cyberspace Archives - Lindee Brauer

PsychoGeometrics and The Rule Book

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Each of the communication style acts differently when confronted with “The Rule Book.”

Boxes appreciate The Rule Book; require, and take refuge in abiding by the guidelines. They can quote The Rule Book to you: “According to section 4.65 of The Rule Book, all employees are required to wear a suit and tie on Wednesdays and days ending with the number 5.”

Circles appreciate The Rule Book as well but are more apt to look items up with you—as not to embarrass you with your lack of knowledge. Circles also want to defer to The Rule Book so they don’t seem adversarial: “Well, let’s get out The Rule Book and check on that dress-code rule. It says right here in Chapter 4 that employees are required to wear a suit and tie on Wednesdays and days ending with the number 5. You do what you want but I think we should all follow the guidelines.”

Triangles think The Rule Book applies to others, but not themselves. To Triangles: “Rules were meant to be BROKEN.”

Squiggles, ever making up their own rules as they go-along, are absolutely astounded at the mere mention of The Rule Book: “There’s a Rule Book? No one told me there was a Rule Book. When did we get a Rule Book?”

PsychoGeometrics: the “I’s” Have It

How do you tell the Communication Style of the person you’re chatting with? Listen to the verbal clues:

Boxes say, “I think.”

Circles say, “I feel.”

Squiggles say, “I believe.”

Triangles say, “I know.”

PsychoGeometrics to CyberGeometerics: the Shapes in Space

Box: “Email me”

Circle: “Facebook me”

Triangle: “Leave me a message”

Squiggle: “I’ll call you!”

Differences in communications style are more pronounced in Space—cyberspace, that it. Just as all four shapes interact differently in face-to-face and group interaction, they also relate differently with today’s technology tools and social networks. Think mobile phones, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

The Boxes (squares) prefer writing—they can take their time, elaborate, get the facts right—and have proof! Email is best (with electronic back-up, of course) but if forced, they’ll tolerate (at first) then exploit the Let’s-get-down-to-business, No-hankies-needed approach. Case and point—“Email me.”

Circles are all about Facebook; they share everything—where they went for lunch, the dog’s trip to the vet, Susie got her nose pierced. They post often and comment on others’ post frequently, always offering encouragement. THUMBS UP! They take time to send personal messages…in between working 8 hours at the office, volunteering for School Board, and hauling the kids to soccer practice, band rehearsal, and chess club. They’re often on the go but will take time to write you—on Facebook!

Triangles—always 4 or 5 steps ahead of themselves—prefer the phone. Might as well have that Blue Tooth surgically installed. They’re driven by getting things done—that means getting it off their “to do” list and on to yours. They prefer to talk to your answering machine (they don’t talk back or ask all those pesky questions). And they prefer you leave a message for them. While leading the pack they like to screen their calls and return them on their terms. If they use social media, it’s probably Linkedin. All business; all bottom-line. You know you’re talking to a Triangle when you’re asked to leave a message.

Squiggles—the consummate shifters, morphers, and chameleons of the Shapes is comfortable using any of the communication tools. Left to their own devices, they’ll use all of them but for different purposes and with different people. Tammy’s a Circle—I’ll chat with her on Facebook. Susie’s a Box—I’ll email her. Linda’s a Triangle, I’ll just give her a call. But if the Squiggle is off on one of their interplanetary adventures, they’ll contact you! “When”…is the question.

More on Shapes in Space soon…