Tools that decide and work on things

Map

Before setting off, you want to spread out the whole picture and see what's where.

Decide for myselfToward things and ideasPlan firstWide

A map puts an entire place you've never been onto a single sheet. Once you know what's where and which road leads to which, you won't get lost. Before starting anything, you're the type to research the whole thing and lay it all out first.

You look up three options for an outing and send them in an easy-to-compare table. Before buying furniture, you measure the room and sketch it out. Comparing many fields, spotting how they connect, and then deciding for yourself — “This one” — is the Map's way.

But a map is not the place itself. You may get so absorbed in drawing it that you're late to start walking, or you may miss a road that isn't on it. You can set out with blank spaces left — a map can always be filled in later.

Strengths

You can explain complicated things to others with diagrams and tables
You can line up several options and decide after comparing them
You notice links between fields that seem unrelated

Where you may stumble

Researching becomes the goal, and the decision gets delayed
Events that weren't in the plan can throw you more than you'd expect
You explain the whole picture so thoroughly that the one point the other person wanted gets lost

Sounds familiar, Map?

Before a trip, you've already put together a document with everything about the destination
When explaining something, you find yourself starting to draw a diagram
Even after deciding with a comparison chart, you check the price at one more store, just in case

Where you shine

Researching a trip or event, weighing several proposals, untangling a meeting that's gotten muddled. When everyone is about to get lost, you're the one who can spread out the whole map.

Tips for “Map”

Set a time limit on research and make a decision when it's up
Leave blank space on the map. You can walk without drawing everything
When explaining, say the one-line conclusion first, then expand

Matches

See every match in the Tool Quiz compatibility chart →

Easy together

Fishing Rod — The Fishing Rod can wait patiently in one chosen spot. Where you point and say “This looks promising,” it settles in and gets results.

Easy together

Drill — The Drill bores straight through to a single point. It opens the shortest path to the destination you found.

May clash

Hot-Water Bottle — The Hot-Water Bottle cares about the feelings of the person in front of it. Your “this is right for the whole picture” can sound cold to it.