Emergenetics

Long post ahead!

An opportunity came up to attend an Emergenetics session and I jumped at the chance to attend for FREE. =D

Emergenetics is a combination of characteristics that emerge from your life experiences, plus the genetics with which you were born. Each individual's temperament can be described in terms of 3 Behavioral Attributes and 4 Thinking Attributes.

At the end of this session, I was very surprised at the results of my Thinking Attributes. But after some recollection of past situations, I can say the results pretty much hit the nail on the head.

A quick look at the 4 Thinking Attributes:

Analytical
Clear thinker
Logical problem solver
Enjoys math
Rational
Learns by mental analysis

Structural
Practical thinker
Likes guidelines
Cautious of new ideas
Predictable
Learns by doing

Conceptual
Imaginative
Intuitive about ideas
Visionary
Enjoys the unusual
Learns by experimenting

Social
Intuitive about people
Socially aware
Sympathetic
Empathic
Learns from others

Apparently I am 49% Structural, 30% Conceptual, 16% Social and 5% Analytical.

What it means:

My combination is a Structural/ Conceptual combination which is found in less than 2% of the general population. I like being rare. =D

Structural thinking combines rational thought with concrete details and practical outcomes. Conceptual thinking combines abstract thought with intuition and inspiration. Because you possess both, you can stake a claim in four different types of thought process: rational, intuitive, abstract and concrete.

Structural and Conceptual thinking can be at odds with each other. You have an inner tennis game going on all the time. When the ball is in its court, the Structural part of your brain wants to clean your desk. When the Conceptual part of your brain has the ball, it wants to go fly a kite. Since the Structural and Conceptual thinking attributes are diametrically opposed to each other, your Conceptual brain can come up with great ideas, but your Structural brain will dismiss them just as quickly. However, when you harness both thinking preferences, you are powerful! Your Conceptual preference can create, imagine and look into the future, while your Structural preference can clear away the crazy or weird ideas and implement a plan that works.

Because you have an internal power struggle, it is easy for others to misunderstand you. They may fall in love with your freewheeling Conceptual side, only to discover that you insist on balancing your accounts to the penny. On the other hand, they may feel safe with your methodical side, only to feel you have pulled the rug out from under them when you show up one day with a new tattoo.

People with this profile can encounter great difficulty in choosing a profession. They cannot decide whether they want to be a bookkeeper or a dolphin trainer. While you can excel in any profession, you probably prefer a position that involves translating creative ideas into practical terms. Not many people can write successful grat proposals for artists! You probably do not require data, research and evidence in order to make a decision.

To sum it up:

Your preference for Structural thinking suggest that you are good with practical details, favor tried-and-true methods, and excel at creating clear, workable solutions. On the other hand, your preference for Conceptual thinking implies thought processes that are theoretical, intuitive and unusual. You may surprise people by being quiet and focused, and then showing a glimpse of your whimsical side. You probably base your decisions on a combination of organized concepts and patterns along with sheer inspiration. Others may find some of your Conceptual ideas too far 'out there'; however you can thread in Structural thinking to translate these ideas into terms everyone understands.

There are some inherent challenges in this profile, as well as some unique strengths. Sometimes you have an internal tennis game going on between your two different thinking preferences. When you harness them together, you come up with fresh ideas that are both practical and visionary.

Let's look at the 3 Behavioral Attributes.

My results show that I'm 5% Expressive, 40% Assertive and 5% Flexible.

Being 5% Expressive means you're probably calm, thoughtful and quiet. In general, you probably keep your thoughts to yourself, your facial expressions may be stoic, and you can maintain confidential information easily. You may learn by listening and reflecting. You don't waste words, and you tend to think before you speal. You may be less dependent on others for your own amusement. You generally prefer one-on-one conversations or small gatherings over participating in large groups. In group situations, you hope you wouldn't be singled out. If you must spend prolonged periods of time with people, you may eventually need to retreat to privacy, which you find energizing. Because you are generally reserved, you may be perceived as less emotional (which may or may not be the case). Sometimes you may be so quiet that you may not realize other people cannot readily perceive what you are thinking. When you are working in a team, you are often the calming influence on those around you.

40% Assertive means you're in the 'It Depends' group. When it comes to being in charge, you can go either way. You may step it up and behave in a more telling manner, or step back and let others take the lead. Depending on the situation and your companions, you decide how much energy you want to put into being a genial peacekeeper or a forceful driver.

5% Flexible means you're probably focused, firm and absolute. It's likely you have strong opinions and a defined agenda. You generally are convinced your solution is best, and you may prefer to be in control. You probably enjoy clear-cut situations and you may dislike change. You most likely need time to assess new procedures and ideas. Because you are known for being focused on the direction you deem most appropriate, you may be perceived as stubborn.

To sum it up:

Your level of Expressiveness suggests that you're generally calm and reserved. Your level of Flexibility implies that you're determinedd and do not change your mind easily. There is a lot riding on your Assertiveness, which is in the 'It Depends' range. You probably wait to see what develops before deciding how much energy you invest in being either a peacekeeper or a driver. Sometimes, when you want to avoid conflict, you very much want to get your way, but without doing battle. In these situations, you will be reserved, focused and congenial. You may make your opinions known in a roundabout way, perhaps by asking questions in hopes that others will arrive at your conclusions. On the other hand, when the situation calls for action, you may ramp up. Then you will be composed, focused and forceful. When you are in this mode, you probably accomplish a great deal 'under the radar'. Since you usually have a strong agenda, people may not be too surprised when you bring your Assertiveness up a notce and take charge.

As a leader, you have strong convictions, and you may prefer to get the job done with a minimum amount of discussion. You have a vision that extends far into the future and most likely you expect others to share your enthusiasm for the overall concept or goal. You probably have a clear understanding of the process needed to reach your vision, but you have trouble delegating, because you aren't sure you can trust others to do the job correctly. Sometimes your desire to do things 'by the book' is at odds with your need to be creative and intuitive.

Whew! My hands are tired now. Well, now that I know myself better, I guess I should figure out how to stop antagonizing my bosses. Heh. (Which seems like a tough job!)