Understanding 4 communication styles

I made a speech on "Understanding 4 communication styles" at a Toastmasters club meeting. This article is based on the speech. Note: This post is for a project assigned by the Toastmasters club, which purpose is promoting communication, public speaking and leadership. I use the Linkedin space to do my assignment. Please feel free to skip reading.

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According to my research on the internet, there are 4 types of communication styles: Direct, Analytical, Supportive, and Initiative. The four styles are named after birds to help us remember the major characteristics of that style. Eagle, Owl, Dove, and Roadrunner.

Let's describe these 4 styles using 2 axes:The horizontal axis indicates if the communicator prefers a FASTER or SLOWER pace. Fast-paced speakers like to get things done QUICKLY, prefer a BUSY and an EFFICIENT environment and become IMPATIENT when being bored. Slow-paced speakers are rather PATIENT or TAKE THEIR TIME to get things done. They prefer personal, relaxed and no-tension environment. Results-oriented, ambitious, and goal-oriented people are positioned higher on the VERTICAL axis. Speakers who focus on people, their close relationship to them and their satisfaction are positioned lower.

Upper-Right: The DIRECT style, or Eagle. Decisive, competitive, independent, and confident because the speaker is results-oriented, ambitious, goal-oriented, and goal-driven.

Upper-Left: The ANALYTICAL style, or OWL. Precise, exact, analytical and logical because the person is systematic and task-oriented, and is sometimes perceived as a perfectionist.

Lower-Left: The SUPPORTIVE style, or Dove. Calm, steady, approachable, sincere, and gentle because the person dislikes change and may appear indecisive or careful. Due to her active listening skills, others see her as cooperative, dependable, and loyal.

Lower-Right: The INITIATIVE style, or Roadrunner. Sociable, enthusiastic, energetic, spontaneous, and fun-loving. This person may be perceived as someone who TALKS more / than he LISTENS.

Having evaluated myself, my scores were 4 as a dove, 4 as a Roadrunner and 2 each as Owl and Eagle. Thus, the test suggested that my communication style is a mix of Dove and Roadrunner. But given the situation, it might include some of the other animals as well. Personally, I feel most comfortable being characterized as a Dove.

The Dove is patient, people-oriented and very considerate. It is supporting and indirect, relatively unassertive, warm and reliable. Its motto is: “Is everyone comfortable?” Its strengths are CARING FOR and LOVING others and being a VERY GOOD LISTENER. It might be somewhat unassertive and overly sensitive. Most of these seem to apply to me, though not for 100%.

From this research, I understood those 4 communication styles and their strengths & weaknesses. Although my primary communication style is DOVE, given the situation, I have to be flexible and adopt other communication styles depending on my counterpart’s style. When talking to an Eagle style person, I should adopt more of an Eagle style to some extent and focus on goals and results. Small talk will not work well here.

Understanding your own communication style and other person’s styles is useful and essential for professional and personal relationships. I encourage you to find out which style, or bird matches you best.