Convergent Approach

In relationships, if we are convergent individuals, we work within a pre-established methodology and time frame so that we can focus our energy. We typically feel uncomfortable with the unknown (dealing with mystery or paradox) because it feels like a loss of productive energy, to which we are especially sensitive. As Convergent or focused individuals, we seek fewer solution paths but make them each more detailed. We also tend to stick with a proven path, even if it is not currently working. Our attitude is, “It is better to work on a known problem than to redefine the problem - taking unknown variables into consideration - even if it would be more efficient.” We operate from the premise that all available energy should go to producing a result, not re-considering all the options. We believe that narrowing our choices speeds up the result.

Convergent individuals can be identified by how they:

• Honor order and structure the most.
• Act like a time or scorekeeper whenever you do something with them.
• Use a detailed approach when dealing with specifics.
• Don’t like to be interrupted or diverted from a task.
• Use reliance on pre-established methodologies to solve problems.
• Try to limit options up front to the most probable solution path.
•  Desire to plan entire solutions up front, anticipating the decision point and planning for contingencies.
•  Address smaller problems that are easily solvable. They get their thrills by adding other easily solvable problems to build a complex structure.
•  Are unwillingly to move on to the next topic until clarity or a decision is reached.

The most Convergent individuals have the goal of “make something happen everyday”. That is, we seek to accomplish something worthwhile each day. Usually, it’s a step that is part of a larger process. Everyday, at the end of the day, we have better feedback in what worked and didn’t work in the steps we completed. We use this information to constantly inform and update the larger goals we have. In other words, when something felt “right” we figure out the elements that were working and try to use this strategy the next day. In this way, there is always incremental improvement in our ability to implement what is important to us.

Because as Convergent individuals, we focus our goals to single steps, we typically take on the smaller scope of what we’re doing and operate as if that were our entire world. For this reason, Divergent individuals complain that Convergents have tunnel-vision. Usually, it is hard if we are extremely Convergent individuals to switch gears and do something entirely new or different than what we expected. This is because we have an operational focus that is driven by a desire and sense of urgency to make things happen. Without this focus, we wouldn’t feel satisfied and valued by being able to improve the processes we do day-to-day. Finally, Convergent individuals love to measure themselves, so that improvements can be seen over time. This allows them to have fun in implementing things.

Convergent decision-making occurs when our desire to move forward and produce some degree of results is strong in a situation. The more Convergent we are, the more we eliminate options up front and move into action by taking small incremental steps that we can do quickly. The satisfaction we feel as Convergent individuals is a sense of progress and power that comes from taking action, knowing that we can change the direction of a situation in the next step. We tend, therefore, to take projects and break them down into their smallest components and love to reduce the complexity of a project so that each individual has control and responsibility for their own contribution. While some individuals believe that Convergent individuals have a limited tunnel vision because of our demand for structure and conformity, it is actually true that as Convergent individuals, we abhor structure without purpose and usually seek the simplest solution.

The reason we actually get this reputation is that we are sticklers for personal responsibility and we usually wish to make sure that there are no miscommunications or lack of follow through. In this way, many Convergent people are perceived by Divergent people as being insensitive, disrespectful, and not caring about people their feelings and needs. As Convergent individuals, we are more like base hitters that want to get to first base before we have to figure out how to get to second, third or home plate. Like most sailors, we realize that the tack we take in the short run does not reflect the long-term course. The goal of the Convergent individual is to make the best decision based on the amount of resources and time available at the moment.

Convergent decision-making is amplified by Dynamic defense style, Think-first processes, and high pacing. Primary creative energies that would tend to be more Convergent are Warrior, either as primary or secondary energy, which also amplifies Convergent decision-making. All the following people are Convergent.

Examples: (A1) Strictly Convergent (16% of the U.S. population)

In this category, people could have Convergent imprinting on top of their already Convergent nature, which makes them second-guess themselves.

John Glenn – First U.S. astronaut to reach orbit. Also a U.S. Senator
Diane Feinstein – Former Mayor of San Francisco, now U.S. Senator from California
Lynda Carter – Actress, remembered as Wonderwoman.
Bette Davis – Actress, known for movie, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane”
Lauren Bacall – Actress, known for movie, “Casablanca.”
Sean Connery – Actor, known as the first James Bond and in film, “Finding Forrester.”
Raquel Welch – Actress, considered major sex-pot of the 1960’s
C. Everett Koop – Former U.S. Surgeon General
Diane Sawyer – Newscaster
Sharon Stone – Actress, known for movies, “Casino”
Gloria Steinem – one of the principle leaders of the Feminist Movement
H. R. Haldeman – ran the Plumbers Unit during the Nixon administration
Yul Brynner – Actor, known for movies “The Magnificent Seven,” and the “The King and I”
Anthony Hopkins – Actor, known for movies, “Nixon” and “Hearts of Atlantis”
Alfred Hitchcock – Murder mystery novelist
Carrie Fisher – Actress, remembered as the original Princess Leiah in “Star Wars”
Candice Bergen – Actress, well known for her role as “Murphy Brown”
Jennifer Aniston – Actress, played Rachel on the T.V. sitcom, “Friends”
Geena Davis – Actress, known for the movie, “Thelma and Louise”
Clint Eastwood – Actress, most recent movie, “Bloodwork”
Rosie O’Donnell – Actress, Singer, Talk Show Host
John Wayne – Actor, famous for numerous westerns of the 1960’s
Spencer Tracy – Actor, known for the movie, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”

Examples: (A2) Convergent with Divergent Imprinting (6% of the U.S. population) These individuals could also have some Convergent imprinting.

Examples: (A2) Convergent with Divergent Imprinting (6% of the U.S. population)

These individuals could also have some Convergent imprinting.

Tina Turner – Singer, Actress; song, “Private Dancer”; movie “Mad Max”
Madonna – Entertainer, Actress
Ted Koppel – Newscaster, known for T.V. “Nightline”
Dolly Parton – Country Western singer, entertainer, creator of “Dollywood”
Roseanne Barr – Comedian, Actress
Susan Sarandon – Actress, known for movie, “Dead Man Walking”
Diana Ross – Singer, Entertainer
Mr. T. – Actor, known for movie, “Rocky II” and the 1970’s T.V. show “A-Team”
Emma Thompson – Actress, known for movies portraying British themes
Barbara Bush – Wife of former President George Bush Sr., Mother of current President
Cher – Singer/Songwriter, Actress, known for movie, “Moonstruck”
Vanna White – T.V. personality
Rod Sterling – Host and Narrator of the “Twilight Zone”
Billy Graham – Religious leader
Bella Abzug – former NY Representative to Congress, Women’s Rights Leader
Jamie Lee Curtis – Actress, known for the movies, “Trading Places,” “True Lies”
Kirsti Alley – Actress, known for the “Look Whose Talking” movie