Metaprogram: Equality - Differences

In every situation, a person's attention is either focused on equality or difference.

Equality:

People who tend to sort by equality are constantly paying attention to things in their environment that they already know from before, that are familiar to them. They like it when little to nothing changes in their world. They don't particularly like changes. Professional changes every 15-25 years are enough for them. Their motto is "There is nothing really new under the sun," they believe in the eternal return of the same.

Equality with exceptions:

People who prefer this perception filter first pay attention to equalities, to correspondences, and then begin to perceive differences and distinctions. They like it when things change only gradually and slowly. Changes at the workplace every 5-7 years are enough for them. Their maxim might be "Don't rush anything."

Difference:

People with this perception filter constantly observe their environment from the perspective: "What is different than before?" They love change and their life motto could be "Nothing is constant except change," or they would agree with Heraclitus' saying "You cannot step into the same river twice." They abhor statistical and stable situations, organizations, belief systems, etc. They prefer revolutionary change, change for the sake of change. They are constantly reorganizing their office, their workflows, etc. If their profession itself does not bring enough change and transformation, they will often change professions. They would like to have new tasks, workflows, etc. every 9-18 months.

Difference with exceptions:

These people first pay attention to differences and distinctions and then to equality and correspondence. They love changes and variety, but they don't have to be revolutionary or abrupt changes. Changes in their tasks every 18-36 months are enough for them.

Classifying Questions

How would you describe what you are doing now relative to what you were doing a month ago?
What is the difference between your current and your previous job?
(General pattern: "What is the difference or the relationship between X and X at an earlier time.")

Recognize and Identify

Equality: These people will list all the things that have remained the same, that have not changed, and even if they have pointed out differences, they will use phrases like: "That's true, but basically, things remain the same."

Equality with exceptions: People with this perception filter always start by pointing out similarities, equalities, and correspondences before mentioning differences and distinctions. They will focus on how things have gradually changed over time. They often use comparatives like "It's better than ..." "There are more opportunities now than before." "We have less stress today." "It's almost the same as ..."

Difference: People with this perception filter incessantly point out what has already changed, how things and situations are not comparable. Even when pointed to an obvious equality, they tend to say: "Yes, on the surface, it may look like that, but basically, it's something completely different." They use words like new, change, difference, rapid development, revolutionary innovation, etc.

Difference with exceptions People with this perception filter always start with differences, distinctions, deviations, and changes before pointing out equalities. They emphasize change and perceive equality in passing.

Examples

• Equality: "That's just like ....." "I already know that from here and there." "That reminds me of X." "Just like back then."
• Equality with exceptions: "My new job is basically the same as before, except that I have more responsibility."
• Difference: "Since I changed my position, my area of responsibility has completely changed."
• Difference with exceptions: "My area of responsibility has fundamentally changed, except for the fact that I'm still in the same office."

Statistical Distribution

Equality: 5-10%
Equality with exceptions: 55-65%
Difference with exceptions: 20-25%
Difference 5-10 %

Language Patterns

• Equality: just like, consistent quality, just like always, maintain, equality, be the same, in accordance with, repetition, repeat.
• Equality with exceptions: bigger, better, more beautiful, more, developed, gradual, improved, evolutionary, just like except for.
• Difference with exception: new, different, changed, unusual, atypical.
• Difference: new, unique, revolutionary, groundbreaking, completely different, radical. People have certain preferences in their approach. Some love to have precise instructions to follow, while others prefer to be given only a goal and find their own way there.