Switchable Decision Making Approach

Switchable Approach: Some like a balance between Convergent and Divergent approaches, letting others dictate which Approach they use, called Switchable. The flexibility comes from having been around both Convergent and Divergent Approaches, understanding both sides, and knowing how to neutralize whatever comes up in themselves and others. Many business and political leaders are Switchable, making it easier for them to meet and understand different people. In one situation, a Switchable person might use a Convergent Approach of trying to make the best decision based on the amount of resources and time available at the moment, working within a pre-established methodology and time-frame to focus energy towards producing a result, eliminating and prioritizing options to promote a sense of progress. While in another situation, a Switchable person might use a Divergent Approach of avoiding time-frames and structures, starting by surveying the situation to determine all the possible options, investigating the most likely options, and involving others who will be affected in the process. Switchable Approach can use not only either extreme but every spot on the continuum. They can argue against any other perspective, even the center. Switchable can be general and specific simultaneously, mixing and matching, throwing others into disarray Working in a team of Convergent and Divergent individuals can be dizzying for Switchables, as they often move to different positions throughout a discussion. Their unpredictability can be frustrating to others. Switchables contribute by seeing what is missing or not being addressed in a situation, but in trying to balance their needs and others’ needs, sometimes they do not see the whole picture, and then later on have to renegotiate.

Identifying Switchable Approach: They are extremely sensitive to the expectations and beliefs of others. Switchables can look Convergent (honoring order and structure), Divergent (honoring chaos and freedom), or they can be anywhere in between. Often they include others in a process even when it’s not necessary in an effort to make sure everyone’s perspective is honored. In a team of more Convergent and more Divergent people, they want to be appreciated for their flexibility and capability in making things happen in a way that serves everyone.

Appreciating a Range of Approaches: Other Approaches often don’t trust Switchables because they believe they’re superficial or not going deep enough with issues, instead of recognizing the range of skills they can contribute. Switchables theoretically appreciate a range of Approaches, but not for every situation, in each moment. Switchables demonstrate both the ability to choose a course, prioritize, take action, and make progress toward a solution, and also the ability to broaden their focus, dramatically change course, and manifest larger possibilities, but only in reaction to others. Often they get frustrated, feeling disempowered and out of control because they always wait to respond rather than initiating. The Switchable’s challenge is to recognize that all Approaches are equally powerful and valid and to trust themselves to determine what unique Approach is best for the problem at hand, instead of mirroring or doing the opposite of their colleagues. This acceptance helps everyone be less polarizing and reactive, allowing the creation of common solutions that are more effective.

Are You A Switchable Decision Maker?

•   See opposite side of what people see – see what’s missing or not being addressed first
•   Can appreciate both decision-making approaches
•   Willingness to see in terms of others views
•   Try to balance our focused, “eliminate as many options upfront” approach with the unfocused, “give ourselves as much time as we need” approach.
•   Can take all points of view and argue against the middle
•   Frustrating to others because they don’t seem to be predictable
•   General and specific and can mix and match which throw others into disarray
•   Switchable people don’t feel they have control – disempowered for the reason they respond rather than initiate
•   React rather than act in conscious ways
•   No place feels like home
•   People around them see them in reaction and don’t feel they have a choice – affects the confidence about others that switchable people make
•   Other decision-making types don’t trust them because they think they’re superficial or not going deep enough with issue
•   Biggest problem with switchable people is that they don’t see the complete problem from all angles (only in reflection of their problem) and can’t see the group problem. More people make you see more reflections.
•   Jumping around – no clear problem.
•   They try to balance their needs and others needs, sometimes not seeing the whole picture. Later on, they have to renegotiate because they didn’t really see the whole picture and what was required. Trying to be fair has you not ask for what you.
•   Extremely sensitive to the expectations and beliefs of others.
•   Include others when it’s not necessary but in an effort to make sure everyone’s perspective is honored.
•   Want to be appreciated for flexibility and capability in making things happen in a way that serves everyone.
•   Like it when decisions are made without a lot of pressure, force or anxiety.
•   Feel a lot of pressure and inner anxiety because of need to attend to the circumstances rather than own needs or process.