Jack: The following story comes from personality expert Mary Starks. Her survey-of-choice is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Although Four Windows is a direct derivative of MBTI, the descriptors differ greatly.

In the following article, Mary uses the terms SF and NT. To clarify this for users of Four Windows, here is a barebones description of SF and NT:

In Myers-Briggs, SF stands for people who are Sensatory and Feeling. This equates in Four Windows to First Color Gold or Orange - both of whom have Blue as a second Color. Think of SFs as "practical sensitives."

In Myers-Briggs, NT stands for people who are Intuitive and Thinking. This equates to First Color Green in Four Windows. Think of NTs as "abstract thinkers."

From Mary Starks:

In an SF workplace, how can an NT best navigate?

When I started my job almost one year ago, it was a perfect marriage. It had all the components I was looking for and more.

Inevitably however, like all relationships - as new information emerges - expectations and roles need to be renegotiated.

Thanks to a foundation in personality type knowledge, I am able to avoid common pitfalls that many succumb to. I am an NT (Green as they get.) Within a few months, I knew I was out of place. I realized I was working among SFs, so yesterday I incarcerated myself in the "SF room".

This difference in temperament,  or what I like to call "heart of type," or the "chemistry factor," was causing genuine distress that spilled over into my personal life. I needed a strategy and fast.

If you are an NT in an SF world, here are three action steps that will lift the fog bring you what you need and want - and if you do your homework right - get your desires served on a silver platter. 

1- Set the stage for SFs to voice their concerns. SFs tend to avoid conflict. Avoiding conflict, however, leads to an unpleasant work environment and lost productivity as it robs you (an NT) of energy that you normally would spend achieving your objectives. So set the stage for SFsto voice their concerns. Because speaking their mind doesn't come naturally to SFs, you can establish an environment of trust and safety that will enable them to give you the information you need and deserve.

          Watch your tone. Ensure it is at a normal level and the words you choose are free of judgments.

          Make observations like you were reporting an accident. For example, "Sally, you usually brief me about the meeting and you haven't today." A simple observation free of judgment invites a wealth of information. Be aware of their conflict triggers. Values they have toward themselves or others are hot buttons.

2- Stay away from being a runaway train that many NTs are tempted to be. It is very important not to overwhelm SFs with on overload of "stunning insights or excellent visionary strategy"; neither should you keep important information to yourself . Instead, step back and develop key ideas carefully so you can sell them. SFs want to know 1- How it is practical 2- How it can impact people for the better, and 3- what can be done now to meet the future goals.

Here are 2 guidelines for selling to SFs.

          1- Find another N (Green or Blue) to present your idea. They will run with it and, as they have success, you thereby have evidence to help build your case. SFs want to know that it will work. Trusting a "gut feeling" or "instinctual drive" is unknown, scary waters for SFs. Give them some evidence to demonstrate effectiveness.

          2. Be succinct. The fewer words the better. Stay off of tangents and stick to the topic at hand. Even if you know you are right, refrain from going full-steam ahead. Develop your idea, cite examples, be factual, and build a case first. Pepper your comments with honest empathy and people -centered statements. Be sensitive to people's feelings. Ask yourself what is the most diplomatic way to proceed.

3- Welcome friendly socializing.

You might think it's a given to be nice, to spend time socializing. But it's especially important when persuading and working with SFs. Get comfortable asking how the family is, and joining in on water cooler conversation. Emitting a personal and supportive glow will warm the atmosphere around you and at least put you on their radar.

Good luck and happy travels in the SF world. It takes courage to step outside of yourself, and congratulations for reading this. It means you are on your way to better relations at work and at home.