What is your communication style?

You have a unique communication style that defines the way you share and receive information at work. Acknowledging that your style exists — and understanding what it looks like — can make your work interactions smoother and more efficient.

?When communication styles match the situations or align with the communication styles of your coworkers, it’s obviously better for everyone involved. The problem is that this isn’t always the case. A mismatch between communication styles can lead to misunderstanding and unnecessary tension.?

?For example, if a colleague is most receptive to feedback delivered in one-on-one conversations, they might feel uncomfortable if you start sharing your thoughts about their performance over a messaging app. They might then miss some of the information you're giving them because of that discomfort.?

?Understanding your communication style can help you see whether you need to adjust how you deliver and receive information to get your point across in the most effective way possible.

?So what communication styles are there, and how can you tell which style is your default style? There are four main styles:

?The Analytical Communicator:?a person who likes hard data and clearly defined tasks. They approach issues logically and have informational expertise, which is great for communicating about complex issues, patterns, and trends.

?The Intuitive Communicator: the big-picture thinker who prefers getting straight to the point and doesn’t like slowing down to figure out the details. Their type of communication is perfect for discussing big out-of-the-box ideas but might be tricky for discussing details.?

?The Functional Communicator: a person who likes dealing with everything one step at a time. They gravitate towards step-by-step processes and understanding the details, which is beneficial for implementing ideas. However, when it comes to brainstorming or holding the attention of an audience, this communication style can be out of place

?The Personal Communicator:?a communicator who values connection and is great in navigating conflicts and listening to people. This type of communication is optimal for building understanding, but might sacrifice analytical understanding in favor of rapport-building.

?To reflect on your communication style, follow the steps below.

?Step 1: Identify your preferred communication style.?Which of the definitions above best describes your style? Of course, you might identify with several styles depending on the situation, but try to choose which style you use most often in the work environment — Your?default?style, so to speak.?

?Step 2: Think of a time when this style served you well.?Take a few minutes to write down the situation. Who were the people involved? What was the objective? Why did things go so well?

?Step 3: Think of a time when this style did not serve your intentions or goals.?Understanding when your preferred style doesn’t match the situation is a big step toward making your communication more efficient. Reflect on what you could have done differently in those situations. For example, if you approached a brainstorming discussion with a functional communication style and focused on details and processes, you might have noticed that your approach slowed down or restricted idea generation. To adjust your style, you could hold onto your questions about processes, and ask them after the brainstorming.

?Be honest about your communication style.?Sometimes we wish we expressed or received information in a certain way, but our habits reflect a completely different style. Being honest about how you communicate in your work life can be great for realising your strengths and adjusting your habits.

?If you want to really understand your communication preferences why not take your DISC communication style assessment? This assessment defines which you are and also helps you navigate those around you so you can improve your communications and create greater impact - yes even with your clients.

For more information visit www.brilliantteams.org/disc

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