How-to.... tips

How well you are able to recognize, respect, and adjust to other people's way of communicating and "doing things" is a key to success when working with a supervisor, group of people, or class instructor.
For example, if you are a "free thinker" - you like to brainstorm ideas and do what "feels right" - you might find it frustrating working with (or learning from) a "thinker" - a person who focuses on and approaches tasks and ideas based on logic, reasoning, and organized structure. The "thinker" would be equally frustrated working with a person or group that loosely brainstorms ideas all afternoon.

How successfully "opposites" work together largely depends on how willing and well each person is able to adjust to the other's style. Flexibility and compromise are key.
If you find yourself working with a supervisor, co-worker, team player, or instructor who has a style that differs from your own, recognize and respect the other person's individual style, and learn to accommodate the person's style as much as possible.

Consider these "how-to" tips:
How to accommodate a "hands-on" style:
arrive promptly;
pay very close attention to deadlines;
don't procrastinate or made excuses;

be organized;
accept structure;
try to do things in an exact and precise way;
make brief and "to-the-point" comments (don't ramble);
minimize discussion - get to the task;
ask questions in a brief, concise way;
use concrete terms and explanations (not abstract);
do things in sequential and orderly steps;
discuss and show practical applications;
demonstrate to illustrate an idea or point;
allow for "hands-on" project-type tasks.

How to accommodate a "thinker" style:
arrive promptly;
pay very close attention to deadlines;
don't procrastinate or make excuses;
be organized;
use outlines, charts, graphs, and spatial mapping to show information and the relationship of ideas;
provide data;
provide documentation
be open to the use of abstract explanations and terms;
support information with facts (proof);
support views and opinions with logic and evidence;
focus on main ideas, related details, and logical conclusions;
be open to topics that allow for debate;
be patient with quick and sudden moves from idea to idea;
allow for research-type tasks.

How to accommodate an "explorer" style:
be open to new ideas;
be open to change;
allow room for creative innovation;
be open-minded to opinions and views;
be attentive;
show interest;
relate ideas to the real world (use real world examples);
focus on processes and applications rather than facts;
be willing to take a risk or investigate;
be patient with disorganization;
share humor and laugh at jokes;
be patient when jumps from one idea to another;
be willing to discuss ideas;
allow for innovative- and creative-type tasks.

How to accommodate a "free thinker" style:
smile and be friendly;
be willing to chat and visit;
share personal experiences;
participate in discussions and activities;
lean forward - be attentive and show interest;
use gestures and positive body language;
use humor;
be sincere;
use images, pictures, and color;
apply personal meaning to ideas;
show how ideas and details apply to life;
show interest and concern for people;
be patient if describes extensively;
avoid questioning or challenging the person's insight or logic;
be patient with interruptions;
be open to use of metaphoric language and expression;
don't force structure - allow room for flexibility;
allow for interactive-type tasks.