hard work in career and academics is a given.
someone who does not have it nor makes use of own potential, loses.
that said, on average, who do you run into mostly - a doer, a thinker, an imitator
or a real practical learner?
who is the most successful?
Re: types - doers or thinkers, immitators or real practical learners?
Good question Dush… although I personally see these dichotomies between Thinkers and Doers and Innovators and Imitators as overly simplistic in today’s world.
From my own experience in management consulting, I can tell you that when I used to put together a new project team, I used to want to draft in people from both camps… thinkers and doers. Having them together in the same team gives rise to a certain creative tension with the development of new products and processes. The key is however, to be able to manage both these groups well by nurturing their aptitudes and keeping them motivated, and this is where the leader steps in… someone who excels at both thinking and doing… and isn’t just mediocre at either of them. These are the people who’re the real entrepreneurs… who both think and do!
Also, when it comes to the dichotomy between imitators and innovators, it’s okay to be an imitator sometimes… that’s the whole idea behind following “best practices” in your area of work… sometimes, there’s no need to take on additional risk for something that’s been tried and tested by others. I’m not sure if you heard Warren Buffets interview last week when he was talking about our current economic state… he actually talked about the three Is… Innovators, Imitators and Idiots :)
Re: types - doers or thinkers, immitators or real practical learners?
Oh I took a personality test based on Karl Jung's concepts. I am a ESTJ personality. I had the explaining sheet and all that too.
Re: types - doers or thinkers, immitators or real practical learners?
in my case, experience of speaking to someone who is not phony and has fake facades, is the one who earns respect from me. lucid chaotic, you are right, when you said that the ones who flourish are the thinkers and the doers.
leg break googly, that is only a pre-written inventory of personality types.
not everyone has had a diagnostic like this.
but good to know.
the permutations according to the personality types and many and then within them, there can be a multitude of un identified ones, which may very well work.
a lot of research lit is on this in I/O and also in education theories.
the truth about practicality can't be under-minded.
any other thoughts?
I cant really tell you what the most common type out there is, because its a whole mix... If we are trying to figure out whos the most successful, I would say 'it depends'. Practical learners end up being really good doers and thinkers in the long run. Some imitators are just very good at imitating and can come across as great doers and thinkers and get away with it as well depending on how good their people skills are.
My personal example would be that of a practical learner... As a personality, I would call myself someone a bit laid back and maybe not a huge risk taker... but a part of me always wants to put myself out of my comfort zone and I end up being a risk taker who puts himself in situations he's really uncomfortable with in terms of.. 'gee can I actually do this??' 'sure you can! lets find out!'... and thats where you learn the most... and learn very quickly... and that helps you alot in the long term. A part of me is very stubborn as well, and would on purpose pick the most difficult tasks (to see if I could do it)... and that helped me as well. I think liking a challenge is very important for anyone thats striving to get better. And all that goes back to being a practical learner.
You cant achieve your full potential unless you really put urself out of your comfort zone where there is real pressure on you to deliver an outcome. All doers and thinkers have to go through it in their careers early on I think. You jump in the deep end and you must learn to swim or you're out of the game. Thats my philosophy anyway. Has worked for me so far.