Which is better: control or freedom?

Do outcome-oriented, goal-motivated, academically persistent, on time and in place individuals have a natural advantage in learning and in business? Could there be an advantage because conventional learners’ practices more closely resemble a majority of instructors and leaders practices and approaches? 

Referred to as the “conventional approach,” psychological type research proposes that a natural or hardwired drive toward control and closure gives certain personality types a distinct advantage and shows up in their approach to leadership, project management and learning. The conventional approach acknowledges and rewards those who effectively use checklists, calendars and clocks and rewards come in the form of grades, promotions, span of control and leadership opportunities.

Sound familiar? Here’s the rub… if only this conventional approach is valued, what is the cost to discounting or even penalizing those whose approach is considered “nonconventional?”  Compare and contrast these two types:

1. Conventional learner – highly self-disciplined, i.e., uses checklists, is goal achievement oriented, watches the clock, checks the list, monitors their calendar and speaks in a decided/closed declarative voice.
2. Nonconventional learner – flexible, pressure-prompted, non-directive and adaptive, i.e., strict plans are kept to a minimum, avoid or put off decisions, difficult to settle on one direction or plan and tend to be open-ended and speak in a more interrogative manner filled with alternatives and options.

Do outcome-oriented, goal-motivated, academically persistent, on time and in place “conventional” individuals have a natural advantage in learning and in business? Could there be an advantage because conventional learners’ practices more closely resemble a majority of conventional instructors’ and leaders’ approaches? 

Therefore, could process-oriented, pressure-prompted, nonconventional learners be at higher risk for academic and/or business failure?

Let’s consider the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI)® scale regarding a person’s orientation to the outer world – their preference for Judging or Perceiving. 

• At the core of Judging is the issue of control – control of time, control of space, and control of self. 
• At the core of Perceiving is a sense of freedom – freedom in time, freedom in space, and freedom for self. 

Dr. Meri Beckham examined the unconventionally time-flexible and process-oriented approaches employed by many successful Perceiving learners. Observing this theoretical dimension called Perceiving (P) and its effect on use of time and space helped to increase understanding of an approach different from the conventional ideal.

Beckham described that conventional ideas of success teach people how to maintain control, not to enjoy their freedom, and that the imbalance of control and freedom created inequity. Beckham identified three important changes for leaders, supervisors, and instructors (even parents):

• Resist idealizing the breaking up of work processes and allow work to be done all at once;
• Allow pressure-prompted learners who can do well at the last minute do so, without criticism; and,
• Understand that defining “procrastination,” in all cases, as harmful and stress-producing, is not defensible.

Personality type shows that the Perceiving (unconventional) approach is different than the Judging (conventional) approach, but not better or worse. Perceiving types get their sense of control by keeping their options open and making choices only when they are necessary.  Therefore, conventional types’ methods and expectations in education and business may unintentionally contribute to a sense of frustration for unconventional types who may be judged to be inferior or at higher risk for failure.

Too many unconventional learners (Perceiving voices) are silenced by the conventional learners (Judging voices) ideals. My purpose and hope in leading and coaching leaders is to reinforce the message that nontraditional strategies are also effective and, for nonconventional Perceiving types, they are indispensable.

So which do your think is better: control or freedom?

I welcome your thoughts.

Let’s connect and discuss options for entertaining and educational events to bridge costly gaps.

Note: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and MBTI are registered trademarks of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Trust in the United States and other countries.