triangles 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…

PsychoGeometrics: Surprise!

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Surprise! It’s a party!…

It’s a typical Wednesday morning work day. You’ve been at your 8:00-4:00 job for the last six months but today is different—a company picnic you knew nothing about! You’re getting a three-hour lunch break that includes a short presentation by the CEO and staff, and a catered B-B-Q.

Here’s what happens:

The Boxes begrudgingly show up…then disappear. They slip slowly into the background, sit in the back row, avoid chatting with others. The b-b-q buffet, a pleasant surprise for most, isn’t fully appreciated by the Boxes who have packed their own lunch. They just want the party to be over so they can return to their routine.

The Squiggles?! SHINE! They love surprise parties–anything to disrupt the monotony of another day in the office. They’ll flit from table-to-table, chat with everyone, and, when it’s time to go back to work, will figure out a way to keep the festivities going…into Thursday, Friday, and the weekend.

The Triangles, ever-focused on getting tasks done, will arrive late and leave early—of course checking things off their “to do” lists coming and going. Efficient to the core, the Triangles will use this party time to speak with people about projects. They’ll figure out a way to keep working.

The Circles, only slightly perturbed they weren’t consulted to help plan the party, will play hostess to all those around them. They’ll show smiling faces to the presenters and clap loudly in the appropriate places. They’ll make sure everyone gets seconds, help pack the left-overs, and send everyone off with a hug. They’ll spend the rest of their work day sharing stories about the other people at the picnic.

Surprise parties? Great for Squiggles and Circles. Triangles appreciate them occasionally. Boxes…not so much.

PsychoGeometrics: Sunday Morning Breakfast

Imagine a typical Sunday morning. Breakfast is on the mind of each of the communication styles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, and Squiggles. A simple suggestion of “going out for breakfast” gets different reactions:

Creatures of habit and ritual, Boxes (because “Square” makes some people uneasy), Boxes awake at their normal time and begin their customary routine: bathroom time, grooming time. If you’re going to disrupt the routine, now is the time to interject.

Cue the Triangle and the Squiggle…

Triangles most usually have a Sunday morning agenda–a list of projects longer than the day, and mentally they’ve already finished breakfast and begun the first task. In reality they haven’t eaten their first bite. They’ll have breakfast at home, if they can delegate the task to you, or just get it themselves on their way to Home Depot. Triangles really don’t care whether you go out to eat or stay in—–as long as you do it FAST!

Squiggles, having declared loudly their intent to sleep until noon, suddenly pop awake at 7 and are out of bed with the chickens. Like Triangles, they have a few things on the “to do” list, that probably includes Circles, but be certain the day is about fun and people–and fun. Breakfast down the road is a great idea and the Squiggle is probably the one that suggested it. Unless he/she sleeps til noon.

Circles could be just as apt to issue a breakfast invitation as a Squiggle, and chances are they have a standing Sunday morning play date, and usually with old friends and family. Or a Circle will be the one whompin’ up biscuits for a sleepy crew. And if a Circle takes time to make breakfast, you’ll find the finishing touches–pretty plates, the newspaper and a small trinket–evidence of their affection. Or the Circle might just take a kitchen break and suggest a nearby restaurant. They will take care of those around them, rest assured.

In the meantime, with the Triangle out the door, the Squiggle and the Circle round up the accessories or the kids. The Square is just now catching on, and they have questions: Where are we going? What do they serve? How far away is it? Do we have gas in the car? Did you know gas is $4.00/gallon? When did you want to leave… They haven’t committed to going to breakfast yet.

A typical Sunday morning breakfast with the shapes.