The Laban Johnson Group

SORTING STYLES

Team members cannot only complement each with different skills and knowledge but also with different approaches to information. These different sorting styles can also be a source of confrontation and misunderstanding.

Large Chunk – thinks in conceptual wholes; sees the big picture.
Small Chunk – thinks in small pieces, focused on details; sees the little picture

Sequential – Prefers things neat and tidy; orderly, processes oriented = “Let''s finish one thing before we start another.�
Random – Comfortable with having several balls in the air at once; jump from topic to topic during a conversation – A messy desk doesn''t necessarily get in the way of being productive.

Positive – Tends to first see what is positive or beneficial about a situation - “The glass is half full�
Negative – Tends to see the hazards and concerns up front; not necessarily a negative person - “The glass is half empty�

Sameness – Tends to see what''s the same in various situations and objects.
Difference – Tends to see what is different between various objects and situations

Past – Tends to reference events in terms of what has happened before
Present – Tends to reference events in terms of the here and now
Future – Tends to reference events in terms of what might happen tomorrow

I – Based on what individual thinks; uses “I� even when relaying a group decision and may really mean “we�.
We – Prefers to have confirmation from others; uses “we� even when stating an individual decision and may really mean “I�.

Polarity responder – Always has an alternative, (what sounds like and comes across as) a “better way�; proposes the opposite side first; the proverbial “devil''s advocate,� but done unconsciously.
Conformity responder – Less likely to offer alternative suggestions or not the opposite at first.

Approach – Tends to move toward opportunity and situations that satisfy curiosity

Avoidance – Tends to move away from a perceived danger or the unknown - “Don''t do this and this will happen to you�

Excerpt from the book "Rangers Lead the Way: The Army Rangers'' Guide to leading Your Organization Through Chaos" by Dean Hohl & Maryann Karinch