Improve Communication in Your Workplace with this Tool

I was born in Japan but I moved as a baby to the United States when my father’s work brought us here. Although my parents are Japanese, my first memory is in the American school system, learning American customs and speaking English as my first language.

My father’s business English was fine, but his conversational English was not very advanced. As a result, he and I barely understood each other when I was a child. We lived in the same house, I grew up with him, but we couldn’t communicate effectively.

This communication gap affected the relationship with my father for my entire life. We moved back to Japan when I was eight years old and I quickly forgot English and Japanese became my mother tongue, but I believe one of the major reasons why my father and I had never created a soul-to-soul connection was because of the communication barrier from my youth.

My point is: communication can be difficult even when you’re living under the same roof with another person and being raised by them. If connection at home with family members can take extra effort, it can only be expected that communication in the work place will require attention as well.

Use DiSC to Become a Leader in Your Work Place

The pattern of miscommunication from my childhood has led me to study the nature of communication between people. In my work with high-level corporate executives, I use a system called DiSC to help them effectively speak to and understand the other people with whom they’re working.

You see, each of us communicates differently. If you have four people in a meeting, their communication styles could be so different from one another that you might as well have one person speak Dutch, one speak Italian, one speak Spanish and another Chinese. The Italian and Spanish-speakers might understand the general gist of what each other is saying, but the others will have no idea or simply misunderstand completely.

DiSC: Four Traits to Differentiate Communication Styles

The DiSC system teaches that there are four essential traits that distinguish communication style: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. When you understand each subsection, you can see where your co-workers are coming from, better communicate with them in a way they understand, and be more effective and productive.

For example, someone who communicates with primarily Dominance as their language will make quick decisions with limited information. These people are quick thinkers, and they are unafraid of conflict. You also don’t want to start with small talk because they simply don’t care – they want the facts so they can get to the point and make a quick decision.

On the other hand, someone who is a C (or, someone who operates from a place of Conscientious) may want all the data and facts. Their decision process will take more time, but it’s not because they think slowly. It’s because they are careful and methodical and like to follow a certain process to make decisions.

People who come from a place of Influence, like me, tend to be more bubbly, talkative and friendly. So, when I talk to a D, that person may perceive that I’m not as serious if I use my natural bubbly tone of voice. That will come off to them as indecisive or fluffy. Therefore, when I work with a D, I am direct and focused because that’s what they understand best.

When you know how to speak to different people, they will respond to you better and you will be able to get your get your point across much easily.

Learn how to use the DiSC system to maximize your efforts at work and become recognized for all your contributions. And download my free Leadership Discovery Tool to explore your leadership style and specific ways to communicate more clearly in the workplace.

Nozomi Morgan, MBA, is a certified Executive Coach and the Founder and President of Michiki Morgan Worldwide LLC. Addition to coaching, she speaks and trains on leadership, career, professional development and cross-cultural business communication.

Nozomi’s clients have a yen for international business, to be successful in the global marketplace, and savvy in international and cross-cultural relations. Her work includes coaching experienced professionals from all over the world — from C-suite executives to up-and-coming managers.

She also works with multinational teams within global corporations to overcome the tension and frustration that can naturally arise from cultural differences. Her clients experience dramatic improvement in key performance indicators through enhancing communication and cultivating trust.

Her diverse international background—having lived in Asia, Europe and North America—gives her a wealth of experience and knowledge as a coach, speaker and mentor. Born and raised in Japan, she values integrity, professionalism, and respect, all of which are tenets of her deeply ingrained heritage.

Visit www.nozomimorgan.com to learn more about Nozomi . There, you can download the free Leadership Discovery Tool.