Whereas in the last group (intuition vs sensing), we discovered how people take in and interpret information from their surroundings, in this dichotomy we begin to understand how we make decisions based on that information.

Thinkers want their decision to be based solely on the facts, with no interference from emotions.  For instance, in a position of authority in a business organization, thinkers will have much less difficulty making reductions to staffing and resources if it can be shown that the decision makes economic or strategic sense.

Feelers, on the other hand, will struggle with a similar decision, often to the point of not making the necessary reductions and hurting the business’ bottom line, all because the feeler doesn’t want to hurt people’s feelings.

As with the other two continuums that we’ve already discussed, there are very few people who are totally at one end of the scale or the other.  It’s merely a matter of toward which end you lean.  Likewise, different situations or topics may cause you to lean more one way or the other than what you would normally.

As far as examples of how one would “style switch”, or attempt to work on an issue from their non-preferred end of the spectrum, I think that this dichotomy may be the hardest of the four in which to attempt to do that.  Because emotions are such powerful influences, people who have developed a tendency to ignore them have built up massive defenses to them.  Likewise, those who are used to listening to them may find it very hard to tune them out.

Your best bet is to simply be able to identify a person who has the opposite tendency that you have and ask them how they would make a decision on the situation you are facing.  You may not be able to truly internalize this decision, but at least you will know what the other side thinks of it.

Perhaps, if a “thinker” gives you a rational decision that strains against your normal “feeler” tendencies, you can look for aspects of the decision that can be implemented while still maintaining a decision you can live with.

Likewise, thinkers should look for ways to incorporate feeler tendencies, especially in situations where tough decisions are going to be made and feelings hurt.  The same end result can be accomplished, while also being sensitive to other’s feelings.  As Mary Poppins said, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”.

The next dichotomy we’ll be looking at in our series on personality typing is the sensing versus intuition continuum.  What we’re dealing with here, in a nutshell, is determining how an individual prefers to gather and interpret information.

Folks who prefer intuition like theories and abstractions, like information that can be associated with other information to form patterns.  They rely on their gut feeling more, because they know that the subconscious makes associations between seemingly disparate information that they may not be aware of.  These folks tend to be big picture thinkers, who either can’t or won’t focus on details.

Sensors, on the other hand, prefer to gather facts that are tangible and demonstrative, that can be understood with the five senses.  They mistrust intuition, or at least wish to have hunches backed up by data and fact.  In contrast to intuitives, these people are very detail-oriented and are definitely the ones you want doing your taxes or putting together your seat belt in the car assembly plant.

So,  now that we know that, how can we all learn to get along?  What can someone with a preference for sensing do to try to pass themselves off as an intuitive?

The key is to be willing to make a decision based on your gut.  Learn to be comfortable when an intuitive says that they did something because they felt like it was the right thing to do.  It may be difficult or impossible for an intuitive to explain what the process was that they used to arrive at a decision, because it often just appears.

However, if you’re willing to invest the time, you can discuss the issue with them, trying to cover conceivably related issues, times where this may have happened before, etc. in order to come to a round-about understanding of what went on below the surface.

Conversely, how does an intuitve learn to speak “sensing”?

Make yourself stop and look at the data.  Ask a sensor why they made the decision that they made, and what the process was that they went through in order to arrive at that conclusion.  Learn that it’s okay to gather information to support a decision, and many times it’s better to gather more information than you think you need.

Like everything else in life, there are positives and negatives of either method.  If you’re an intuitive, what do you need to beware of?

Your biggest challenge (and I’m talking to myself here, as an intuitive) is running off half-cocked, or making snap decisions based on a feeling.  Although an intuitive decision can be right, they’re not always right.  A key phrase to remember is “Don’t trust your gut unless you have to”.

Sensors, on the other hand, need to be aware of analysis paralysis.  Death by data occurs when you prolong gathering of information in order to not make a decision at all.  If you have fear of a situation, a natural tendency is to keep looking and looking for more data in the hopes that the situation will sort itself out.

This rarely happens.  If your data becomes repetitive, that means that it’s time to make a decision.  Right or wrong, learn to live with it.

Again, as in everything else in life, the key is moderation.  A tendency one way or the other is natural, but you should always incorporate some of the other style into your decision making process.  I think most everyone does this anyway, but some of us (especially when stressed) tend to become more extreme in our tendencies.  It’s important to keep this in mind when things get tense, since these situations are typically the ones where we can least afford to make a decision without utilizing all the data available to us.