Judging Vs Perceiving

16 Jan Judging Vs Perceiving

In November and December we looked at three of the Myers Briggs dichotomies.  Now let’s look at the final of the four – Judging and perceiving.  Again, please don’t get hung up by the words.  The titles are unfortunately a bit confusing and old fashioned as judging is more than evaluation and perceiving is not about looking at things.

They are about how we approach life: in a structured way (Judging) or an open, flexible way (Perceiving).

Judgers:

• Approach life in a structured way, creating plans and organising their world to achieve their goals and desired results in a predictable way.
• They get their sense of control by taking charge of their environment and making choices early.
• They are self-disciplined and decisive, and seek closure in decisions. When they ask for things they are specific and expect others to do as they say. They enjoy being experts.
• At work, they decide quickly and clearly and work to get the job done.
• Perceivers may see them as rigid and opinionated.

Perceivers:

• Perceive structure as being more limiting than enabling. They prefer to keep their choices open so they can cope with many problems that the know life will put in their way.
• They get their sense of control by keeping their options open and making choices only when they are necessary.
• They are generally curious and like to expand their knowledge, which they will freely acknowledge as being incomplete. They are tolerant of other people’s differences and will adapt to fit into whatever the situation requires.
• At work, they tend to avoid or put off decisions and like most the exploration of problems and situations.
• Judgers may see them as aimless drifters.

So how can we work with our opposites?

With Judgers:

• Present a timetable and stick to it (or provide maximum warning if not).
• Allow time to them to prepare.
• Show your achievements and results.
• Allow closure on consensus items, document those areas that require more work or discussion.
• Itemise achievements and decisions reached so far.
• Acknowledge the need for closure and short time schedules.

With Perceivers:

• Allow time for things to flow, not necessarily following your calendar.
• Bring in new ideas and possibilities.
• Acknowledge the time for creativity.
• Encourage autonomy and personal freedom.
• Realise changes in direction are not necessarily impulsiveness.

When we understand how we approach our lives, and understand that others may approach their lives differently; then it becomes easier to work together and compromise if necessary.