I am not a big risk-taker. Case in point: After losing money in the stock market crash of 1987, I didn't invest again in the stock market until 2020. It only took me 33 years to build up the nerve to reinvest!
One of my kids is much quicker to make a decision. One day this kid wanted to make a desk from scratch—and next thing you know, I see lumber in the car, and my table saw (that this kid has never used!) in our driveway. Can we at least not lose any fingers, please?
So who is better, the contemplative, careful decision-maker like myself or the fast-acting, spontaneous one? The answer is, of course…both! With that in mind, here are tips for interacting better with both sides of the spectrum:
To The Lower Self-Control Person:
1. How well do you see that higher Self-Control types are beneficial in that they possess strengths such as: Composed, Careful, Thinks before speaking, Deliberate decision-making? (p.s.—what's one of those strengths you could further appreciate in someone?)
2. How well do you see the risks of your lower Self-Control tendency, such as: Saying something impulsively, Making hasty decisions, Interrupting, Escalating emotions?
To The Higher Self-Control Person:
1. How well do you see that lower Self-Control types are beneficial in that they possess strengths such as: Acts quickly, Expressive, Adventurous, Spontaneous? (p.s.—what's one of those strengths you could further appreciate in someone?)
2. How well do you see the risks of your higher Self-Control tendency, such as: Less expressive, Less decisive, Less spontaneous, Avoiding uncertainty or risk?
The danger is when one extreme judges the other to a fault. Most teams at work and at home need balance, so think about someone you can try to see more clearly and embrace that balance.
Contributed by Dr. Chris J. White, Chief Science Officer, Teamalytics
