ADVANCING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Quiz: Discover your thinking style

Topic: Creative thinking

WE ALL USE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINKING STYLES IN OUR WORKING LIVES, BUT OFTEN WE HAVE A DOMINANT APPROACH, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHOSE OWN MODUS OPERANDI SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY AT ODDS WITH OUR OWN.

Understanding your own thinking style, and those of others, can be enormously beneficial for working in tandem with or complementing the opposing styles of colleagues.

There are a plethora of models designed to gauge your personality at work, some involving hundreds of questions. To give you a quick and effective understanding of your own cognitive style, we’re using a simplified form of a ‘Mind Styles Model’ designed in 1969 by Professor Anthony Gregorc, which is still in wide use today.

Depending on how much time you have or detail you want to go into, there are three ways you can complete the test:

Short on time: for each box, keep a tally of the colours of the words which most closely epitomise you at work. Whichever colour comes out strongest will relate to your dominant thinking style.
Discover more, by selecting from each box both the word that most and least epitomises you and your preferences. Tally up the colours to discover both your most and least dominant thinking styles.
For a more in-depth analysis: from each box, give every colour a score from 1-4 (1 being least like you, 4 being most like you), to discover the full spectrum of your thinking style.

There are no incorrect answers and the results are intended to give you only a guide to your own preferences, and an understanding of others, whose styles sit furthest away from you on the spectrum. A mixed bag of results indicates a rounded, flexible thinker who’s able to adapt their style and work with many different ‘types’.

Your results:

Concrete sequential

Strengths & preferences…

Thrives when given clear, detailed instructions and concrete timelines and goals
Black and white outlook on life
Busy, ‘can’t sit still’ types, always looking for the next challenge
Learns best in quiet, orderly environments
Can take any situation or project and make it better by following orderly steps

Weaknesses & dislikes

Dislikes being wrong
Not a huge fan of brainstorming in groups
Not renowned for imagination or creativity
Sometimes comes across as dismissive of others or arrogant
Struggles with abstract discussions or doing things in a way that isn’t ‘the norm’

Abstract sequential

Strengths & preferences…

Thrives when afford time to slowly digest complex processes
Like to mull over problems before reaching a solution
Like abstract ‘out of the box’ thinking
Learn best in quiet environments where they can learn and absorb with distraction
Enjoy learning for learning’s sake
Wants to be recognised for intellectual ability

Weaknesses & dislikes

Reluctant to take risks
Fear of appearing foolish or uninformed
Struggle to express own emotions or deal with those of others
Can appear uncooperative in groups
Find quick turnarounds and sudden deadlines problematic

Abstract random

Strengths & preferences…

Thrives in group situations where they can put their relationship-building skills to best use
Mindful of the feelings of others – friendly and sensitive
Learns best when able to share and collaborate
Busy bees, able to juggle multiple projects and interests simultaneously
Learn best when given leeway to be independent and creative

Weaknesses & dislikes

Dislikes competitive or dictatorial environments
Held back by fear of being disliked
Reacts poorly to criticism – perceived or real
Takes things personally
Struggles when working with perfectionists or to tight deadlines

Concrete random

Strengths & preferences…

Quick-thinkers who take a hands-on approach
Prefers working alone
Reaches conclusions based on intuition
Thrives in competitive environments
Highly curious, out of box thinkers noted for their unusual thought processes or ways of saying things
Creative thinkers comfortable with a trial and error approach to working

Weaknesses & dislikes