility balance favoured the “sleeping dogs” who were satisfied with mediocre results.
When we interviewed the "hungry cats" we learned that their performance was less than perfect given the energy they spent in meetings and other non productive sessions as part of the reporting structure. In their minds all of this was an unnecessary burden that inhibited their performance.
The company had tried numerous sales training workshops with no success. They also developed new procedures that also failed to increase profitability. The CEO's patience was at an end because all remedies had been exhausted to no avail.
Without letting go of a single person, What’s My Type? realigned the corporate culture and pointed out where the next new hires should be made. The incredible turnaround began not long after this process began of adding to the compatibility around their top performers and growing the company in that new direction.
Global Innovation
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Teams that are compatible and work well together somteimes need to find a new perspective on things by adopting a Catalyst
A mobile telecommunications company needed a new device to stay ahead of their competition. It had been a while since they had produced any new products for the market. The team had lost their creative spark and didn’t know how to recover.
What’s My Type? faced a couple of challenges. The first, being reenergizing a lacklustre development team and the second, boosting their synergy level to an all time high. What was missing was the confidence the team had with their own level of competency, combined with an overall attitude reflecting the superiority of their competition.
Every time they got together, all they could come up with were solutions that had made their competitors successful. No one knew how to ignite the flame of innovation that they once had. What had not been successfully attempted was a realignment of the team and a new definition of the task.
What’s My Type? introduced the team members to their Personality Profiles and showed each of them examples of creative innovators within their Type categories. The actual compatibility of the team was there except for one very important Catalyst Type needed to draw out the synergy.
Without hiring a new engineer at a premium salary, the company found an individual with the right Personality Type to kick start the process. This individual had virtually no technical expertise but was easily grafted into the team by virtue of the compatibility that this person had with all of the team members.
This inclusion brought about a significant repositioning of the task and offered a point of view that the group could not achieve on its own. The resulting product invented by the team became an industry blockbuster that went on to become a global sensation.
Teams that are compatible and work well together somteimes need to find a new perspective on things by adopting a Catalyst
A mobile telecommunications company needed a new device to stay ahead of their competition. It had been a while since they had produced any new products for the market. The team had lost their creative spark and didn’t know how to recover.
What’s My Type? faced a couple of challenges. The first, being reenergizing a lacklustre development team and the second, boosting their synergy level to an all time high. What was missing was the confidence the team had with their own level of competency, combined with an overall attitude reflecting the superiority of their competition.
Every time they got together, all they could come up with were solutions that had made their competitors successful. No one knew how to ignite the flame of innovation that they once had. What had not been successfully attempted was a realignment of the team and a new definition of the task.
What’s My Type? introduced the team members to their Personality Profiles and showed each of them examples of creative innovators within their Type categories. The actual compatibility of the team was there except for one very important Catalyst Type needed to draw out the synergy.
Without hiring a new engineer at a premium salary, the company found an individual with the right Personality Type to kick start the process. This individual had virtually no technical expertise but was easily grafted into the team by virtue of the compatibility that this person had with all of the team members.
This inclusion brought about a significant repositioning of the task and offered a point of view that the group could not achieve on its own. The resulting product invented by the team became an industry blockbuster that went on to become a global sensation.