Convergent or Divergent?
Work. Play. Both are important dimensions of life (and if you make optimal career choices, they can become flip sides of the same coin), but all of us tend to emphasize one of them to the relative expense of the other. In a nutshell, that's what this dimension is all about.
Some of us are Convergent types: structured, organized, planful, methodical, systematic, goal-minded, task-oriented. The emphasis of these people is on efficiency and results: in terms of a cross-country trip, their goal is to get to the destination as quickly as possible. "Have a plan and work your plan" is their motto.
Others of us are Divergent types: flexible, adaptable, spontaneous, emergent, fun-loving, playful, process-oriented. For these folks, the emphasis is on enjoyment and richness of experience: on a cross-country trip, their goal would be to enjoy the journey (probably taking the scenic route, not the interstate). "Don't fence me in" is their motto.
Here are some ways these two types of people tend to differ.
 | What is your natural work style? Convergent types work first, play later (if at all). They are usually early starters who like to utilize steady work habits, chart milestones, and respect deadlines (sometimes viewing them too rigidly for their own good). Divergent types mix work and play (sometimes putting play first). They often utilize "feast or famine" work habits, may plunge right into a task and then let it slide for awhile, and often "burn the midnight oil" to finish just on time (sometimes viewing deadlines too flexibly for their own good). Think of the parable of the tortoise and the hare: the "slow and steady" style is the Convergent, the "fits and starts" style is the Divergent. |
| What is your natural communication style? Convergent types sound very sure and certain (probably more so than they really are) and use lots of "closure" words: yes, no, must, should, will, won't. Divergent types sound much less certain (probably less so than they really are) and use lots of "open-ended" words: maybe, could, might, possibly, what if, how about. Convergent types are quick to come to a conclusion; Divergent types like to keep options open and to make sure there's always a back door. |
| What are your typical responses to structure? If your efficiency increases as the amount of structure in your work environment goes up, you're a Convergent type; your danger is that of excessive rigidity, inflexibility, and needless perfectionism. If your efficiency increases as the amount of structure in your work environment goes down, you're a Divergent type; your danger is that of procrastinating, drifting, and striking others (rightly or wrongly) as irresponsible or disorganized. |
| How serious-minded are you? As a general rule, Convergent types (though they can have fun and can have a sense of humor at times) take life seriously and present themselves as serious-minded, are achievement-minded, and are usually attentive to image management ("cleanliness is next to godliness"). Divergent types (though they can have an inward core of seriousness) like to season life with a healthy dose of humor, focus more on "being" than "doing", and may underattend to image management ("cleanliness is next to impossible"). |
Got yourself figured out? If you need an additional hint, ponder your gut response to the following phrase: Day Planner. If you thought "wonderful boon to society", you're probably Convergent. If you thought "makes me want to spit up", you're Divergent. (One retail outlet I know sells, amidst the coloring books and activity books designed for preschoolers, a precious little volume entitled My First Day Planner. I ask you -- what do toddlers have to plan? "Tantrum, 1:00 to 3:00; throw food off high chair, 3:00 to 5:00.")
Professional assessment tools are available through Business Development Group if you want a formal evaluation of where you fall on this or the other dimensions explained here. But many people can make a reasonable guess about whether they are more Convergent or more Divergent, even if they fall close to the middle of this dimension. Which are you?
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