Cactus people most often listen to reason, and snowflakes listen to what their hearts tell them. This makes "cacti" logical analysts who express their thoughts clearly and straightforwardly. "Snowflakes", on the contrary, are sensitive, empathetic and diplomatic.
All these character traits also determine how different types make decisions. Common sense is usually important for "cacti", while "snowflakes" rely on their emotions and feelings.
However, the key word here is "usually". It is not necessary to be strictly a "cactus" or a "snowflake", although most people instinctively associate themselves with a certain type. A person can be somewhere in the middle or switch depending on the situation. This is similar to differences in temperament and behavior in society. Perhaps someone is a "snowflake" by nature, but at work for one reason or another prefers to behave like a "cactus". Such a rare ability to change helps to find a common language with everyone.
Devora Zach emphasizes that there is no good or bad type — each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. To succeed at work and find an approach to colleagues — both "cacti" and "snowflakes", it is necessary to use your unique qualities.
They value stability and accuracy. But in these excellent qualities lies one of the main disadvantages of this type. Its brightest representatives consider useless nonsense everything that does not meet their criteria of success.
"Cacti" also clearly separate their private lives and careers. Usually, when they come to work, they prefer to leave personal problems at home.
This type of personality is easily recognized by the vocabulary. "Cactus" often says "I think" instead of "I feel" and builds its goals and motivation around solving problems.
At their best, cacti are ambitious and productive leaders. At worst, they get too hung up on efficiency, ignoring the feelings of others.
Despite the fact that they can be no less workaholics than "cacti", "snowflakes" pay much more attention to harmony and empathy in the team. People of this type strive for a positive atmosphere and are ready to do everything possible to help colleagues come to an understanding.
Snowflakes like to meet and collaborate with new people much more than cacti. They are very "connected" to their emotional side and will say "I feel" rather than "I think".
The brightest representatives of this type are able to playfully cope with any conflict, while maintaining good relations with everyone. However, often "snowflakes" take everything too personally, especially if their feelings do not care much about others.
Logical "cacti" and sensitive "snowflakes" will not be able, and should not agree with each other in everything. These two personality types use different approaches, even when they strive for the same goal. Moreover, trying to look at things the same way is counterproductive. Devora Zach compares this to the effect we get when we tell someone not to do something. Our brain often misses the "not" particle, which only creates new problems.
It is worth trying to find a common language. For example, identify a path to a goal that suits everyone, and then figure out how to use the differences to achieve success. For example, "cactus" is much better able to cope with routine tasks that require concentration and attention. And snowflake will perfectly understand everything related to working with people and product presentation.
Motivation is necessary for productive collaboration. Both personality types can get the same result, but the motivation that will make them succeed will be different.
It is better to explain to cactus and snezhnik why the project is important and what its successful launch will bring from different positions. For Snowflake, you can focus on how the project will help people and improve their lives. "Cacti", on the contrary, need to be told about such aspects as explosive interest from the media or a jump in profits.
Sometimes the tension in the work team is one-sided. This is due to non-existent conflicts. For example, when someone feels that a colleague has treated him unfairly, whereas this colleague himself did not want to offend anyone and does not even suspect that he did something wrong.
Imagine the situation. Two employees are riding in the elevator. One of them looks through the notes for a presentation that he plans to hold later, and then silently exits the elevator on his floor. The other is shocked, because they didn't pay any attention to him, and may think so: "He doesn't even remember my name." Or, "He probably thinks he's better than me." As a result, one of the colleagues got upset, but nothing happened for the second one.
To avoid such situations and get rid of unnecessary stress, it is worth looking at work conflicts from a different angle. They are often based on a simple mismatch of characters, rather than malicious antagonism.
Remember the "golden rule" of communication — to treat others the way we would like to be treated. It's worth redoing it a bit and treating others the way they want to be treated. In the case of "snowflake", this means not to forget about her feelings, in the case of "cactus" — to focus all attention on work and achievable goals.
Devora Zach gives an example of a situation where a colleague returns to work after a vacation. "Snowflake" will want to hear something in style: "We missed you so much! Welcome to work. How are you?" "Cactus", on the contrary, will consider such behavior inappropriate and prefer to be treated as usual on any other day.
"Cacti" and "snowflakes" give feedback in different ways, and do not forget about this either. "Snowflakes" try to smooth out corners and critical moments, which annoys the "cacti" who want to be clearly pointed out to them all the mistakes. And vice versa: the straightforwardness and criticality of "cacti" often hurts "snowflakes".
Therefore, it will be useful to change the style of communication depending on what type of personality you are dealing with. "Snowflakes" should be gently explained their mistakes, and "cacti" should be given clear instructions without unnecessary introductions. This will help a better understanding.
