ÂŽ
Archetypical Thinking Styles for Groups Future Thinking Style When the predominant thinking style of a group is Future, the group's thinking tempo will be quick and energetic, which manifests as a culture that is optimistic, visionary, innovative, spontaneous, driven toward change, and solution focused. This group is likely to be known for being creative and innovative, able to generate ideas easily and quickly, and able to adapt to ever changing circumstances. As a whole, this group will tend to be on the lookout for new opportunities and not satisfied with the status quo. In fact, this group will probably be the one driving change. It is likely to be known as spontaneous and impulsive: quick to make decisions and quick to jump from one idea to another. This group is probably also known for inspiring others with its visionary view of the world, its overall dynamic and persuasive method of interacting with others, and for maintaining a relatively generally optimistic view of the world. In a predominantly Future thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Staying focused and not getting too caught up in the creative process, chasing new ideas, or pursuing new opportunities, especially when it's time to move on to researching and validating the group's ideas Developing action plans, and organizing the resources needed to bring those plans to fruition. Living with the status quo since your group is stimulated by change and inspired to participate in it. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Past and Present thinking, since the group
Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Future thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. -------------------Future-Past Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Future/Past, the group's thinking tempo will be quick and energetic interspersed with periods of activity slow and measured quiet time. This is likely to manifest as a culture that embodies an optimistic skepticism, a cautious hopefulness, a drive toward meaningful change, researched ingenuity and innovation, measured change and exploration, and which is attuned to truth, fairness, and accuracy. More than likely, this group is known for its informed vision and pursuit of proven opportunities, as well as the ability to generate highly viable yet innovative ideas. Visionary on the one hand, and analytical on the other, this group is likely to be able to easily generate creative ideas and solutions to problems, while maintaining a skeptical awareness that allows for the testing of these ideas to see which ones are the most viable. This group is likely to bring a level of creative energy as well as the safety of well-researched knowledge to all that comes to its attention. It is able to precariously balance its desire for change with a need to assure itself that it is making the right decisions. This group is probably also known for being very persuasive because its creative ideas are usually backed up with facts and carefully thought-out logical arguments. Similarly, this group often sees and desires to jump at opportunities, but then steps back to evaluate them before it does. When making decisions, the group tends to be impulsive when the decision has little long-term impact, but carefully weighs the pros and cons of its choices when the decision is an important one. This group is probably known for being very persuasive because its creative ideas are usually backed up with facts and carefully thought-out logical arguments. Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
In a blended Future/Past thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Staying focused and not getting too caught up in chasing and/or validating new ideas or opportunities, especially when it's time to move on to developing action plans, and organizing the resources needed to bring those plans to fruition. Living with the status quo since your is likely to not only question the status quo but also inspired to participate in changing it. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Present thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Future and Past thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. ------------------Past-Future Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Past/Future, the group's thinking tempo will be slow and measured interspersed with periods of quick and energetic activity. This is likely to manifest as a culture that embodies an optimistic skepticism, a cautious hopefulness, a drive toward meaningful change, researched ingenuity and innovation, measured change and exploration, and which is attuned to truth, fairness, and accuracy. More than likely, this group is known for its informed vision and pursuit of proven opportunities, as well as the ability to generate highly viable yet innovative ideas. Visionary on the one hand, and analytical on the other, this group is likely to be able to easily generate creative ideas and solutions to problems, while maintaining a skeptical awareness that allows for the testing of these ideas to see which ones are the most viable. This group is likely to bring a level of creative energy as well as the safety of well-researched knowledge to all that comes to its attention. It is able to precariously balance its desire for Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
change with a need to assure itself that it is making the right decisions. This group is probably also known for being very persuasive because its creative ideas are usually backed up with facts and carefully thought-out logical arguments. Similarly, this group often sees and desires to jump at opportunities, but then steps back to evaluate them before it does. When making decisions, the group tends to be impulsive when the decision has little long-term impact, but carefully weighs the pros and cons of its choices when the decision is an important one. In a blended Past/Future thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Staying focused and not getting too caught up in chasing and/or validating new ideas or opportunities, especially when it's time to move on to developing action plans, and organizing the resources needed to bring those plans to fruition. Living with the status quo since your is likely to not only question the status quo but also inspired to participate in changing it. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Present thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Past and Future thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. -----------------Past Thinking Style When the predominant thinking style of a group is Future, the group's thinking tempo will be slow and measured, which manifests as a culture that is skeptical, attuned to truth, fairness, and accuracy, and focused on reducing the risk of failure. In general, this group tends to reflect deeply on issues, using knowledge, past experience, and memories to guide behavior Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
®
and is known for being informed, analytical, and research oriented. This group is also likely to be known for its ability to accurately assess the viability of ideas, develop measures of performance, and weigh all the information available before making a decision. Moreover, your group tends to be concerned with mining facts and data for what is truly important, meaningful, and truthful. Like a panel of Supreme Court justices, the group as a whole will listen to all arguments before forming an opinion, but will be skeptical and cynical about what it hears. In turn, others will likely listen to what this group has to say because it is able to easily present convincing, deeply considered arguments to others. In fact, the group will hesitate committing to particular courses of action unless the viability of the path has already been validated. It will tend to avoid “betting the farm” by being aware of the risks involved in all decisions. In a predominantly Past thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Knowing when the group has collected and analyzed enough information to allow the group to move into the planning, organization, and execution phase of its project or make the decision that it needs to make. Meeting deadlines, since doing things right is more important to the group than getting things done on time. Similarly, organizing and planning activities in order to accomplish a task, since doing so tends to limit the group's natural propensity to take its time. Accepting change and letting go of the past. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Future and Present thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Past thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success.
© 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
Past-Present Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Past/Present, the group's thinking tempo will be slow, even-paced, deliberate, and measured. This is likely to manifest as a culture that focuses largely on the collection and organization of details, facts, and knowledge that are used to support traditional methods of doing things, the adherence to tried and true policies and procedures, and a harmonious skepticism that encourages truth seeking that supports existing plans. Valuing both analysis and pragmatism, this group is probably known for being strategic and informed, practical and organized, and thorough and accurate. It is probably also known for careful planning based on deliberate investigation, often developing well-thought out action plans for getting things done that are relevant, meaning, fully tested and highly likely to succeed. Moreover, this group is likely to maintain existing policies and procedures designed to keep things flowing smoothly and harmoniously, using existing organizational structures to organize knowledge, information, and resources to maintain a high level of efficiency. As a whole, this group tends to manifest a cautious practicality, blending both the need to uncover truths with the need to maintain harmony and fairness. It is likely to be fully informed, results-oriented, and able to focus on getting things done while simultaneously managing the risks involved. In a blended Past/Present thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Taking the time to brainstorm in order to generate new and innovative ideas and solutions to problems. Being flexible and not getting caught up in adhering to and enforcing existing rules and procedures to the point of rigidity.
Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
Changing plans quickly when circumstances or the evidence dictates. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Past thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Future and Present thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. ------------------Present-Past Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Present/Past, the group's thinking tempo will be slow, even-paced, deliberate, and measured. This is likely to manifest as a culture that focuses largely on the collection and organization of details, facts, and knowledge that are used to support traditional methods of doing things, the adherence to tried and true policies and procedures, and a harmonious skepticism that encourages truth seeking that supports existing plans. Valuing both analysis and pragmatism, this group is probably known for being strategic and informed, practical and organized, thorough and accurate. This group is probably known for careful planning based on deliberate investigation, often developing well-thought out action plans for getting things done that are relevant, meaning, fully tested and highly likely to succeed. Moreover, it is likely to maintain existing policies and procedures designed to keep things flowing smoothly and harmoniously, using existing organizational structures to organize knowledge, information, and resources to maintain a high level of efficiency. As a whole, this group tends to manifest a cautious practicality, blending both the need to uncover truths with the need to maintain harmony and fairness. This group is likely to be fully informed, results oriented, and able to focus on getting things Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
done while simultaneously managing the risks involved. In a blended Present/Past thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Taking the time to brainstorm in order to generate new and innovative ideas and solutions to problems. Being flexible and not getting caught up in adhering to and enforcing existing rules and procedures to the point of rigidity. Changing plans quickly when circumstances or the evidence dictates. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Past thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Future and Present thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. -----------------Present Thinking Style When the predominant thinking style of a group is Present, the group's thinking tempo will be even-paced and deliberate, which manifests as a culture that needs structure, supports the status quo, and is focused on harmony and achieving its goals. This group is likely to be known for its planning and organization skills and for getting things done. As a result, others turn to this group when action plans need to be developed, when policies and procedures need to be enacted, and when ideas are ready for implementation. Highly conscientious and dependable, this group tends to be the one that attempts to maintain control and harmony with on what's going in its world. This can possibly lead to an over-reliance on rule following and policy planning. However, the structure and framework that this group easily and naturally creates are often Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
®
critical to taking the validated ideas of others to fruition. In a predominantly Present thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Not being able to changing plans quickly when circumstances or the evidence dictates and not being able to see opportunities that emerge when things don't go as planned. Not being overly rigid or rule bound; a resistance to breaking “the rules” (Past thinking) when they need to be broken. Not getting too caught up in policies and procedures: a resistance to spontaneity and flexibility (Future thinking). Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Future and Past thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Present thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. ----------------Present-Future Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Present/Future, the group's thinking tempo will be even-paced and deliberate interspersed with periods of quick and energetic activity. This is likely to manifest as a culture that embodies an optimistic pragmatism often focused around planned change that is driven by a compelling vision, structured innovation and ingenuity, the practical pursuit of opportunities, and hope guided by harmony. This group is likely known for being able to generate very creative yet practical ideas. Being visionary on the one hand, and practical on the other, it is able to both see opportunities and assess the extent to which they fit in with the group's plans. Moreover, this group is probably known for being able to develop innovative action plans for getting things done as well as finding © 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
creative ways to organize resources for executing those plans. And when something doesn't quite go as planned, this group is probably able to quickly improvise new methods to keep things on track. As a whole, this group is likely to want to jump at opportunities when it sees them, but then takes the time to plan its approach before it jumps. When making decisions, the group tends to be impulsive when the decision has little long-term impact, but will carefully assess the practicality of its decision when it's an important one that may affect its long-range plans. In a blended Present/Future thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Not taking the time to validate its ideas before it jumps into action planning and idea execution. This is likely to lead to a costly investment of resources into ideas that haven't been shown to be viable. Paying attention to people who point out the inherent risks of your ideas and plans. Ensuring that any plans the group implements are fair for all concerned. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Past thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Present and Future thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. -----------------Future-Present Thinking Style When the thinking style of a group is blended Future/Present, the group's thinking tempo will be quick and energetic interspersed with even-paced and deliberate periods of activity. This is likely to manifest as a culture that embodies an optimistic Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
pragmatism often focused around planned change that is driven by a compelling vision, structured innovation and ingenuity, the practical pursuit of opportunities, and hope guided by harmony. This group is likely known for being able to generate very creative yet practical ideas. Being visionary on the one hand, and practical on the other, it is able to both see opportunities and assess the extent to which they fit in with the group's plans. Moreover, this group is probably known for being able to develop innovative action plans for getting things done as well as finding creative ways to organize resources for executing those plans. And when something doesn't quite go as planned, this group is probably able to quickly improvise new methods to keep things on track. As a whole, this group is likely to want to jump at opportunities when it sees them, but then takes the time to plan its approach before it jumps. When making decisions, the group tends to be impulsive when the decision has little long-term impact, but will carefully assess the practicality of its decision when it's an important one that may affect its long-range plans. In a blended Future/Present thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: Not taking the time to validate its ideas before it jumps into action planning and idea execution. This is likely to lead to a costly investment of resources into ideas that haven't been shown to be viable. Paying attention to people who point out the inherent risks of your ideas and plans. Ensuring that any plans the group implements are fair for all concerned. Being mindful to pay attention to the values and behaviors associated with Past thinking, since the group culture tends to favor those values and behaviors associated with Present and Future thinking. Doing so will be essential to the group's success. Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.
ÂŽ
Integrated Thinking Style When the predominant thinking style of a group is Integrated, the group's thinking tempo will be varied, improvisational, and adaptable, manifesting as a flexible balance between innovation, analysis, and planning and execution. This group has the potential for shifting easily between Future, Past, and Present thinking perspectives depending on the circumstances and situation. When creativity and innovation are needed, this group has the people who are able to see opportunities, easily generate new ideas, and champion a culture that is optimistic, visionary and solution focused. When research and analysis are required, it has the people it needs to who can gather and analyze data and information, validate the groups ideas, and champion a culture that is skeptical, attuned to truth and accuracy, and capable of reducing the risk of failure. When the group is ready to implement its ideas, it has the people it needs to generate action plans, organize resources to execute those plans, and champion a culture that is focused on harmony and achieving its goals. In a predominantly Integrated thinking group, members may face a few potential challenges: There may be times when the group has difficulty establishing a clear use of one of the three thinking perspectives when that is needed or leading with a strong point of view. This would be especially true if your group consists largely of individuals with Integrated thinking styles. It's possible that the group may become polarized as a result of differences among individuals with different thinking styles. This would be especially true if your group consists of a relatively equal mix of people with Dominant Future, Past, and Present thinking styles versus an equal mix of people with Integrated thinking styles.
Š 1997-2011 MindTime Technologies Inc.