Flexible-minded

Flexible-minded

Quick definition

Open to change and willing to critique established power structures.

Average user score

61

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Description

Flexible-minded people are open to change: in the world as well as within themselves. Because they're not governed by a sense of conformity to traditional ways, they're more willing than most to examine and critique established institutions and power structures.

They have vivid imaginations, which when balanced with their rationality, allows them to envision new and better solutions to the world’s problems.

About this trait

Distribution of user scores

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Pattern Components

In romantic relationships, these people do not follow traditional pathways. They are mindful of the the best path for themselves and for their partners given the specifics of who they are and what they need.

They may find imposed cultural constructs like marriage challenging to accept and certainly don’t take for granted that there is one right way to have a relationship. They're well-matched with others who score high in Values-exploration and may want to avoid those who score low, as the attachment to established systems may stifle them. However, with high scores in Fantasy, these people have a great capacity for romance and excitement in relationships.

Strengths

High scorers benefit both from wise perspective and vast creativity. They are not tied to conventional ways of operating in the workplace and are open to new methods and practices. These people have the ability to recognize their own biases and prevent them from getting in the way of achieving common goals at work. They are also able recognize all sides of a given issue, taking all options into account before deciding on a course of action.

Flexible minded people are creative thinkers and tend to see opportunities where others do not. They work best in environments which give them the space to experiment and make mistakes.

Weaknesses

With a need for flexibility in their work, high scorers would likely not be operating at capacity or satisfied in a job that is fixed around an established and immovable system.

As an employee, these people are likely thought of as challenging as they don’t accept authority for authority’s sake and are not likely to follow orders simply because they are given. They question everything based on an intrinsic value system rather than a prescribed one. They reassess and reexamine systems constantly, valuing fluidity and accuracy over tradition. This can be a strength in its own right, but may present itself as a challenge when a certain degree of conformity to authority is required.

Leadership

Flexible-minded people are generally trusted as leaders as people value their firm judgement and will naturally want to follow them. They don't have to use dominant influence styles as they attract natural allegiance.

Healthy Adaptations

  • Willing to challenge their own thinking when presented with compelling arguments or new perspectives,
  • Genuinely open to examining and critiquing social, political and religious values
  • Making decisions based on evidence and logic rather than popular opinion or emotion

Unhealthy Adaptations

  • Becoming overwhelmed by a constant drive to examine, re-examine and assess the systems around them
  • Struggling to relax in systems that have already been established
  • Demanding unrealistic ideals from the world

Caution

At times these people risk being seen as contrarian—having a constant impulse to point out the faulty thinking or biases of other people. It's important to remember to allow ourselves to be without thought and to enjoy and perceive what’s in front of us without elaboration, interpretation, or exaggeration.

They can create harmony when they find ways to live in peace, in their ideal world as well as in the real world. That doesn’t mean compromising on the things they really believe in but instead, being okay playing someone else’s game so long as they can maintain your own balance within it.