Mindset On The Storm

Mindset On The Storm

Or how to deal with fear in difficult situations

I recently flew on a plane through Europe, from Malaga to Warsaw. The weather went crazy that day, and the flight was delayed due to a storm. It started like in Hitchcock’s movie: “A good film should start with an earthquake and be followed by rising tension.” Only this time it was not an earthquake but the take-off of an aeroplane, which seemed about to be blown off its flight path. I firmly grasped the passenger seat before me to survive the takeoff.

Spain has not seen such rainfall for 160 years. In Malaga, the biggest problem was the wind – 50 accidents were reported (Wyborcza Newspaper). Half an hour after our take-off, the airport was closed, and flights were redirected to Sevilla. The remainder of our flight did not look good either due to the raging cyclone Zacharias.

Many people could not bear the stress during this journey, and some could not keep their food down.

It is good to have context experience

Many years ago, I was afraid of my first flight – I was working on getting rid of this phobia using the NLP method. Effective treatment of phobias is also possible through frequent exposure to the stressor (Myers). The more often you fly, the less you stress. Also, I’ve had some previous, though not as intense, experiences with turbulences.

Measuring stress with 2 Garmin Venu models revealed a “low stress” result for me (but stress anyway), and a “high stress” result for my travel companion, Ania. Ania has less experience with flights than me.

During this flight, I began to wonder why some of us handle extreme situations better than others. It is about the level of anxiety and coping with it. I began to take notice of my thoughts and pay attention to what Ania was saying.

We all create mental strategies

In the past, I used to listen to what the crew said to each other and how they reacted – I tried to catch signs of normality, but I ended up catching disturbing signs.

I found a similar strategy with Ania: “I listen to what the flight attendants say and how they behave.”, “Why did she switch on this signal? “Why did the lights go out?” In a nutshell, Ania’s mental strategy in that situation was to focus on and look for elements that were inconsistent with what the situation should look like.

What strategies have I built during that time to maintain relative mental balance:

• I started repeating, in my mind, that the only really dangerous moments during air travel are the encounters with Earth, i.e. the take-off and landing. The mantra started to work when we were already high in the clouds.

• Then I tried to look at the situation from a broad perspective: I imagined the Earth and all the planes in the air at that moment – they wouldn’t fall like that. I also guessed that the thoughts occupying the pilot’s mind were completely different from the thoughts of the terrified passengers on his plane. I don’t know how to fly an aeroplane, but I imagined that the pilot’s thoughts were something like: “There’s a strong wind, so I need to position the plane slightly from leeward.” The global view of the situation helped.

• Then I began to notice all the flight attendants bustling and cleaning up after the passengers in torsions. I began to feel sorry for them and admire them – how important, responsible, and difficult their job was. I and my travel companion met the eyes of one of them – he said: “Difficult flight!” By the way, appropriate eye contact with another person can bring us into a state of balance (Porges – Polyvagal Theory). Maintaining balance through eye contact can be trained – it is the basis of “Relational Presence – being mindful during public speaking” workshops. A skill that helps in public speaking turned out to be also helpful in that highly stressful situation.

• Finally, almost completely calm, I started filling out Remainder on my phone with the tasks that I have to do in the near future after landing in Poland.

Mental toughness is a set of mental strategies 

As a child, I was an extremely anxious boy, and at one point, I was even diagnosed with vegetative neurosis. 

The conclusion is that mental toughness is not a personality trait but a set of mental strategies for returning to mental balance in stressful situations – it is a matter of mindset and flexibility.

On this occasion, I am reminded of the results of the research on the ways of thinking of healthy octogenarians. It was conducted many years ago by Jaap Hollander, the creator of MindSonar, along with Robert Dilts. Do you know what thought patterns healthy old people had? A) Matching (looking at what is good and correct, in other words, looking at the bright side of the situation). B) Focusing on the future (they have plans for the future and know that they have to work hard for it). C) Focusing on people (people are everywhere in their thinking) (Hollander, Dilts).

Now, let’s take a look at the 4-point strategy I employed to deal with a stressful situation on a flight and find similarities with the mindset of healthy octogenarians. I see common features.

A trivial statement comes to my mind: The two risky moments in life are birth and death – like the take-off and landing of an aeroplane. And between them, there is an empty space that we can fill, either with fear or with striving for mental balance. It may be a cliche, but somehow it is liberating.

Recruit, Retain, Retrain

In today’s dynamic work environment, the focus extends beyond mere recruitment logistics. It’s about securing the right talent at the right time, equipped with the requisite skills. 

However, there’s an additional layer: the imperative to streamline costs and embrace diversity. One solution lies in acknowledging what often escapes our notice—our thought processes. Our thinking patterns intricately shape our behavior and responses to specific roles. Understanding how we think, along with our values, forms the linchpin for aligning expectations with the purpose of a role. 

Furthermore, fostering an environment that encourages both autonomy and responsibility propels organizational advancement. How can we embark on this journey? By delving into the realm of measuring thinking styles. MindSonar, a tool that goes beyond surface-level personality assessments, becomes instrumental in identifying distinct thinking styles and values within any given scenario. MindSonar can play a role in various stages of the employee lifecycle—recruitment, retention, and retraining. 

Here’s how:

Recruitment

Identifying Suitable Candidates:

•  Use MindSonar assessments during the recruitment process to identify candidates whose thinking styles align with the requirements of the job. This can help you find individuals who naturally think in ways that are conducive to success in the specific role.

Enhancing the Interview Process:

  • Tailor interview questions based on the MindSonar results. This can provide deeper insights into a candidate’s cognitive preferences and help you assess their fit within the team and organization.
  • Through an articulate understanding of thinking patterns, one can tailor questions to identify strengths and blindspots in the different scenarios a candidate may encounter.

Reducing Turnover:

  • By understanding the thinking styles that thrive in your organization, you can select candidates who are more likely to be satisfied and successful in their roles, reducing the risk of turnover.

Retention

Team Dynamics:

  • Use MindSonar® to understand the thinking styles within your existing teams. This knowledge can be leveraged to build well-rounded teams with diverse cognitive approaches, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

Personalized Development Plans:

  • Tailor professional development plans based on individual thinking styles. This personalized approach can enhance job satisfaction and motivation, contributing to higher employee retention.

Conflict Resolution:

  • MindSonar® results can provide insights into potential sources of conflict within teams. Use this information to address and resolve interpersonal issues, creating a more harmonious work environment.

Retraining

Identifying Learning Preferences:

  • Use MindSonar to identify employees’ preferred learning styles. Tailor training programs to match these preferences, making the learning process more effective and engaging.

Career Development:

  • Understand the thinking styles required for advancement in specific roles. Use MindSonar to guide employees toward training and development opportunities that align with their cognitive strengths and the organization’s needs.

Adapting to Change:

  • During times of organizational change, use MindSonar® to understand how different individuals may respond. This information can guide change management strategies and support employees in adapting to new situations.

If you would like to measure how you or the staff think, contact Ian at 01455241204. Please remember, that while MindSonar provides valuable insights, it should be used as part of a holistic approach to recruitment, retention, and retraining. Combining these insights with your existing tools and methods will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of your employees and potential hires.

Enhancing Team Dynamics with MindSonar®: A Powerful Tool for Understanding Each Other

Effective teamwork is the cornerstone of success in any organisation. Teams that collaborate harmoniously tend to be more productive, innovative, and resilient. However, building and maintaining strong team dynamics can be challenging, especially when team members have diverse backgrounds, communication styles, and mindsets. In fact, you could argue a team is like a collection of different animal styles having a party! To overcome these challenges, many organisations want a more granular measurement that gets to the heart of problems and show the team a new way to communicate and collaborate. Organisations need skilled zoo keepers to do this or they could use a tool called MindSonar. MindSonar helps teams understand each other better and improve their overall performance.

We have been using Mindsonar in the UK for Team development in many organisations because it is adaptive and does what it says. It uncovers what is beneath that we cannot immediately see.

MindSonar is a psychological assessment tool developed by Dutch psychologist Jaap Hollander. It is designed to provide insights into how individuals think and make decisions in various contexts, which is immensely valuable in team settings. MindSonar is built on the principle that every person has a unique thinking profile, shaped by their beliefs, values, and cognitive strategies. By mapping these profiles, MindSonar helps teams understand each member’s perspectives and communication preferences.

Understanding MindSonar’s Approach

At its core, MindSonar assesses an individual’s thinking style based on the Meta Programs theory. Meta Programs are mental filters that influence how we perceive the world and make decisions. They cover areas like motivation, decision-making, social orientation, and communication. MindSonar identifies an individual’s dominant Meta Programs and represents them in a visual profile, allowing teams to gain deep insights into their members’ cognitive preferences.

How MindSonar Enhances Team Understanding

Improved Communication: MindSonar helps teams decode each member’s communication style. For example, it can reveal if someone is more focused on details or prefers a big-picture approach. Understanding these differences enables team members to communicate more effectively and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.

Conflict Resolution: By pinpointing potential areas of conflict, MindSonar allows teams to proactively address and resolve disputes. When team members understand each other’s motivations and triggers, they can navigate disagreements with empathy and find common ground.                     

Enhanced Decision-Making: MindSonar assists teams in making better decisions by considering a broader range of perspectives. Teams can identify which Meta Programs are overrepresented or underrepresented, helping them balance their decision-making processes.

Increased Empathy: Understanding the thinking profiles of team members fosters empathy and respect. Team members are more likely to appreciate each other’s unique strengths and contributions, creating a positive and inclusive team culture.                      

Tailored Leadership: Team leaders can adapt their leadership styles to better suit the needs and preferences of their team members. This leads to more effective leadership and improved team performance.

Implementing MindSonar in Teams

Assessment: Team members complete the MindSonar assessment, which typically consists of a series of questions or scenarios. The results are then analysed to create individual thinking profiles.

Team Workshops: Teams can participate in workshops facilitated by a MindSonar practitioner. These workshops help team members understand their own profiles and those of their colleagues.

Application: Once the team has a clear understanding of their thinking profiles, they can start applying this knowledge to their daily interactions, communication, and decision-making processes.

Ongoing Development: Teams can periodically revisit their MindSonar profiles and reassess their dynamics as they evolve. This ensures that teams remain adaptable and continue to improve their collaboration over time.

 Conclusion

In a world where teamwork is essential for success, tools like MindSonar offer a valuable means of enhancing team dynamics. By helping team members understand each other’s thinking styles, communication preferences, and motivations, MindSonar promotes effective collaboration, reduces conflicts, and ultimately leads to improved team performance. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of psychological insights in team development, MindSonar stands out as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and cohesion among team members. Hire a zoo keeper or use MindSonar

What are Thinking Styles (Meta Programs)?

Definition
Meta Programs are thinking patterns. For instance: Are they focussed on the details or on the big picture? Or: Do they want to achieve things, or do they want to avoid problems? You can recognise people’s meta programs in what they talk about and how they talk about it.

Meta Programs combined with values make up someone’s mindset. Their mindset determines their  behaviour and their emotions. And those, in turn, determine their results.

Synonyms for ‘Meta Program’

  • Meta Programs
  • Thinking patterns
  • Thinking Style Qualities
  • Ways of thinking
  • Mindset elements
  • Cognitive-perceptual preferences

List of Meta Programs measured by MindSonar

Set 1: Proactive versus Reactive
Proactive = a preference for acting quickly and taking the initiative.
Reactive = a preference for waiting, considering, and reflecting.

Set 2: Towards versus Away from
Towards = a focus on achieving goals
Away From = a focus on avoiding problems.

Set 3: Internal Reference versus External Reference
Internal Reference = using one’s own standards in evaluations.
External Reference = using other people’s standards in evaluations.

Set 4: Options versus Procedure
Options = a preference for many different possibilities.
Procedure = a preference for step-by-step planning.

Set 5: General versus Specific
General  = a focus on the broad overview
Specific = a focus on the small details.

Set 6: Matching versus Mismatching
Matching = a focus on what is good and correct.
Mismatching =  a focus on what is bad and incorrect).

Set 7: Internal locus of control versus External locus of control
Internal locus of control = a focus on how someone influences their circumstances)
External locus of control (focus on how someone’s circumstances influence them).

Set 8: Maintenance versus Development versus Change
Maintenance = a preference for things staying the same.
Development = a preference for gradual change.
Change = a preference for fast and radical change.

Set 9: People versus Activity versus Information
People = a focus on people and what moves them
Activities = a focus on activities being done
Information = focus on information; facts and figures.

Set 10: Concept versus Structure versus Use
Concept = a focus on essentials and principles.
Structure = a focus on relationships between elements.
Use = a focus on practical applications.

Set 11: Together versus Proximity versus Solo
Together = a preference for working closely together with shared responsibility.
Proximity = a preference for mutual support with individual responsibility.
Solo = a preference for working alone).

Set 12: Past versus Present versus Future
Past = a focus on past events.
Present = a focus on the “here and now”.
Future = a focus on future events.

Set 13: Visual versus Auditory versus Kinesthetic 
Visual = a focus on images and movies.
Auditory = focus on sounds and words.
Kinesthetic = focus on feelings and movement.

If you want to see examples of these patterns in famous quotes, click here.

How do thinking style, filters, feelings and actions work together?
There is a dynamic relationship between thinking (meta programs and Graves drives), perception, emotion and behaviour.

  • How your mindset influences your perception and vice versa
    Mindset, consisting of thinking styles (Meta programs) plus motivational types (Graves drives), determines perceptual filters; what someone does or does not notice. And it works the other way around too: once in place, these filters tend to strengthen the thinking style and the motivational type they are based on. For example: someone uses the meta program ‘Procedure’. They think in terms of sequences that need to be run in a certain order. So when they look at a desk they will notice a stack of manuals. Manuals are full of the kind of procedural information that they like. If they would have had the meta program ‘Options’ active, they would probably not even have noticed these manuals.

  • How mindset and perception determine your how you feel
    Mindset plus the resulting perceptual filters affect somebody’s mood and emotions and vice versa. For example: Someone is working with a particular household appliance and they are focused on ‘Procedure’. They encounter a problem. They feel frustrated. Then they find the appliance’s manual on the kitchen drawer. They start to feel better: “Ah, there must be a solution somewhere in there!”

  • How your mindset, perception and mood determine your behavior 
    In the same example: The person sees the manual. Because they are focusing on ‘Procedure’, a manual with step-by-step how-to information makes them feel better. So with a sigh of relief they take it off the shelf and start reading (behaviour). They figure out how to solve the problem. Now they feel satisfied. At the same time this emotion reinforces their meta program (Procedure) and their Graves Drives (Blue for ‘doing things as they ought to be done’  and orange for ‘Being successful and winning’).

Meta programs and NLP
Meta Programs originated from NLP (‘Neuro-Linguistic Programming’), a model for studying and transforming subjective experience. NLP was developed from the late seventies of the last century in the USA, by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. For the development of NLP they borrowed concepts from: 

  • Fritz Perls (Gestalt Therapy)
  • Milton H. Erickson (Hypnotherapy)
  • Virginia Satir (Family therapy)
  • Alfred H. Korzybski (Linguistic Philosophy)
  • Vaihinger (Philosophy of ‘As-if’)
  • Miller, Galanter and Pribram (Cybernetics)
  • Gregory Bateson (Human evolution)

Helping a Professional find their Dream Job

Sometimes talented professionals don’t fit in a given corporate culture. A common response is to doubt oneself and try to fit in. Fortunately, this professional did a MindSonar profile.

During the intake he told the MindSonar professional that he had had previous jobs that ‘fitted like a glove’. He felt happy, appreciated and was able to contribute. His last two jobs, however, had not been a great success. He felt his managers didn’t trust him and he was making a lot of mistakes. Overlooking his previous job experiences, he noticed the ‘missing ingredient’: the feeling that there was a safety net while learning.   

In his MindSonar profile he focused on a previous job when he had a 100% ‘safety net experience’. He discovered that ‘autonomy’ and ‘positive feedback’ were very important criteria for him to feel proud of his professional abilities. MindSonar helped him to understand the unique combination of meta programmes that supported his “100% safety net experience”. A combination, that immediately explained why he didn’t fit in with the present corporate culture: this was not their dominant way of thinking. 

He rewrote his resume, reconsidered his job outlook and found  an authentic way of presenting himself during job interviews (focusing on his uniqueness). He was successful: he found his dream job within a few weeks!

The MindSonar professional running this project was Jascha Kamstra (Netherlands). Look her up in the Registry.    

Supporting a Bank developing an Entrepreneurial Attitude

A large Belgian insurance bank defined a new corporate strategy, in which it was important for their insurance brokers to develop a more entrepreneurial attitude.

A central factor in this development was the relationship between the insurance brokers and the local insurance agents in the community. The company defined a list of key competencies for their brokers related to dealing with these agents.

All brokers were profiled with MindSonar. Surprisingly, after a statistical analysis, it turned out that there was no significant relationship between thinking style, criteria, and key competencies on the one hand and sales volume on the other hand. Further analysis revealed that this had to do with the targets that were being set. Because targets were set at a relatively low level, their MindSonar profile did not make a lot of difference. It did not matter much how brokers thought or what they found important. The volume of sales was determined mostly by demand from the local insurance agents and the efforts of the brokers seemed to have little to do with it.

This finding led the company to change the system of setting targets. After targets were adjusted, thinking style did make a difference. A training program was developed in which brokers were trained in those competencies that their MindSonar profile showed them to be lacking in.

For this project the company won a prestigious training award.

The MindSonar professional running the project was Chris Minne (Belgium). Look him up in the Registry.