Thinking style

from Lisa
the test, however, is here

Let's begin by saying that you are a high achiever and you are never satisfied until you're at the next level of advancement. Yes, you're a workaholic. You'll do whatever it takes to complete assignments or projects on time and as close to perfection as possible. That makes you an exceptional employee and/or leader.

While you are working, you're always balancing perfection and pragmatism. You always want it done right, yet it has to work in an efficient way. These are not easy processes to mix because most applications are complicated by some unpredictable physical encounters, by differences in how people work, and by time constraints. Yet no matter what the obstacles, you seem to accomplish with high standards almost everything you set out to do.

When you undertake any task, you need three questions answered before you can be confident that the task can be accomplished and proceed. The three questions are as follows:

1. "What's the objective?"
2. "Why are we doing this?"
3. "How can we do this most efficiently?"

While you are getting the answers to these three questions, you continue to move doggedly ahead and finish the task. You won't let anything or anyone stand in the way of accomplishing what has to be completed. You will push people intellectually and physically to do what they are assigned. The task and its time requirements almost always take precedence over people.

You love structure and logical procedures. Without at least a semblance of them, you can become very frustrated in your assignments at work. You constantly ask for these structures and procedures from your superiors. If they still aren't provided, you create them yourself and apply them to the situation and people surrounding you. Then it's full steam ahead!

You dislike chit-chat or meandering conversation. You like things straight on and to the point. There's no time to beat around the bush or stray off task. You dismiss or avoid people and situations that are not task-directed. This bull-headed approach can frustrate others and get you in trouble sometimes, particularly when you're not the boss. The older you are, the more you have developed an understanding of how not to be so confrontational all the time. In fact, you may have learned some alternative ways to approach people in certain situations that will not make them defensive when you need clear structures, procedures, and immediate actions to finish tasks or projects.

You are a winner. Sometimes, the price can be high. It's constant movement from one mountain peak to another. To stay so focused and action-oriented, you have to learn to carry very little baggage from one project or position to another. That's why you insist on clean and orderly desktops at the end of the day. Every so often, you realize how isolated you can become while ascending to the top; however, you continue because you know that this comes with the territory of being No. 1.

You are the consummate high-achieving learner who strives to break the curve in your class and to become an authority on what you're striving to learn. Finishing first gives you the control over your destiny that you desperately need, since you're an independent achiever who knows what you want and where you want to go.

You are a logical, realistic thinker who always needs two questions answered: "Why is this happening?" and "What's the objective or task?" Whatever you are thinking about has to be backed by history and fact. If it doesn't provide these criteria, you are at first skeptical and then rigidly non-accepting. In fact, you're the ultimate skeptic who rarely will be moved into any action without having all of your ducks in a row.

Overall, however, you can be a pragmatic realist who can get people to do what you want. It's during moments of verbal interaction that you can let associates know what needs to be accomplished, how to proceed, and why it is necessary to do it immediately. To make it clear for everyone, you'll have a detailed plan set up explaining what is required for each person to accomplish their tasks and to successfully meet the team's goal.

Traditional learning (lectures and reading) comes easily for you if the lecturer or books are factual, logical, and historical in their approach. However, if the teacher wanders from the topic or uses too many personal examples and grammatical miscues, your respect will dwindle. If these teaching errors continue, you become impatient and arrogant.

You are an excellent listener and reader who easily memorizes and logically categorizes everything. You zero in on the details and build your own rational conclusions. Then you check them over and over in many different ways. It's not that you are distrusting, it's that you're a true, rational, and realistic skeptic. However, if you present something or state that you're going to do something, you know people can depend on you to do it rationally and correctly.

Communications (Verbal):

• Powerful and direct
• A clear and to-the-point communicator, exacting and precise
• Basically factual and logical, may be detailed if needed
• Internally critical when others don't use proper English
• Chit-chat is disregarded unless a superior initiates it
• Excellent debater
• Impatient with long-winded, vague speakers
• Telephone manners are cordial and direct

Communications (Written):

• An excellent writer who has an innate need for perfect grammar and spelling
• Able to use clear logic and linear thought progression
• Creative and imaginative only when necessary
• Extremely critical of their own and others' writing; an exceptional editor
• Gets right to the point; doesn't use flowery words or phrases
• Very punctual about finishing assignments

Taking Directions:

• Follows directions explicitly
• Very formal in following commands
• However, enjoys giving directions and commands more than taking them
• Directions need to be logical and practical. If not, this person will question them

Task Orientation:

• Has a need for structure
• Completes all tasks thoroughly and punctually
• Will do simple, arduous tasks or assignments until they are complete.
• A stick-to-it kind of person
• Proceeds logically and linearly with all assignments
• Doesn't waste a moment, extremely efficient

Sales and Marketing:

• A real closer
• Very clear and persistent in meeting objections
• Efficient and fast; doesn't waste a moment (close, then on to the next)
• Thorough and logical in presentation

Leadership:

• A natural leader; people just feel it
• Commands respect and obedience immediately; can be hard-nosed and blunt if needed
• Structures everything so following directions and orders is simple and efficient
• An achiever of the highest level
• Always moving up the ranks quickly and energetically
• Not afraid of doing whatever is needed to accomplish the assignment
• If the situation demands it, will sacrifice a few for the success of the whole

Supervising This Applicant:

• Provide structure and clear directions/assignment
• Do not be afraid to criticize; these individuals thrive on it
• Always remind them why they should be keeping their eyes on the big picture (vision)
• Give them every opportunity to advance after being very successful
• Be aware of their possible penchants for impatience, callousness, and grudges; help them to understand and to regulate these behaviors under specific conditions
• Appreciate their natural leadership and use it to your advantage

Your vacation begins the moment you decide to take a trip. While others might dream about a trip, you begin a careful analysis of all the facts you need to make an informed decision about your vacation destination and itinerary. Although you like to weigh all the details, you don't want to get bogged down in the process for too long. You want to arrive at your decision quickly. You won't waste too much time in finalizing your plans, as your nature is a wonderful blend of both doer and thinker. You know how to think, plan, and do what is needed to ensure success.

You schedule your vacation for a time that fits your busy work schedule. With all of the latest advancements in communications, gathering detailed travel information is quick. Once you have satisfactory information, you compile a list of places to eat, stay, and visit as well as the best way to get there and back safely on your trip. You will want to find a good travel book to help in your preparations.

You thrive on challenges and are a natural competitor, so make sure your favorite sporting activities are available on your vacation. You would be happy to spend a day golfing, boating, hiking, or walking through the woods. Even a day of exotic sight seeing will keep your legs moving and your juices flowing. You will also want time to exercise your brain, so you might want to consider destinations with historical landmarks or awesome displays of nature. Make sure that your vacation takes into account your hobbies and special interests and provides the means to enjoy those activities. Destinations like the Grand Canyon, the Pacific Northwest, and London will appeal to your sense of historical significance and need for active exploration.

There is a part of you that likes to be in control of all the details of your life and vacation. If you find a particular vacation spot that you enjoy, you will visit it again knowing you can look forward to a vacation without worrying about any unforeseen problems. You don't deviate from the tried and true. This is because you prefer knowing what you are getting yourself into. That is one reason why you work hard and meticulously in making your plans.

Typically you choose clean, well-run establishments. You’ll make sure they provide room service, a concierge, or any other amenities that appeal to you. Once there, you like to jump into action and get going. Lounging around a pool for days on end is not your idea of fun. Swimming laps before an adventurous day of activity is more your speed. You might like a hotel room that is equipped with a high-speed Internet connection so you can put your mind to rest each evening by checking on things at work or finding directions for the next day's itinerary.

It is important to remember that you are a go-getter who is naturally systematic, intelligent and articulate. You like to describe yourself as logical, practical and determined. This applies to your vacation needs and should be taken into consideration when planning any trip. You like meeting deadlines and enjoy challenges of all kinds. When all is said and done, you will be able to enjoy your vacation, knowing you got the right deal and made the correct choice for your own needs based upon all the facts.

Here are some vacation ideas that would appeal to you:

• A visit to historically significant cities, such as Williamsburg, St. Augustine, or Boston.
• Conventions showcasing your favorite hobbies or special interests
• Renting a condo for skiing in Colorado or surfing in Hawaii
• Famous annual events, like Mardi Gras, Carnival, or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona.
• A trip to a place like Puerto Rico, where you can gamble, shop, and walk the historic streets.