Have you ever noticed the world seems to be made up of two kinds of people? I don’t mean hunters and non-hunters, I mean the big picture people and the detail people. Knowing how your mind works and assessing those around you can be a huge asset when going into any meeting, negotiation or even walking into your home at the end of each day.
The best teams have a pairing of these complementary styles, the very definition of a symbiotic relationship, where each person benefits from the gifts of the other. We see this constantly happen in nature, as with ostriches and zebras, pairing up to enhance their deficient senses and avoid predators. The same holds true for humans, we can find in others what we lack ourselves and be stronger and more successful together.
Big picture people tend to be creative, strategic and visionary, but they can also be disorganized, forgetful and messy. They need to see the end game before getting dragged down into details. I’m big picture all the way, but I love to dig into the granular once I can “see” how it’s going to come together. You often find that the CEO in a company is a big picture person.
Details people are conscientious, exacting and empathetic, but can lack perspective. They need to dig into the detail before assembling the big picture. Details people are often in COO or CFO positions, checking the boxes of daily operations and balancing gains and losses, essential skills to have on any great team.
Here are a few traits of Big Picture and Details Thinkers:
Big Picture Thinkers:
- Quickly see patterns in complex problems
- Come up with new ideas and new projects
- Are great at outlining what needs to be done, but exhausted by filling in detail
Details Thinkers:
- Think about things in great detail
- Notice body language and recognize other people’s feelings
- Prefer to edit an existing plan than create a new one
As humans and hunters, we are always seeking balance, whether in the deer population or our own lives. When building teams, I look for others with the traits I am lacking. Nature is a big proponent of symmetry, so the best teams have a balance of each type of thinker, creating a complimentary tribe that hunts together beautifully.
