A Few Meta Programs, Part 1
We've selected a few Meta Programs for discussion, the ones we believe it's most useful to understand. As you read them you'll find you can identify your own or those of other people you know well. None of the patterns listed is better than its polar opposite but some are more useful in certain situations. When you're brainstorming, for instance, it's useful to spend time coming up with lots of ideas (the options pattern). But when you need to make progress, this filter may mean you're not as focused as you could be on getting the job done.
'Towards' or 'away from'
Chris is a Sales Manager who's full of energy. People often describe him as 'achievement-oriented', because he's always trying to beat his targets and get a bonus. He's got his eyes set on a holiday cottage in France. Chris joined his present company because he knew it would give him the opportunity to move forward in his career. If he hasn't got a clear goal, he can easily become demotivated.
Bill's in his present job because he didn't like his last company. He gets stuck into each task he's set, whether it's writing a project report or preparing implementation plans, with the intention of getting it done. He aims to complete it by the deadline so that Linda, his boss, doesn't give him a hard time. Having said that there are times when he can be easily distracted. All it takes is a nice juicy issue to arise and he's there ready to play detective.
Understanding towards and away from patterns
Placing emphasis on future goals characterizes the towards thinking style. People with this pattern put lots of energy into getting what they want. They sometimes do this to such an extent that they don't pay sufficient attention to potential pitfalls. They usually have lots of energy but can easily become demotivated if they don't have anything to aim for.
People using an away from pattern avoid or move away from potential problems - they notice what could go wrong. Sometimes they have difficulty prioritizing because they're attracted to dealing with problems and this means they often get side-tracked. They're great to have around when there are issues to resolve and tend to be cautious in their approach.
Communicating with people who have a towards or away from pattern
To influence or build rapport with someone with a towards pattern, use words like get, have, obtain or achieve. Place emphasis on what can be accomplished rather than what might go wrong.
If you want to influence someone demonstrating an away from pattern use words like avoid, overcome, solve or prevent. They're more likely to think you understand them if you talk about potential obstacles or issues. If you're making a request of them, pose it as a problem for them to solve.