Why not know your audience?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting the importance of tailoring your communication style to suit different clients and colleagues.

We all have communication preferences – the problem is that most people’s will be different from yours! So, there’s a balance to strike between being authentic and still engaging with others in a way that works best for them.

Before having an important conversation, consider which of these?four communication styles?the other person fits into, so you can adjust your approach accordingly:

1. Direct communicators?(e.g. Steve Jobs) prefer plain speaking and sticking to the facts. Be concise and get to the point quickly.
2. Functional communicators?(e.g. Tiger Woods) are focused on the details. Give them space to ask lots of questions.
3. Collaborative communicators?(e.g. Marcus Rashford) like to find solutions that work for everyone. Listen to their opinions and emphasise how your points fit into the big picture.
4. Influencers?(e.g. Stacey Dooley) are ‘people people’. Stay informal and invest in developing an emotional connection.

Keep an eye on your inbox for more tips on adapting your communication style to build rapport with clients and improve collaboration within your team.

“We all have our own styles of communicating – and our different styles affect everything we hear and say.”?– Eric F. Douglas

Originally published here.