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The Cactus and Snowflake at Work: How the Logical and Sensitive Can Thrive Side by Side
This hilarious and profound workplace guide proves the rigorously rational and the supremely sympathetic can meet in the middle and merge their strengths. Readers will discover how blending with their opposite opens the pathway to being their truest selves.
Carl Jung's personality typology introduced the distinction that Feelers (who lead with their hearts) put more weight on personal concerns and the people involved, and Thinkers (who lead with their heads) are guided by objective principles and impartial facts. This book calls them Cacti and Snowflakes—each singularly transcendent. But can people with such fundamentally different ways of making sense of and engaging with the world work together?
Yes, says Devora Zack! The key is not to try to change each other. Zack says we can directly control only three what we say, what we think, and what we do. The best use of our energy is to focus on our own reactions and perceptions rather than try to “fix” other people.
This book includes an assessment so readers can learn where they are on the Thinker/Feeler spectrum—and because it’s a spectrum, readers might well be a snowcactus or a cactusflake. Then Zack helps them figure out where other people might be, guiding them through a myriad of modes of communication and motivation based on personality type. She includes real-life scenarios that show how to nurture one’s nature while successfully connecting with those on the other side.
As always, Zack fearlessly and entertainingly dispels myths, squashes stereotypes, and transforms perceived liabilities into strengths. And she once again affirms that, like chocolate and peanut butter, we are better together.
Carl Jung's personality typology introduced the distinction that Feelers (who lead with their hearts) put more weight on personal concerns and the people involved, and Thinkers (who lead with their heads) are guided by objective principles and impartial facts. This book calls them Cacti and Snowflakes—each singularly transcendent. But can people with such fundamentally different ways of making sense of and engaging with the world work together?
Yes, says Devora Zack! The key is not to try to change each other. Zack says we can directly control only three what we say, what we think, and what we do. The best use of our energy is to focus on our own reactions and perceptions rather than try to “fix” other people.
This book includes an assessment so readers can learn where they are on the Thinker/Feeler spectrum—and because it’s a spectrum, readers might well be a snowcactus or a cactusflake. Then Zack helps them figure out where other people might be, guiding them through a myriad of modes of communication and motivation based on personality type. She includes real-life scenarios that show how to nurture one’s nature while successfully connecting with those on the other side.
As always, Zack fearlessly and entertainingly dispels myths, squashes stereotypes, and transforms perceived liabilities into strengths. And she once again affirms that, like chocolate and peanut butter, we are better together.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2021
8 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Devora Zack
24 books25 followersDevora Zack is a nationally recognized expert in the field of leadership development. Her consulting, networking strategies, seminars, corporate retreats, coaching, and strategic plans consistently result in improved productivity and morale.
Ms. Zack consults to dozens of diverse organizations in private industry, federal agencies, and the public sector.
Ms. Zack holds an MBA from Cornell University where she was a full-tuition merit scholar. Her BA, magna cum laude, is from University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication. She is honored with active memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Mensa.
Ms. Zack holds an MBA from Cornell University where she was a full-tuition merit scholar. Her BA, magna cum laude, is from University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication. She is honored with active memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Mensa.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 17, 2023
Now let me first say that I did not pick this book for myself. My place of employment started a book club and this was the first book. I actually learned a couple of things in this book that I can apply to both my personal and professional life. I'm pretty sure that I am a Cactusflake (a little of both). For being 100% not the type of book I like to read, I gave this 3 stars.
January 20, 2023
Devora Zack does a great job throughout this book in carefully providing both areas of strength and weakness in being a snowflake (feeler) vs. cactus (thinker).
The book is very easy to read with fun interactive quizzes, lessons, clarifications, and mini summaries of each chapter to recap the main points previously highlighted.
I originally purchased this book in search of an understanding and insight on the qualities, triggers, and preferences of being a snowflake and cactus; it provided very useful information and even called me out on my own areas of weaknesses which was both refreshing and in a strange way comforting.
If you’re looking on how to better yourself personally, professionally, and all other aspects of your life by embracing your true nature while becoming more open minded - then read this book.
Mahalo and enjoy! 🌺
The book is very easy to read with fun interactive quizzes, lessons, clarifications, and mini summaries of each chapter to recap the main points previously highlighted.
I originally purchased this book in search of an understanding and insight on the qualities, triggers, and preferences of being a snowflake and cactus; it provided very useful information and even called me out on my own areas of weaknesses which was both refreshing and in a strange way comforting.
If you’re looking on how to better yourself personally, professionally, and all other aspects of your life by embracing your true nature while becoming more open minded - then read this book.
Mahalo and enjoy! 🌺
July 30, 2024
Conceptually this book talks about two types of people
- ones who think and act from their brains
- ones who act based on how they feel.
Rest of the book is just using different connotations for the above two classes.
Some of the stories and examples are nice - however this book could have been half the size without repeating content. Decent read overall.
- ones who think and act from their brains
- ones who act based on how they feel.
Rest of the book is just using different connotations for the above two classes.
Some of the stories and examples are nice - however this book could have been half the size without repeating content. Decent read overall.
February 6, 2023
pretty good and personable without being mega-edgy for the sake of kowtowing to millennials who want to see no no words (fuck! shit! cunt!) in self-help books to make them feel cool
May 21, 2023
Good angles and viewpoints. Well worth time and reflection around. Good recommendations on how to neutralize and avoid misunderstandings between these profiles.
September 24, 2023
Very good. I think it has really helped me understand some workplace dynamics and how I operate in the very same environment
August 6, 2025
According to the results, I have a slight cactus preference and am likely an introverted cactus.
One of the concepts that I found most helpful in understanding myself and others was the NE, non-event.
One of the concepts that I found most helpful in understanding myself and others was the NE, non-event.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews