15. Clarifiers: preference for clarifying the situation Ideators: preference for generating ideas and solutions Developers: preference for refining and developing solutions Implementers: preference for acting to implement plans
16. Activity # 1: Down the left hand side of a blank page, write the numbers one through four. Now look at the basic thinking process. Of these four types of thinking, which do you feel comes most naturally to you? (Rank that as number 1). Of the 3 remaining, which do you struggle with most? (Rank that as number 4). Of the 2 remaining, which do you enjoy the most? (Rank that as number 2. Rank the remaining as number 3). Post the ranking in your blog.
17.
18. At this time please read your FourSight scores, understand your peak preferences and compare with the rankings you did in activity #1.
Editor's Notes
Welcome to the FourSight Thinking Profile Lesson 1. First, I want to thank you for completing the online FourSight Thinking Profile assessment and reassure you that the more you know about how you engage in the breakthrough thinking process, the more effective you can be. Once you understand your own style preferences, you can undertake specific skill development, dipping into a tool box that is fifty years in the making, to fine tune your ability to master the breakthrough thinking process. Second, I want to emphasize the importance of completing each of the Individual and Group Blog Activities to get a better understanding of the four different thinking profiles and how you can apply this new knowledge into your daily activities. So let’s begin….
Alan Jay Zaramba explains in his book, Organizational Communication , that communication is not a one-way process, rather it is a non-linear process which is influenced not only by verbal but also by non-verbal and intentional and unintentional actions. Messages should be: Timely Clear Accurate Pertinent Credible Click on the play button to see what can happen when communication is not done correctly….. Zaramba, Alan Jay (2006). Organizational Communication: Foundations for Business and Management, 2e Thomson.
In the following video you will observe how this group of men handle the challenge, we could say they followed McNamara’s seven step for decision making: 1. Define the problem 2. Look at potential causes for the problem 3. Identify alternatives for approaches to resolve the problem 4. Select an approach to resolve the problem 5. Plan the implementation of the best alternative (this is your action plan) 6. Monitor implementation of the plan 7. Verify if the problem has been resolved or not Mcnamara, Carter (2008). Field Guide to Leadership and Supervision. Published by Authenticity Consulting, LLC.
The following video addresses how we problem solve…..is this the way you are problem solving your everyday challenges?.....
Take a look at these four modes of thinking and consider how you interact with the breakthrough process. We don’t all engage in the breakthrough thinking process in the same way, most of us prefer some modes of thinking over others, suggesting that we have strengths and blind spots. With awareness, people and groups can leverage their strengths, and fortify areas of weakness.
The more you know about how to engage in the breakthrough thinking process, the more effective you can be. This is true for individuals as well as teams. With awareness, people can leverage their strengths, and fortify areas of weakness. Likewise, teams who understand and appreciate style differences cam collaborate more effectively: Team members can go beyond simply tolerating the fact that people have distinct preferences and can actually turn style differences into a point of advantage, rather than a point of stress or conflict. Once you understand your own style preference, you can undertake specific skill development to master the breakthrough thinking process.
Earlier we talked about the four basic areas of the breakthrough process. FourSight measures your preference for each of those areas. Not surprisingly, those who have a preference for clarifying the situation are called Clarifiers. Those who have a preference for generating ideas and solutions are called Ideators. Those who have preference for refining and developing solutions are called Developers. And those who have a preference for acting to implement plans are called Implementers.