instructor Hood's Key Ideas from The Cactus and Snowflake at Work
by Devora Zack

1. Would you prefer to get through your daily to-do list or to make someone else’s day?
2. If you know you’ll never see a person again, would you care whether they liked you, or would you still strive to have a good encounter?
3. Do you work better with direct, informed people or those you connect with?
4. Are you direct or diplomatic?
5. Do you place greater value on your intellect and skills or on your empathy?
6. Do you lead with your head or with your heart?
7. Do you believe teams that follow rules and procedures or teams that feel safe and valued work more effectively?

8.Do leaders demonstrate ability or caring?

9.Would you contribute directly to your firm’s profits or through people? 

10.Under pressure, should leadership emphasize attention and firmness or caring and consideration?

11.Do you rely more on reason or compassion?

12.Do you give bad news plainly, or do you try to ease bad news to lighten its impact?

13.Would you describe yourself as more analytical or appreciative?

14.Do you tend to base your decisions on impartiality, logic and fairness or on kindness and feeling?

15.Which do you value more: the plain truth and objectivity or peace and belonging?

“Snowflakes proficient at leveraging a range of behaviors are flexible snowflakes; they do not spontaneously transform into Cacti. And vice versa.”

“Focus your attention on fine-tuning yourself rather than futilely attempting to fix others.”

“When people radiate positive reinforcement, this nearly always correlates with craving it themselves.”

“There is no single way to administer feedback. Finding a style that enables the receiver to hear and process what you have to say is vital to a successful conversation.”

“The shadow facet of our personality is the hidden part of ourselves with which we do not consciously identify.”