Our personal, work, and social lives are constantly being exposed to changes. How do you respond?

How we respond will vary, depending on our dominant personality profile.

Being cognisant of this and of those around us will influence how we behave.

Typically our dominant profile will fall into one of four types.

Sensing types thrive on getting things done promptly, without unnecessary and time-consuming deliberations. They want to respond immediately pursuing whatever needs to be done.

They are likely to express a direct, down-to-earth, energetic approach.

They will demand

Real data – why is the change occurring?

Specifics about what exactly is to change

Realistic pictures of the future created by the change

Clear guidelines on expectations

Intuitive types place a high value on ideas, innovation and long-term thinking. They derive greatest satisfaction from the world of possibilities. Often their imaginative inputs have a way of being a catalyst for how those around them will respond. They tend to challenge because they have learned the value of continuous probing and re-examination.

They will be more stimulated and personally rewarded by the effort in problem solving, rather than in implementing solutions.

They will want

A general plan, options or direction to develop

To create a vision of the future

Opportunities to participate in designing what the change will create

Thinking types will apply logic, explore ideas, and systematic inquiry. They find satisfaction in identifying a problem, developing a variety of possible solutions, considering them carefully and testing them to see that the most logical approach is followed.

Thinkers will want

Clarity in the decision making and logical planning

Competency in those leading the change

Fairness and equitability in the change

Feeling types are quite astute in human interaction “reading between the lines” about what people say and do.

They will want to know

The impact on people and understand how individuals’ needs will be addressed

How they and others impacted will be supported

How they and others impacted will be included in the process

So which type are you and does it reflect how you react when exposed to change?