Listen To Your Intuition

Listen To Your Intuition
Balance leads to strength
May 1994

All too often, I find myself talking to people who are discouraged by the complexity of new software products. They assumed that they would be able to learn how to adequately operate their new purchase. Their biggest mistake: they believed the hype on the back of the package.

Gone are the days when our favorite spreadsheet had four dozen menu choices and two hundred mathematical functions. We'll never again see a word processor that has only four dozen function key options. And, I'll miss my first database management program with it's paultry hundred or so programming commands.

Most of today's really hot software titles are designed for a Graphical User Interface (GUI), and most use the Windows operating environment. Now, instead of writing our most-often used commands on crib notes that we stashed under our keyboards, we have be able to use menus, mouse clicks, or hot keys. But which one is best? Remember, only one is the most efficient. Is it the printer icon on the toolbar? Is it the menu: File | Print? Is it the hot key: ?

We're now facing software that requires intuaction. Software forces us to use our intuition to evaluate the multiple options and select the best option under the circumstances. This is fine, let's use our intuition. Management and personal improvement gurus have told us for two decades to use the traditionally feminine intuitive side of our personalities. Be an "androgynous manager" was one of the mantras I recall from the early-80's.

But, Carl Jung and later Isabel Briggs Myers scientifically demonstrated that not all of the population prefers to gather information intuitively. People who have a preference for intuition, are very comfortable with ideas, concepts, and relationships. In fact, that's how they learn.

"Well, the other menu options had a similar command pattern to this menu option...the I'll bet I can guess how the operation will come out."

This is how an intuitive learner tackles new software. The good news is that most computer program designers are also intuitive learners...if you're one too, you're probably finding new software fun and easy to learn.

Here's the catch. Most of the population gathers information, learns, in a sensate way -- that is, through a constant checking of facts and reality-based evaluation. Sensate learners feel more comfortable if they understand what the software product is expected to do, and how to accomplish the task at hand. If you're a sensate learner, you probably expect the menu commands to be ordered in a logical, applicable sequence. The like-function commands should be grouped together for easy use.

Ah hah! Intuitive programmers look for creative and innovative ways to make software easy to use (but remember, easy for an intuitive means potentially difficult for a sensate).

I'm not suggesting that we become converts to Jungian psychology, and I'm not suggesting that we blame ourselves for not being able to learn new software.

I am suggesting that we recognize that new software titles have thousands of more functions and commands that versions that were released just 5 years ago, and that it may be unreasonable for us to expect to be able to use the new software product that we just bought without an investment of time and energy.

If you're a sensate learner, read the manual and use your resources to locate training, it's important to you to learn the proper software functions so you may apply them as needed.

If you're an inutitive learner, try the menus and look for a list of the hot keys in the manual. See which ones have similar functionality, and look for option that most suits you. If you need specific advice, read the manual or seek assistance.

You didn't get to where you are in business without at least a little elbow grease. Rub a little onto that new software you just got. Call me and let me know how you're doing.

If you are interested in learning more about personality types and how you can improve yourself and your interactions with others, I suggest Gifts Differing by Isabel Briggs Myers, and Type Talk and Type Talk At Work by Otto Kroeger and Janet Theusen.

David Stephen Murphy is President and CEO of Damar Group, Ltd. which presents computer training classes, publishes computer learning guides, and helps organizations do business on the Internet. The website is http://dgl.com, and Mr. Murphy may be reached at dave@dgl.com or 410.567.5366.

updated November 2, 1996
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