The Cactus and the Snowflake at Work: How the Logical and Sensitive Can Thrive Side by Side
Devora Zack
Berrett-Koehler Publishers (November 2021)
How to balance contrasting predilections to increase positive impact
To what does the title refer?
Devora Zack focuses on metaphors that juxtapose two dominant predilections (i.e. preferential biases) that are separate but NOT mutually exclusive. Here’s her example: “Thinkers lead with their heads and Feelers lead with their hearts.” With rare exception, the most effective leaders are logical, analytical, and direct as well as sensitive, empathetic, and diplomatic.
Think about the greatest leaders throughout history. Whichever come immediately to your mind, Zack suggests they were no doubt — to varying degrees — logical, analytical, and impartial; based their decisions on reason; valued consistency accuracy, and rationality; and tended to be very direct. They were also — again, to varying degrees — sensitive, appreciative, involved; based their decisions on feeling; valued harmony, kindness, and empathy; and tended to be diplomatic.
It is critically important to keep the phrase “to varying degree” in mind. Also, all the great leaders have non-negotiable values (i.e. are idealistic) but are results-driven (i.e. pragmatic). I have worked with dozens of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies over the years while helping their companies to turbo-charge leadership development programs and I agree with Zack that the best of those CEOs combined (yes, to varying degrees) the dominant characteristics of both the “cactus” and the “snowflake” as personified in this book.
Zack makes brilliant use of several reader-friendly devices that include Cheat Sheets, Dialogue Samples, Hazard Alerts, Pop Quizzes, Real-Life Scenarios, Toolshed Moments, and Worksheets. These devices facilitate, indeed accelerate and enrich interaction with key material. All are correlated within her narrative during which she examines various personality styles. As she explains, “We each come equipped with particular proclivities, influencing our behavior, mental processing, and subjective experiences. Learning about predispositions yields insights into what makes each of us tick, heightens tolerance levels, and builds a platform to expand our comfort zones.”
These are among the passages of special interest ti me, also listed to suggest scope of Zack’s coverage:
o Who Are You? The Cacflake (Cactus & Snowflake Self-Assessment) Instrument (Pages 10-16)
o Toolshed Moment: Busting Stereotypes (22-23)
o The Theory of Relativity (36-37)
o The Rubber Hits the Road: The “Care About You” Collision (38-41)
o The Nonevent (50-51)
o The Rubber Hits the Road: “Sure!” (54-55)
o Beans Up the Nose (64-66)
o Self-Talk (70)
o Worksheet: Leveraging Language (78)
o Hazard Alert : Oversoftening the Blow (84)
o Short Circuiting (88-89)
o The Rubber Hits the Road: Skid Marks )(98-102)
o Worksheet: Memorable Coach (113-114)
o Combining Preferences (126-133)
o Opening the Floor for Q&A (157-159
Note: There are several “Worksheet” exercises for which some completion space is provided in the volume. However, I strongly recommend having a lined notebook near at hand (Mead’s “marble” version is my own preference) so that you can record your own comments, questions, and page references as well as more extensive completion and revision of your responses to the “Worksheets” than the in-volume space allows.
This book should have wide and deep appeal to C-level executives as well as to those who must also provide high-impact leadership at all other levels of the given enterprise. As I read the book, I was again reminded of Don Schlitz’s lyrics for “The Gambler,” a song made famous by Kenny Rogers:
“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done.”
Within and beyond a workplace culture, most people can achieve much greater success (however defined) by developing and coordinating highly developed mental and emotional capabilities. Think of this book as a buffet table filled with an abundance of food that can nourish the acceleration of your personal growth and professional development. Fill your plate with whatever is most appropriate to your own recipe for success. (Zack can help you formulate one.) Commit fully to following the dos and don’ts. Be prepared to make adjustments.
Bet on yourself. If you need assistance, check out your notebook. Re-read key passages in the book that you have highlighted. (My preference is for the optic yellow Sharpie with smear guard.)
Devora Zack suggests that you start with one or two primary objectives. “Base your selection on what jumped out the most from these pages. I understand it can be a bit stressful to integrate new ideas into your wheelhouse. I’ll offer up a quote I reference frequently. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, from Henry Miller:
‘Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.’
I believe in you.”
To which I presume to add, Bon Appétit!