Out of the Box Thinking

The training department of a local organization received a shipment of two metal storage shelves. The storage shelves are unassembled. Two trainers are assigned the job duty to assemble the shelves.
Trainer #1 looks in the box for the manual and follows the assembly diagram instructions and has no leftover parts.
Trainer #2 prefers to spread out all the parts on the floor and assemble without the instructions but has a few parts left over.

What preferred mental function (s) is Trainer #1 demonstrating?
What preferred mental function (s) is Trainer #2 demonstrating?

Trainer #1 appears to prefer Extroverted Thinking to assemble the shelves. Extroverted Thinking involves organization, processes for efficiency, applying logic and structure, and using tried and true methods such as policies, procedures, and for this scenario, instruction manuals.

Trainer #2 – ah! this one may be a little less obvious! Is the trainer using Introverted Thinking for decision making- using internal resources to categorize and analyze data, in this case, parts. Introverted Thinking is also the ability to identify inconsistencies, know how things work and problem-solve. These internal processes can then be used in problem solving, analysis, and refining of a product or an idea. This process is evidenced in behaviors like taking things or ideas apart to figure out how they work. In this case, she is building. Is it possible, she is also relying on her information gathering mental function of Intuition to internally “brainstorm” to eventually create her own process for building the shelves?

As a manager, what insight would you obtain from observing and seeing the results of this activity? Are any actions required are your part? If so, what would you do? If not, why?