Leveraging Styles to Improve Communication

Transcription

1 NCCUPA-HR 2014 Spring Professional Development Workshop Leveraging Styles to Improve Communication Stephanie S. Davis, Senior Consultant Training & Organizational Development NC State University, Human Resources

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3 Challenges with Communication At your tables discuss: 1-What issues are caused by miscommunications? 2-What are the costs of these miscommunications? 3

4 Understanding Communication Style To be an effective communicator, you need to: Understand your own communication style. Diagnose the style and information needs of others. Communicate with others in a way that is sensitive to and aware of their information needs 4

5 Communication Style Survey 1-Complete the Communication Style Survey & Review Scores 2-Select the colored dot that represents your highest score and place on your nametag or clothing. Analytical Driver Amiable Expressive 5

6 What is Communication Style? 1- Observed Behavior Patterns 2- Measured by Two Dimensions: Assertiveness Ask or Tell Behaviors when interacting with others Responsiveness Amount of Emotion Displayed when interacting with others

7 Communication Style Model Controls Emotions (Less Responsive) ANALYTICAL DRIVER Asks (Less Assertive) Tells (More Assertive) AMIABLE EXPRESSIVE Displays Emotions (More Responsive)

8 Communication Style Descriptions Analytical-Thinking Oriented Diplomatic Fact Finder Accurate Logical Sensitive Orderly Disciplined Process Focused Amiable-Relationship Oriented Patient Team Player Sympathetic Supportive Stable Trusting Organized Loyal Driver-Action Oriented Decisive Problem-solver Competitor Independent Assertive Demanding Impatient Task Focused Expressive-Intuition Oriented Motivating Visionary Enthusiastic Influential Charming Confident Gregarious Spontaneous

9 Communication Style Behaviors Analytical-Process Slower paced Make efforts to organize Shows less concern for relationships Work in historical timeframe Take action cautiously Tend to avoid personal involvement Amiable-People Slower paced Make efforts to relate Show less concern for effecting change Work in the present timeframe Show supportive action Tend to avoid conflict Driver-Task Faster paced Make efforts to set the pace Less concerned for the value in relationships Work in the present timeframe Direct the actions of others Tend to avoid inaction Expressive-Creativity Faster paced Make efforts to get involved Show less concern for routine Work in future timeframe Tend to act impulsively Tend to avoid isolation

10 What we see in the mirror may not be what others see! 10

11 Intention versus Perception Driver Intends to be: independent, decisive, practical, efficient, and determined. May be perceived as: insensitive, dominating, opinionated, and cold. Analytical Intends to be: precise, logical, thorough, serious, and systematic. May be perceived as: inflexible, picky, critical, exacting, and stubborn.

12 Intention versus Perception Amiable Intends to be: cooperative, supportive, diplomatic, patient, and loyal. May be perceived as: permissive, conforming, overly sensitive, dependent and indecisive. Expressive Intends to be: outgoing, enthusiastic, spontaneous, and creative. May be perceived as: unrealistic, disruptive, careless, and emotional.

13 Social Style Behaviors (Stress, Change, Conflict) Analytical- AVOIDING Avoids Confrontation Draws attention away from an issue Retreats to other distractions Delays decisions Driver- AUTOCRATIC Confronts others Focuses on the issue Looks for rationale Becomes demanding Amiable- ACQUIESCING Soothes relationships Yields to other s viewpoints Waivers on opinion Hesitates Gives in, withdraws support Expressive- ATTACKING Confronts others Verbalizes judgmental feelings Blames others personally Shows extreme emotion

14 Social Style Reflection 1-Divide into small groups (3-5 people) of: Analyticals, Drivers, Amiables, Expressives 2-As a group, discuss and complete the Communication Style Worksheet: 1-How would you describe your style? 2- Why and How does this style make you an effective communicator? 3- How do you need to adapt/modify your behaviors when communicating with others? 4- What Motto/Slogan best depicts your style? 14

15 Tips for Communicating with Analyticals With Analyticals, try to: Prepare your facts in advance. Be direct, stick to business. List pros and cons of suggestions you make. Take your time, be persistent. Follow through if you agree. Be organized and logical. Provide tangible evidence. Be accurate and realistic. With Analyticals, try not to: Be disorganized. Rush the decisionmaking process. Fail to follow through. Leave things to chance. Use testimonials from others or unreliable sources. Use someone s opinion as evidence. Be manipulative.

16 Tips for Communicating with Drivers With Drivers, try to: Be brief, specific, and to the point. Stick to business. Be prepared with objectives. Present facts cleanly and logically. Provide alternatives and let them make the decision. After talking business, don t linger. With Drivers, try not to: Ramble on or waste their time. Leave loopholes or cloudy issues. Come with predetermined decisions. Offer unsubstantiated guarantees. Direct them or order them around. Bring emotions into the conversation.

17 Tips for Communicating with Amiables With Amiables, try to: Start with a personal comment. Show sincere interest in them as people. Listen and be responsive. Ask how questions to draw out their opinions. Define individual contributions. Provide back-up and support. With Amiables, try not to: Stick to business only. Force them to respond quickly to your objectives. Be demanding or manipulative. Leave the personal side out of a discussion. Offer too many options. Be vague or forget to give deadlines.

18 Tips for Communicating with Expressives With Expressives, try to: Talk about their goals and what they find stimulating. Deal with the big picture not the details. Ask for their opinion and ideas. Provide ideas and suggestions for implementing necessary actions. Be stimulating, fast moving, and interesting. With Expressives, try not to: Be cold, aloof, or tightlipped. Deal with too many details. Instead put them in writing. Leave deadlines open. Ignore their opinion. Be demanding.

19 Key Reminders There is no best social style position Your behavioral style is not your whole personality Your behavioral style profile represents a theme in your actions Your behavioral style has growth actions (Quick Guide) It is your responsibility to establish and build effective relationships with others 19

20 Application Discuss at your tables- How can leveraging communication styles, assist you and your organization with: 1- Decreasing employee relation issues? 2- Increasing team efficiency and organization productivity? 20