By Guest Blogger Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

Illogical, unorganized, emotional, needy...and that has driven many a results-focused biz person nuts (of both sexes...not all us women are into group hugs and sing-alongs, at the expense of getting something done.)

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn in managing people is that others don't think (or act) the way I do. In personality tests, my profile is "Dominator" and "Field Marshal" - fellow Ds and FMs include Margaret Thatcher and Napoleon (?!). I was somewhat heartened to see Abraham Lincoln on the list, but despite the sainthood people have bestowed on him, he was most definitely un-squishy - a hard-ball politician and president.

Back in my corporate days, I'd tell someone to - in essence - "go take that hill" and he'd end up wandering around cubicle-land, looking lost and unhappy, since I didn't tell him EXACTLY what to do and how (and - sigh - why.) Me, on the other hand - tell me the outcome needed and I'm off. I don't need anything else. I'll call ya if I need air cover.