Self-Diagnosis 27opposite extreme. Her species had intuitive powers of empathy,
enabling her to read people’s feelings. This polarity between Data
and Troi was illustrated at the beginning of one episode as the two
were playing three-dimensional chess. In the scene, Data questions
one of Deanna’s moves as being illogical, to which she responds
that intuition can be a very powerful tool and should not be un-
derrated. Data looks puzzled by her response. Sure enough, though,
after her next turn, Data concedes matter-of-factly (he has no
emotions) that she will checkmate him in three moves.
Sensing types prefer careers as actuaries, accountants, or “hands-
on” professionals (such as carpenters or mechanics). Intuitives prefer
big-picture work and often become strategists, architects, or cre-
ative writers. Almost two-thirds of the population are sensors, with
the remaining third showing a preference for intuition.
Here are some quotes from sensors and intuitives. See if you
can guess which type the speakers were.“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.. .”
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“Ultimately, speed of innovation is the only weapon we have.”
(Andy Grove, Intel Corporation)
“Just the facts, Ma’am.” (Sgt. Joe Friday, Dragnet television
series character)
“God is in the details.” (Mies van der Rohe, architect)Right. The first two are the intuitives, preferring the big picture;
the second two are sensors, trusting the facts and details.
For investors, the sensing types (observers) prefer methods of
research and valuation that rely on facts and established relation-
ships. Their motto—like a blend of Sergeant Joe Friday and Jerry
Maguire—is “show me the facts!” They don’t like hunches or new
paradigms; they do like what has worked over the years. Their
weakness is often the inability to anticipate change. They are not
likely to buy the dot.com stocks, because these stocks defy tradi-04 ware 27 1/19/01, 1:02 PM