Linear and non-linear thinking
Developing analytical applications is a creative endeavor.
The process is characterized by fits and starts, dead ends, sparks of brilliance, and moments of eureka. Who would not want that in their daily jobs? It turns out, lots of people would rather never have to do any of that in their daily role. They are linear thinkers. Linear thinkers are everywhere. You may be one of them. I am not. No matter—we can all work together.
Linear thinkers tend to see things in black and white terms. They want concrete and defined dates. They see the rules as being immutable. No gray areas, or very few gray areas for them. Again, no worries, we can all get along, if we are willing to listen to each other and collaborate.
Working with linear thinkers—and you will have to, because they are the majority of people who are successful in business today—is not as hard as it sounds. You simply need to spend much more time setting expectations...