The 5 Fingers Framework

We all know that people are complicated species, if you don’t tread carefully around them you might get hurt.  There’s a huge number of characteristics, emotions, intellects, abilities and experiences that combine to make up one complete human being.   In my experience, there are five categories within which we can classify someone – be it your boss, partner, spouse or friend.

Right now, however, I want to focus more on you.  I ask you to analyze your own preferences, think about your own behavior and decide where you fit in.

I use the analogy of a hand – with five fingers – to make it easy to understand and identify with.  After reading this, you will never look at your hands the same way again.

Let’s begin analyzing the Five Fingers Framework:

The small finger is the beginning of all things.  It is the smallest finger because it signals the first step.  In many instances, the first step is actually the hardest or the most challenging step to take.  Therefore, when you overcome the hurdle of the first step, you start to build momentum.  The small finger is the finger of courage.  It is the foundation – the basis – of even larger and greater things to follow.  Martin Luther King Jr. is known to have said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase in order to get to the top, you just need to take the first step, and then the next, and then the next”.

Are you the initiator of things? Are you the daring dreamer who gets things going? Are you the kind of person who doesn’t wait until all conditions are just perfect? Do you take action even if you are unsure of the eventual outcome, trusting that you will grow into it and learn to do it better?  If yes, then you are the small finger – the initiator – the dynamite – the first step that begins the journey of a thousand miles.  Don’t shy away because of your tiny physical size.  Blow them away with your dynamic dynamite attitude and ability.

The ring equals marriage. And marriage signifies unity – it signifies togetherness – it signifies a commitment that will not be broken.  Commitment is a big factor when it comes to success and achievement.  We all know that you cannot succeed alone.  Success requires a team.  If you’re the person who can unite and solidify people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to work together towards a common purpose, you, my friend, are a leader.

Ring finger people a responsible bunch.  They are willing to accommodate others without compromising their own values.  Responsibility is a synonym for leadership.  It means you are trustworthy.  Marriage also signifies sacrifice.  Ring finger people are willing to let go of the temptations around them and focus on the bigger prize – the one thing that matters most.  What is that one thing you are committed to? What is that one thing you are willing to sacrifice everything else in order to achieve? Go get it, champ.

The middle finger is the rotten potato that spoils the whole bag.  It is filled with negativity and pessimism.  Middle finger people are the people who bring disharmony and conflict to their surroundings.  They spread malicious lies and gossip that damages the morale of the team.

Middle finger people are the weeds in the beautiful garden of life.  They need to be weeded out ruthlessly.  They are the people who mock progress and are always undermining the people around them.  Middle finger people are the fleas that feed on the blood of other people.  They are the wolves in sheep clothing – always scavenging for unsuspecting prey.

If you are a middle finger person, go get help immediately.

Pointing finger people are similar specimens to their middle finger buddies.  Nothing is ever their fault, they are never wrong; they are always looking to shift the blame, i.e., pointing their finger at the next person.  Finger-pointing is fruitless because it denies you the opportunity to learn and improve.

Pointing finger people blame everybody else but themselves.  They forsake responsibility and are full of excuses and complaints.  They are usually very lazy and they try to get other people to do the heavy-lifting for them.  In this way, when something goes wrong they can safely say, “It wasn’t me; I wasn’t there.”

Pointing finger people are a cancer to society.  They stifle progress and make everyone around them uncomfortable and resentful.

Thumbs are our big, bold buddies.  The thumb is the father figure – it is appreciative and insightful.  The thumb tries to make things right.  Thumbs are the positive people in society.  They are encouraging and polite, yet honest and firm.  They have learnt to say “please” and “thank you”.  Thumbs don’t go around looking for negativity, instead they guide us and show us the way.  They are the mediators who try to resolve conflicts amicably.  We say thumbs up to the thumb!

And now, friends, having gone through the five fingers framework, which finger do you think you are? Are you the small finger, the ring finger, the middle finger, the pointing finger or the thumb?

Share your stories with us. 

Do any of your colleagues or siblings fit into this framework?

How can you tell?