Why Spades matter: Their superpower is rigorous problem definition, research, and data synthesis—the foundation of smart strategy and R&D.

High vs. Low Spades: Where each gets energy (inward reflection vs. outward sharing) and how that shows up at work.

Common pitfalls: Analysis paralysis, undervaluing interpersonal dynamics, missing the big picture, and drifting into “know-it-all” or cynical territory under stress.

How to spot a Spade: The questions they ask, the cues they give, and why silence from them does not equal disengagement.

Communicating with Spades: Slow down, bring substance, allow thinking time, use email for reflection, and avoid interrupting their analysis.

Maximizing Spade contributions: Enlist their expertise, set clear decision deadlines, recognize knowledge achievements, and “sell” with facts and features.

Team design insight: Balance Spades with Diamonds (ideas), Clubs (execution), and Hearts (relationships) so decisions are both smart and adopted.

Define before you decide. Spades shine when the problem is ambiguous. Put them in front of fuzzy challenges and give them the mandate to clarify scope, criteria, and risks.

Progress beats perfection. Pair the Spade mindset with a “build it, try it, fix it” cadence to prevent endless analysis.

Respect the pace. Spades think deeply. Provide data in advance, ask pointed questions, and give time for considered responses.

Reward with recognition that fits. Articles, patents, peer acknowledgment, and visible ownership of insights motivate Spades more than generic praise.

Balance the system. Use Diamonds to broaden possibilities, Clubs to drive timelines and outcomes, and Hearts to energize adoption and stakeholder buy-in.

Spades make innovation safer, smarter, and more strategic. Give them the right inputs, time, and recognition—and pair them with complementary styles—so your team can move from insight to impact.

📘 Personality Poker by Stephen Shapiro — deepen your understanding of all four styles and how to build balanced, high-performing teams: https://a.co/d/1xWOKjX

Learn more, play the game, and unlock your team’s full potential at PersonalityPoker.com

Brought to you by Stephen Shapiro—helping people and organizations create high-performing collaboration, innovation, and teams since 2001.

What if the key to stronger teams, more effective leadership, and breakthrough innovation was hidden in a deck of cards?

In this episode, Stephen Shapiro takes you inside the world of Personality Poker®, a game that’s been played by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide—from boardrooms in Copenhagen to Fortune 500 companies everywhere. Through laughter and card trading, participants uncover deep insights about their innovation personality and the balance (or imbalance) on their teams.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

The Four Suits of Innovation:

♠️ Spades – analytical, data-driven, “why” thinkers.

♣️ Clubs – structured, results-focused, “how” implementers.

♥️ Hearts – empathetic, relationship-driven, “who” connectors.

♦️ Diamonds – adventurous, creative, “what if” idea generators.

Energy Styles (Numbers): Why introverted “inward” cards and extroverted “outward” cards shape how you show up—and how leaders often emerge from the “high cards.”

Thinking Styles (Colors): Black = rational “dot” thinkers, Red = relational “line” thinkers—and why innovation happens at the connections between the dots.

The Big Insight: The person you like the least is often the person you need the most. Your missing or opposite suit might drive you crazy, but they also bring the traits your team lacks.

The Intersections: Why most people don’t fit neatly in one box, and how combinations like Thinkers, Directors, Influencers, and Builders create powerful team dynamics.

This isn’t about putting people in boxes—it’s about sparking conversations, building awareness, and intentionally designing teams that balance creativity, execution, relationships, and results.

Whether you’re leading a global company or collaborating with a small team, Personality Poker will help you see yourself more clearly and work more effectively with others.

👉 Pick up your copy of Personality Poker today: https://a.co/d/1xWOKjX

Learn more, play the game, and unlock your team’s full potential at PersonalityPoker.com

Brought to you by Stephen Shapiro—helping people and organizations create high-performing collaboration, innovation, and teams since 2001.

In this foundational episode, we explore two essential chapters from Personality Poker that will help you better understand yourself—and how to play the game effectively.

Before you try to build your “perfect hand,” it’s critical to understand the difference between the four major styles:

✅ Preferred Style – What comes naturally to you and gives you energy

⚙️ Adapted Style – Traits you’ve developed out of necessity, often for your job

🌟 Desired Style – Who you wish you were, even if it’s not natural

🚫 Opposite Style – Traits that don’t fit you at all (and never will)

You’ll also learn why distinguishing between these can be surprisingly difficult—and why misidentifying your style can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, or poor team dynamics.

We also dive into the concept of your Strong Suit on Steroids—how the traits you might see as flaws (e.g., being disorganized or overly sensitive) are often just overextended strengths. These are not weaknesses—they’re your superpowers in disguise.

Then we walk through how to play Personality Poker in three formats:

1. Solitaire (Play Solo or with a Close Friend)

Use a 3- or 5-pile sorting method

Uncover which traits energize you, which ones drain you, and which ones you rarely get to use (but should!)

2. Gifting (Play with a Small Team of 4–20 People)

Choose cards for yourself and give cards to others

Share heartfelt stories to build trust, deepen connection, and feel seen

3. Poker (Play with Larger Teams of 15+ People)

Trade and refine your cards like in five-card draw

Discover your ideal role—and who you need on your team for balance

Optional: End with a gifting round to reinforce how others see your strengths

Being good at something doesn’t mean it’s your strength

Learned/adapted behaviors can lead to burnout over time

Unused strengths are often hidden opportunities

The 2, 3, and 4 cards (your shadow side) may hold your biggest insights

The goal: build a hand that reflects your true nature, not who you think you should be

Personality Poker is based on the Q-sort method, a well-established psychological technique used since the 1950s. But unlike traditional assessments, this one is interactive, fast, fun, and deeply human.

Want to play? Grab a deck, pick your format, and let the insights begin.

Visit personalitypoker.com to learn more or get your cards.

Learn more, play the game, and unlock your team’s full potential at PersonalityPoker.com

Brought to you by Stephen Shapiro—helping people and organizations create high-performing collaboration, innovation, and teams since 2001.