"Harmony" as a Decision-Maker

First see “How Your Mind Makes Decisions”

Extraverted Feeling (or what we’ve nicknamed Harmony) is the part of us that asks, “Is everyone getting their needs met?” When you make a choice that takes other people’s feelings and needs into consideration, you’re using Harmony. Obviously, conclusions reached can range from the very small to the very large.

Examples:

“I think I’ll eat toaster waffles this morning… oh, wait, Fred said he wanted those. I’ll do eggs, instead.”

“I hate my job, but I know it’s good for my family, so I’ll stay here until I know for sure I can provide for them in another way.”

“For God loved the world so much he gave his only begotten son…”

And so on.

People who use Harmony the most have an almost uncanny ability to understand social dynamics, unwritten social rules, and culture. That makes sense. If you want to make sure everyone’s feelings and needs are being taken into consideration, the best way to do that en masse is to observe etiquette. (One could argue that etiquette is one of the few things to which everyone has given silent consent.)

Harmony people are driven to create, well, harmony. They determine the value of information you give them based upon the emotional impact it will have on other people. If it works everyone into frenzy, it’s probably not going to land too well with them.

At best, they’re the quintessential “hostesses” of the world. They’re warm, inviting, and are happiest when they and their loved ones are in a big, squishy “cuddle puddle.” Think Oprah – she invites everyone to benefit from her hospitality, and she’s created a rabid fan base doing so.

On the flip side, they’re also fiercely protective of others, and can turn into Kyle’s mom from South Park when loved ones are threatened – lions and lionesses you wouldn’t want to mess with.

At worst, they’re emotionally volatile and controlling. They don’t know how to create harmony, but they’re still driven to do so. Oftentimes this is seen as trying to control other people in order to make them get along. Sometimes it’s not even as sophisticated as that. They have an idea in their head what’s ‘best for everyone’ and so that’s how it has to be.

In order to make the best decisions, Harmony people should remember two things. First, harmony isn’t about everyone pretending to get along, it’s about everyone getting their needs met. Controlling others may get the surface result you’re looking for, but you will be sacrificing happiness merely to avoid conflict. Sometimes conflict is what’s needed to ultimately reach true harmony. Some shit just has to rise to the surface before it can be skimmed.

Second, you’re part of “everyone” when considering needs. Sometimes taking a back seat for others is a valued gift, but if you do it at the expense of your needs you can only pretend for so long that everything’s okay. Your needs WILL surface, usually with a vengeance. Then everyone suffers. Attend to your needs concurrently with others, and you will actually be creating ‘harmony’.

Harmony people tend to have a blind spot in Accuracy.