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Styles of Thinking: Strategies for Asking Questions, Making Decisions, and Solving Problems
Defines five dominant styles of thinking--Synthesist, Idealist, Pragmatic, Analyst, and Realist--and delineates strategies for solving problems more effectively
202 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2014
It's a really nice book which opened my mind, and taught me new things about our styles of thinking, but this book is concentrating more on business, managers etc.
It would be better if it shows examples of normal people! People who you meet daily as student, employee or a manager, the book explains everything in a good way but it's brief and dry!
Anyway this book contain valuable new basic information about thinking and it's a good book.
It would be better if it shows examples of normal people! People who you meet daily as student, employee or a manager, the book explains everything in a good way but it's brief and dry!
Anyway this book contain valuable new basic information about thinking and it's a good book.
October 16, 2024
Was gifted this book by a client who recommended I read only the introduction and take the quiz before reading the rest. Really glad I did it that way. Learned that I’m an Idealist-Pragmatist with plenty going for me and plenty to work on. :)
May 11, 2011
It was a very useful.It helped me to understand how others think and educated me about other perspectives of thinking.
August 31, 2019
Before I read this book, I didn't even realize that my style of thinking changed over this past decade: prior to medical practice, I was an assured Analyst. Part of the reason why I had been so averse to medicine was its unpredictable and complex nature. I had taken refuge in the cleanliness of physical concepts and of the exactitude of science. There was always one solution to one problem, and all I had to do was get there.
I didn't want to accept it, but medical practice upended my world. From an assured Analyst, I had to evolve. I was never going to be the doctor with the "bleeding heart," but I had to make decisions faster and under circumstances where the data was incomplete and apocryphal. I had to make the best decision given the rapidly changing circumstances of the ER. After taking this exam recently, I realized that I also took advantage out of the Pragmatist and Realist styles of thinking. I definitely think my duties in the ER were heavily involved in this transformation: as much as I wanted to provide the "one best way" of care based on logic and data, a lot of patients couldn't afford the best, so I had to be realistic with my prescriptions. Further, some patients would come in moribund, and I had to act fast and make do with incomplete information. This is where the Pragmatist in me grew: I had to take advantage of makeshift endotracheal tubes and high-flow oxygen in the absence of financial capacity or willingness to perform the necessary procedures.
My Idealist side, on the other hand, had to suffer because of my pursuit of quick, analytical, and decisive action. This is probably the reason why I read self-help books: I want to hold myself back from becoming a complete asshole, which is what I tend to be in times of high stress and little sleep. I have never been fond of conflict in the first place: my Synthetic side has never really been developed, although I have learned to hold two dissimilar concepts within my head and let them percolate there.
This book provided me with insight regarding my strengths and weaknesses, and is a wonderful companion to the Keirsey interpretation of the MBTI. Many people will disagree, however, but I've always relished understanding myself more, because it will also eventually help me to understand others.
From an Analyst, I'm now an Analyst-Realist, with Pragmatist tendencies. Medical practice really can change people.
I didn't want to accept it, but medical practice upended my world. From an assured Analyst, I had to evolve. I was never going to be the doctor with the "bleeding heart," but I had to make decisions faster and under circumstances where the data was incomplete and apocryphal. I had to make the best decision given the rapidly changing circumstances of the ER. After taking this exam recently, I realized that I also took advantage out of the Pragmatist and Realist styles of thinking. I definitely think my duties in the ER were heavily involved in this transformation: as much as I wanted to provide the "one best way" of care based on logic and data, a lot of patients couldn't afford the best, so I had to be realistic with my prescriptions. Further, some patients would come in moribund, and I had to act fast and make do with incomplete information. This is where the Pragmatist in me grew: I had to take advantage of makeshift endotracheal tubes and high-flow oxygen in the absence of financial capacity or willingness to perform the necessary procedures.
My Idealist side, on the other hand, had to suffer because of my pursuit of quick, analytical, and decisive action. This is probably the reason why I read self-help books: I want to hold myself back from becoming a complete asshole, which is what I tend to be in times of high stress and little sleep. I have never been fond of conflict in the first place: my Synthetic side has never really been developed, although I have learned to hold two dissimilar concepts within my head and let them percolate there.
This book provided me with insight regarding my strengths and weaknesses, and is a wonderful companion to the Keirsey interpretation of the MBTI. Many people will disagree, however, but I've always relished understanding myself more, because it will also eventually help me to understand others.
From an Analyst, I'm now an Analyst-Realist, with Pragmatist tendencies. Medical practice really can change people.
February 15, 2022
Why do some people seem to listen better than others? Why can’t someone understand me even though I explained it the same exact way to another person and they understood? I feel like I am communicating, but am I really? Did I really get my point across? Did I receive the answers I needed to make the best decisions?
I had questions, so I decided to look deeper into how people think and most importantly…how I think. This was one of the first books I have read on the topic and am very impressed. The test in the book was fantastic! The results were dead on! I do understand myself better. I have been able to recognize the thinking style of some close associates and am practicing the methods mentioned by the authors. I can already see a positive improvement in our communication and a heightened interest in my proposals. Asking the right questions has helped me to make better decisions. I had loaned this book from the library but have since purchased to keep as a handy reference tool! Very straight forward reading, clear and concise. The reading list at the end of the book is a valuable resource. I look forward to reading other books and articles written by the authors. Very beneficial and powerful information.
I had questions, so I decided to look deeper into how people think and most importantly…how I think. This was one of the first books I have read on the topic and am very impressed. The test in the book was fantastic! The results were dead on! I do understand myself better. I have been able to recognize the thinking style of some close associates and am practicing the methods mentioned by the authors. I can already see a positive improvement in our communication and a heightened interest in my proposals. Asking the right questions has helped me to make better decisions. I had loaned this book from the library but have since purchased to keep as a handy reference tool! Very straight forward reading, clear and concise. The reading list at the end of the book is a valuable resource. I look forward to reading other books and articles written by the authors. Very beneficial and powerful information.
July 19, 2017
Interesting reading on the different styles of thinking. Did the questionnaire and I am an Idealist-Realist.
October 27, 2017
Provides a vocabulary for meaningful discussions and analysis of thinking.
December 10, 2020
Interesting but halfway through becomes very repetitive
October 18, 2021
Very illuminating in understanding my own tendencies, strengths and weaknesses, and in learning how to adapt to others. Needs a second read and some practical application to maximize utility.
February 20, 2024
I would’ve been more into this book if they backed up their statements with specific research. The references to possible studies were super vague
July 5, 2011
Great book! I highly recommend it. Great personal insight and and ideas for working with people with different thinking styles/approaches to solving problems.
December 20, 2012
Great book! Analyzes different types of thought process.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews