One of the fantastic things about interactive style is that it is not determined by DNA.  Our life experiences mold our mental schemas and determine our sensitivities:  emotional, logical, conceptual or tactile.  While this creates a rich and beneficial diversity around us, it sure can be irritating when the family assembles for Thanksgiving.  This year, rather than be annoyed by Cousin Shelly, let’s celebrate the wonderful contributions of varied interactive styles.

You know those family members who are the first to jump up and help with clearing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen and packing up all the leftovers for others?  They are likely the Romantics and their self sacrificing nature leads them to lend a helping hand.  They are the most likely to raise a heartfelt toast at dinner and share wonderful stories about others around the table.  Cheers, Romantics!

Game on.  Whether it is the traditional NFL football game on television or a pickup game in the yard, the Warriors love a good competition.  Their intensity helps to make even a lighthearted game of Catch Phrase more interesting.  And you can often count on the Warrior to bring a great bottle of wine for dinner, too! Kudos, Warriors!

Want to know how to carve that turkey?  Ask an Expert.  Literally.  The family historian and keeper of all knowledge will get every last morsel of meat on the platter.  They also have the family recipe for that wonderful green bean casserole.  When it comes to divvying up the leftovers, no one organizes the servings as fairly as an Expert.  Here’s to you, Expert!

It’s time to start a few new traditions and the Mastermind is just the family member to introduce them.  A new dish, a cool activity, a signature martini…rest assured the Mastermind will make this year’s celebration a little different from years past.  Maybe it is time to serve duck or tenderloin instead of turkey…and it will be the Mastermind leading the way.  Good on ya, Mastermind!

This Thanksgiving, may we all look past those annoying characteristics of our family and friends and celebrate what makes them so special.  And let’s hope they do the same for us.  As my late stepmother-in-law always said, “We all have our peccadilloes.”