type related conflicts - PART I

Written by Shawn Bakker

Conflict at work occurs for a host of reasons that cannot be explained or approached by examining type differences. However, since type does relate to differences in communication style, information gathering, and decision making, type differences can lead to conflict between colleagues. This month we will identify the common type conflicts between Extraversion-Introversion, and Sensing-Intuition. Next month we will look at Thinking-Feeling, and Judging-Perceiving.

Extraversion-Introversion

Conflicts between these preferences often fall into two areas: Quick versus slower pacing, and changeability of topics versus focus. People who prefer Extraversion tend to work at a rapid pace. They develop their ideas by talking. As they talk their thoughts become clearer, resulting in frequent changes of direction during the course of a discussion. People who prefer Introversion want to process internally and need time (without talking) to do so. The thinking out-loud of Extraverts gets in the way of their thinking inside process. As well, when people preferring Introversion tune back into conversations they often find the topic has shifted. This results in Extraverts seeing Introverts as withholding or not interested, while Introverts see Extraverts as invasive. To top it off, they both may think the other is avoiding the topic.

Sensing-Intuition

The two conflicts that frequently relate to differences in this area are agreeing on what the problem is, and a focus on experience versus a focus on theories. Sensing types define problems by what actually happened, usually concrete events. Intuitive types are more likely to see the concrete event as part of a pattern that they think is the real problem. So while Sensing types are trying to get someone to attend meetings on time, Intuitive types look at what is behind the individual coming late to meetings, such as a difficulty with authority figures. For Intuitive types, taking action to get the person to meetings on time does not deal with the real problem. For Sensing types, “difficulty with authority figures” has little meaning and no solution.  When conflicts or problems arise, Sensing types trust what they know has worked before in similar situations. Intuitive types are more likely to find theoretical explanations and solutions from sources such as books. Sensing types and Intuitive types sometimes end up in a conflict where each thinks the other “just doesn’t get it.”

Read part II >