Instead of getting into the details, here's what I learned after having the conversation with POTC last night (3 1/2 hours later!):
- POTC's strength lies in his relational skills (ie, 3 1/2 hour conversation)
- My strength lies in my analytical skills (I prepared for our talk with notes, numbering the topics)
- When questions of such importance arise, always approach the one in question to prevent escalating the conflict
- Everybody is fighting for (a) their job and (b) their thought process
- Relationally strong people have a difficult time leading analytically strong people because of a difficulty in discussing plans for the future, career paths, or goals for business growth (they usually have a plan, but they have a hard time expressing it)
- Analytically strong ("quant"; see below) people have a difficult time leading relationally strong people because they don't show their care for others (they usually care, but they have a hard time expressing it)
"Quant" was defined by Tom Evlsin in his new blook, Hackoff.com, in the second episode of the second chapter, as follows:
“I get it,” says Larry, “what’s a ‘quant’, though?”
“The quantitative ones, the ones that like numbers,” John says. “some like people — they want to know all about the management team; some like technology; and some like numbers. Part of a good pitch is telling them apart and putting the right spin on the story for who you’re pitching. Our sales team will help with that; they know these guys pretty well. And you’ll get good at it, too. They ask questions in the areas they’re comfortable with. The quants always ask number questions; the techies always ask technology questions.”
