The Way We Work

A Practical Approach for Dealing
with People on the Job

By Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
Focus on the Family, $19.99

ISBN 1-56179-407-4

New Way of Working That Works

Review by Rachel Derowitsch

Have you ever asked a coworker a question that needed only a yes or no answer, but got a ten-minute reply that said nothing? Does a committee member shoot down proposals by enumerating the reasons why they won't work? Is your boss reluctant to make decision? If so, then The Way We Work by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is a must-read.

As in any relationship, the key to successful workplace relations is communication and understanding. You must speak the same language as your coworkers and know how they think, especially if they are your polar opposites. The road to harmony on the job begins with this book.

The Way We Work could be retitled The Way We Think. There are "fundamental differences in the way people understand and communicate information," Tobias writes, and those ways are our natural strengths and preferences, our "learning styles." Tobias examines five theories of learning styles, but she devotes the most attention to the research of Dr. Anthony F. Gregorc. His mind-style theory states that we perceive information in either a concrete or abstract way, and we use information in either a sequential or random way. Thus, Gregorc's four learning styles for individuals are concrete-sequential, concrete-random. abstract-sequential, or abstract-random.

Tobias, who holds a master's degree in education/learning styles, stresses that we are not limited to using just one of the four learning styles and therefore cannot be neatly categorized. Nevertheless, you most likely will identify your dominant style (with the help of a short self-test) and the styles of your coworkers, a first step in solving and ultimately avoiding, personality clashes.

"One of the most important reasons for getting to know your own learning style is to make sure you can be at your best as much of the time as possible," Tobias writes. For example, if you are concrete-sequential, you love routine and expect your boss to give specific instructions and a model to follow, something your abstract-random boss will find difficult to do. Knowing your strengths and preferences and those of your coworkers will help you work with your differences and achieve success. And when necessary, the author encourages, you can switch to another learning style in order to be on your coworker's wavelength.

Though Tobias slants her writing to the work place, every theory in this book can--and should--be applied to other relationships, whether in your family, church, or community group. As a former teacher and cop and the mother of twin boys, Tobias weaves in many personal stories to help you do this.

You may be thinking, I've read about personality types in Tim LaHaye's Spirit-Controlled Temperament, and I took a Myers-Briggs test. Why should I read this? Because Tobias covers many new areas. As she states, one learning theory doesn't replace another but adds to your understanding of people. Plus, she presents these theories in a simple, straightforward, and often humorous way. You don't need a psychology degree to understand her. Helpful summary charts and creative use of graphics make this read more like a workbook than a textbook.

The Way We Work will change the way you view your job--and possibly the job itself. Do your coworkers a favor and pass your copy along to the next cubicle.

Rachel Derowitsch is a book editor who lives in Lincoln, NB.