People process information differently.  So, as you're onboarding into an organization and meeting new people, it's helpful to figure out if they are woks, teapots, or percolators.

Woks quick cook things.  They stir-fry information, processing it immediately.  They think with their mouths.  Be prepared to engage them in rapid-fire discussions and get to quick decisions.

Teapots let things brew.  They like to mull information over on their own.  Give them time and space to think things through.

Percolators like to turn things over and stir them up.  They like to discuss – think – discuss.  Be prepared to have a series of separate, discrete conversations with these people as they work towards a point of view.

Anyone have any other appliances they want to add to the mix?  Should we talk about people that like to broil, boil, grill, or just steam others?