What's your communication style?

Have you ever met someone that you just couldn't get through to?

While there could be many reasons for this, one of the most common reasons is that your communication "style" is different from the other person's communication style.

One of the best ways to quickly improve the effectiveness of your communication is to adapt your communication style to match theirs. Let me illustrate what I mean.

My husband and I have quite different styles of communication. I love details and he just wants the bottom line. If I ask him, "How was your day?"? He is most? likely to respond with a simple "fine," or maybe give? a quick summary of one or two of the most important events.

But when I am asked the same question, I share the complete story of the entire day in detail. Because of his communication style, he doesn't need nor want the details, but because of my communication style,? I want to give the details..

So now we know each other - it has been many years. Now he patiently hears me out and I am fully in sync with him when he says “fine”.?

In the complex web of relationships, effective communication is not just a personal asset but a cornerstone of successful team dynamics.?

In a study conducted by the Centre for Creative Leadership on the challenges of First Time managers, it was found that 15% of first time managers struggle to work with a range of employees that have different opinions, personalities, and skills/abilities than oneself.

This article delves exactly into the intricate dance of communication styles and its impact on teams performance and dynamics.?

In one of my roles as HR Business partner,? I led a team with three very different people. I was the manager who liked getting things done quickly and clearly. Another team member was full of new ideas and energy, making our team exciting. The third person was really good at understanding others and being patient with them.

Even though we seemed like an odd mix, our differences made us stronger. I made sure we had clear goals and everyone knew what to do. The creative team member came up with great ideas that made our team special. And the empathetic one made sure employees felt listened to and valued.

Our team worked well because we understood and respected each other's communication styles. We talked openly about how we liked to communicate, which helped us work better together. Looking back, our ability to blend our communication styles not only made our team successful, but also encouraged growth, teamwork, and new ideas.

Controller:?

The Controller is easy to spot because they just want the facts and nothing but the facts. Because of this, many times they can be perceived as bossy and insensitive. Some of the characteristics to spot a Controller are:?

• Direct and assertive in communication.
• Focuses on results and outcomes.
• Prefers taking charge and making decisions quickly.
• Can be perceived as authoritative or dominating.
• Values efficiency and may prioritize tasks over relationships.

Promoter:

You know the Promoter. They're the life of the party and lots of fun. They love people and love to talk. Some of the characteristics to spot a Promoter are:?

• Energetic and enthusiastic in communication.
• Excited about new ideas and opportunities.
• Enjoys networking and socializing.
• May struggle with details and follow-through.
• Inspires and motivates others with their optimism.

Analyser:

They love to gather details and organize things. They tend to be deep, thoughtful, analytical, serious and purposeful. Because their communication style includes a need for details, they sometimes hesitate to make decisions if they feel that they don't have enough facts.Some of the characteristics to spot an Analyser are:?

• Thorough and detail-oriented in communication.
• Prefers to gather data and analyze information before making decisions.
• Values accuracy and precision.
• Tends to be cautious and risk-averse.
• Strives for logical and rational discussions.

Supporter:

The person with a Supporter communication style typically has a low key personality and is calm, cool and collected. They tend to be patient, well balanced and happily reconciled with life. Some of the characteristics to spot a Supporter are:?

• Empathetic and patient in communication.
• Focuses on building relationships and harmony.
• Listens attentively and offers emotional support.
• Avoids conflict and seeks consensus.
• Values loyalty and cooperation within the team.

In my earlier example, a team led by a Controller manager with Promoter and Supporter team members illustrates the power of blending assertiveness, creativity, and empathy. By embracing adaptability and recognizing the unique strengths each style brings, teams can forge stronger connections, overcome challenges, and achieve collective goals with finesse.

You want to know your communication style, login to this form https://forms.gle/GMKAKMz2e5Va4WEB6

For a deeper understanding of diverse communication styles and their transformative impact on team dynamics and productivity, reach out to us at "[email protected] "