Those of us with opposite preferences for the Associative and Sequential information-management systems; and, together or separately, those of us on opposite preferences for the Observer communications system, are at high risk for conflict. We use language differently, represent data differently, give whole categories of information different weights of importance. In the same way, there is lesser, but nonetheless, significant potential for misunderstanding when we’re on opposite sides listener, mover, reader, and talker.
We often ignore or minimize valuable information when it comes to us from outside our preference. At the same time, we can overvalue what activates our preferences.
In fact, what we call ‘chemistry’ in interviewing and hiring often results from an activation of our cognitive preferences, and can give us a false read on another’s qualifications.