Forest or Tree
Everyone in the workplace behaves and communicates differently. Some team members thrive on innovation and creativity with an eye on the future; others are consistent and process-oriented. Some need more time to develop ideas independently, while others thrive when brainstorming with a group. Direct influencers opt for clear, upfront communication. Cautious influencers are diplomatic and tactful. The most successful teams understand, respect, nurture, and reap the benefits of a variety of preferences. Successful organizations learn to judge less, embrace differences and complement each other’s strengths.
There are three areas that are critical to both personal and professional dynamics, and we use them every day.
- processing our environment
- building our ideas to reality
- influencing others
Inter Face™ is a behavioral methods instrument that provides participants with feedback in these three areas of day-to-day behaviors. This blog will focus on the second of the three day-to- day behaviors – building our ideas to reality.
Two Different Ways to Advance Your Thinking and Fully Form Your Ideas
The way an individual processes their thoughts can have a significant impact on their productivity in the workplace. The ability to think critically, organize ideas, and maintain focus plays a crucial role in completing tasks efficiently and effectively. Individuals with strong cognitive processing skills can analyze complex problems, break them down into manageable components, and develop clear strategies to tackle them. Moreover, effective thought processing enables individuals to prioritize tasks, allocate time and resources wisely, and make sound decisions.
Processing thoughts is a highly individualized cognitive process, and different individuals have varying preferences and strengths when it comes to generating ideas and developing them further. Some individuals thrive when given ample time to develop ideas independently. They prefer solitude and uninterrupted periods of reflection, allowing them to delve deep into their thoughts, explore various angles, and cultivate innovative concepts. These individuals often excel in tasks that require focused attention, intricate problem-solving, and creative exploration.
On the other hand, there are individuals who find their best ideas emerge through collaborative efforts and brainstorming sessions with a group. Engaging in discussions and bouncing ideas off others ignites their creativity and stimulates their thought process. The dynamic exchange of perspectives, diverse insights, and the opportunity to build upon one another’s ideas can lead to synergistic outcomes. Group brainstorming fosters a sense of shared ownership and collective creativity, enabling individuals to leverage the strengths and expertise of the team.
Interface Methods™ scale measures the way individuals advance their thinking. How do you develop ideas? How do you process your thoughts? Are you a “tree” or a “forest”?
Digging Deeper into the Tree
A “Tree” likes to develop ideas by themselves. They will fully formulate their thinking internally, and the idea will gain momentum through their internal dialogue and analysis. They need this preparation time before sharing ideas with others. To a Tree, sharing is not a step in the process; it is finality.
They thrive in settings that allow for focused introspection and deep analysis of complex problems. These individuals are adept at exploring various possibilities, meticulously examining details, and connecting disparate pieces of information to form cohesive and innovative solutions. Internal thinkers often have a rich internal thought process that enables them to generate original ideas and insights. They appreciate the solitude and quiet needed to fully immerse themselves in their thoughts, allowing their creativity to flourish. By valuing and creating space for these internal thinkers, organizations can tap into their exceptional problem-solving abilities and benefit from the depth and ingenuity of their ideas.
Digging Deeper into the Forest
A “Forest” likes to develop their ideas with input from others. They formulate their thinking by processing externally, and the idea will gain momentum through discussion. To a Forest, sharing is a step in an ongoing process, and ideas are likely to change as they move along.
These external thinkers excel in developing their ideas through collaboration and engagement with others. They thrive on the energy and synergy that arises from group interactions and actively seek opportunities to bounce ideas off their colleagues. These individuals are skilled at leveraging the collective intelligence of a team, drawing inspiration from diverse perspectives and insights. External thinkers thrive in brainstorming sessions, team meetings, and collaborative projects where they can engage in lively discussions, challenge assumptions, and build upon the ideas of others. They bring a dynamic and social approach to idea development, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared ownership. By harnessing the strengths of external thinkers, organizations can benefit from their ability to foster collaboration, ignite creativity, and generate innovative solutions that emerge from the collective wisdom of the team.
Adapting to the Preferences of Others
Some of us do our thinking internally, to ourselves and want it fully formed before we
finally speak. Some of us formulate our thinking out loud, with others, and must talk it through before we can finalize it. Therefore, we speak before we have fully formulated the idea. When working with someone who advances their thinking differently, there are almost always challenges which, if not managed, will lead to a fracture in our ability to produce things together. Sound familiar?
Some might think that Forests, who work best by talking with others, may be more extroverted and gather energy from being around others. But that is not always the case. And you may find that more Trees need down time to think, or are more introverted, but that also is not always the
case. A person who figures out something in his or her head before talking it out with others is NOT necessarily introverted in their interactions with others. Likewise, a person who figures out something by dialoguing with others is NOT always extroverted in their interactions with others. Maybe, but not definitely.
Respecting and appreciating the preferences of trees and forests in the workplace is essential for fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Here are some tips for promoting mutual respect:
- Embrace Diversity: Recognize that individuals have different thinking preferences, and this diversity brings valuable perspectives to the table. Embrace the strengths and unique contributions of both internal and external thinkers.
- Foster Open Communication: Encourage open and respectful communication among team members. Create a safe space where individuals can express their thoughts, preferences, and ideas without judgment or criticism.
- Provide Flexibility: Establish a work environment that allows for flexibility in ideation processes. Offer designated quiet spaces for internal thinkers to focus, as well as opportunities for group brainstorming and collaboration for external thinkers.
- Encourage Active Listening: Cultivate a culture of active listening, where team members genuinely listen and seek to understand each other’s viewpoints. Encourage internal thinkers to share their well-developed ideas, and promote active participation from external thinkers to foster collaboration.
- Promote Collaboration: Provide opportunities for collaboration between trees and forests. Foster cross-functional projects, pair internal and external thinkers on teams, and encourage knowledge-sharing sessions to leverage the strengths of both thinking preferences.
- Value Contributions Equally: Recognize and value the contributions of both internal and external thinkers. Acknowledge the thoughtful insights of trees and the collaborative ideas generated by forests. Celebrate diversity and highlight the importance of each thinking style in driving innovation.
- Foster a Learning Culture: Encourage a culture of continuous learning and personal growth. Provide training and resources that help individuals develop skills in both independent thinking and collaborative ideation, fostering a balance between the two approaches.
- Practice Empathy: Cultivate empathy among team members by promoting an understanding of different thinking preferences. Encourage individuals to put themselves in others’ shoes and appreciate the value that each thinking style brings to the team.
By embracing and respecting the preferences of trees and forests, teams can harness the full potential of their collective intelligence, foster collaboration, and drive innovative outcomes. Organizations that promote complementary cohesion tend to be more successful, as they are able to harness the diverse perspectives and talents of their employees to drive innovation and creativity. They are also able to attract and retain top talent, as people are more likely to want to work in an environment that values their unique contributions.
Getting Started with Inter Face™:
It all starts with a 10-minute survey. The Inter Face Methods Learning eXcelerator™ quickly identifies behavior and communication styles, then populates a report detailing the individual’s unique combination (and degree) of preferences. Employees and managers get an immediate picture of how each member works best.
EDGES™ helps bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be as an organization. We help teams work better together. At EDGES™, we are experts in diagnosing the issues getting in the way of success. We work with you to craft a strategic plan to achieve your business goals, shepherd your team through the growth plan, and measure progress along the way. Visit our website to get started.