When the Golden Rule Backfires: Visions for the Future versus Practical Use Now
by Jeff Pearson
Some people are visionaries. They’re constantly thinking about the future. Others are more practical. They’re constantly thinking about what needs to be done now.
The distinction is important for anyone who works on a team, who is in a relationship, or who wonders why another reasonably-minded person sees an issue in a very different way.
My wife, Megan, recently focused on painting a room. She remained laser focused on getting the room painted and has spent countless hours getting it done. Meanwhile, I thought, “Why do we need to paint this room?”
Welcome back to my current series, When the Golden Rule Backfires. The series discusses how people have different personality codes, so the golden rule may not work well when you’re interacting with someone with a different personality code from yourself. In previous articles, we examined the differences between Feelers (guided by feelings and values) and Thinkers (guided by objective analysis). And we looked at Judgers (like control and order) and Perceivers (like options and personal freedom). Here, we examine Intuitives and Sensors, which are identified as N’s and S’s according to the conventional Myers-Briggs personality code.
The difference between Intuitives and Sensors turns on where they get their information and how they put it together.
Intuitives (N’s) can see others as unimaginative, lacking vision, and too resistant to change. In other words, visionaries can get frustrated when others don’t see the big picture. This is because the big picture—to visionaries—is what matters most.
Sensors (S’s) can see others (especially visionaries) as too theoretical, unrealistic, or out-of-touch. The more practical ones tend to focus on details and what needs to be done now. This is because the here-and-now—to the practical ones—is what matters most.
So how do you know if someone is an Intuitive or a Sensor? First, most people (65%) are Sensors. Out of the gates, Intuitives are in the minority. But there are other clues.
Sensors are more aware of their appearance and surroundings, while Intuitives can often seem oblivious to how they look and what’s going on immediately around them.
Sensors speak sequentially and stay on topic. Intuitives move from one topic to another as if putting together a puzzle.
Sensors focus on the practical use of something now. Intuitives see possibilities.
After spotting a Sensor or Intuitive, how do you reach them?
If talking to a Sensor, explain the issue step-by-step. Cite details and facts, especially things proven by past experience. Be clear and explain the practical use now.
If talking to an Intuitive, discuss the big picture. Intuitives enjoy brainstorming and imagining possibilities. Don't focus on unnecessary details. Recognize important patterns and explain your vision for the future. Intuitives want to know how what you’re doing fits into the big picture.
For sure, it’s important to recognize that both Sensors and Intuitives have their own gifts. But we’ll have to discuss that in more detail later because I’ve reached my word limit. And I sense that my wife wants me to stop writing and help her paint…