Understanding Different Communication Styles · Our communication style refers to the choices we tend to make when communicating with others. It involves 2 basic dimensions – our

Presenter: Kim Charteris-Wright

Understanding Different Communication Styles

How we communicate in our roles…..

Verbally - face to face discussion, meetings, on the telephone

Visually - presentations, demonstrations, body language

In writing- memos, emails, faxes, letters, patient notes, reports

By example - working practices, behaviours, attitudes & actions

What is communication?

Receiver

Message

Sender

“The effective exchange of information from sender to receiver”

Communication

Sender Message Receiver

Paradigms, experiences, habits,

noise, self talk, context, emotions etc

Our own personal filters

“Words have no meaning – people have meaning”.

Larry Barker

The art of seeing each others perspective

The art of seeing each others perspective

Each of us has a style that is unique.

Our communication style refers to the choices we tend to make when communicating with others. It involves 2 basic dimensions – our level of assertiveness & our level of emotiveness.

Differences in communication styles can lead to barriers in communication success.

Understanding Different Communication Styles

TASK, OUTPUTS FOCUSED

LOGICAL

THINKING

& JUDGING

PEOPLE, TEAM FOCUSED

INTUITIVE FEELINGS &

EMOTIONS

ASSERTIVE/EXTRAVERTED/TELLING STYLE

RESERVED/INTROVERTED/ASKING STYLE

TASK &

OUTPUTS

Logical ‘thinker’

PEOPLE & TEAM

Intuitive ‘feeler’

ASSERTIVE Teller

RESERVED Asker

“EAGLE” “PEACOCK”

“OWL” “DOVE”

Eagle – Results Seeker/Director

Strengths

Decisive & efficient

Competitive & outgoing

Assertive, comfortable with conflict/confrontation situations

Like to use their initiative

Ambitious, astute & future focused

Strong need for power & control

Naturally take charge

Economical with words

Fast paced, want action, doers

High standards & expectations

Big picture thinkers, can make connections quickly & succinctly

Short, sharp yet care about people

Independent & determined

Weaknesses

Can resist authority from others

Can be blunt & direct

Casual about detail & rules

Impatient, can rush others

Intolerant of sloppy results

Rapid fire approach can be seen as abrasive & agressive

Can forget to slow down & take others on the journey

Intolerant of other perspectives

Can rail road others to “get things done”

Owl – Task Focused Thinker/Detail Seeker

Strengths Logical, deep thinker

Thorough & conscientious

Orderly, methodical & systematic

Disciplined

Consistent

Strongest need for measurable results & achievement of the 4

Planful, objective & deliberate

Analytical problem solvers

Accurate, strong attention to detail, check & recheck.

High standards & expectations

Facts/figures not emotions

Needs time to think things through

Weaknesses Excludes feelings from decisions

Doesn’t cope well with sudden change in plans

Perfectionist, procrastinator

Can be very black/white in their thinking (possibly too rigid)

Doesn’t like being put on the spot or having to think on their feet.

Dove – Harmony Seeker/People Relater

Strengths Quiet, pleasant, friendly

Stable, dependable, consistent

Team player, glue within the team

Eager to please, willing to accommodate

Like to be forewarned & kept informed

Patient listeners, good thinkers

Prefer the tried & true

Loyal, strong sense of obligation

Supportive

Diplomatic

Considerate

Weaknesses Don’t like rapid change

Dislike conflict

Not naturally assertive

Find it hard to say “NO”

Like to please others

Under pressure, may exhibit passive/aggressive behaviours

Tends to conform to others

Can be easily influenced/swayed

Peacock – Excitement Seeker/Spirited Socialiser

Strengths Outgoing, sociable, talkative

Persuasive, impulsive

Thrives on change, variety, new ideas & trends

Social networkers, relationship builders

Better with people than data

Big picture thinkers

Open with their feelings & emotions

Good at influencing others

Creative, innovative, responsive

Positive, enthusiastic & high spirited

Energizing & fun

Weaknesses Can become too involved in

people/personal issues

Talk too much, listen too little

Can be too strong or overpowering

Unrealistic, head in the clouds

Least organized of the 4 but know where to find what they need

Casual about detail & rules

Easily distracted

Struggle to prioritize doing the most interesting jobs first.

GOLDEN RULE

“Seek First to Understand,

Then to be Understood”

Habit 5: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Powerful lessons in personal change.

Stephen R. Covey

Eagle - Tips for communicating more effectively

Make an effort to listen fully & generously to others

Allow time for ‘chatting’ ‘small talk’ at the beginning of a meeting

Recognise others need to express their feelings about a topic

Recognise brainstorming can be helpful & not just a ‘timewaster”

Communicate your expectations for how a meeting will go – i.e.

length of time, topics covered & expected results – before the meeting

Take time to show your appreciation for others’ contributions

Don’t use email for sensitive or complicated topics

Allow time in your schedule for

questions & feedback

OWL - Tips for communicating more effectively

Recognise not everyone follows linear thought processes

Realise for good working relationships, consideration for others’ feelings is important

Learn to ask qualifying questions that will help get information you

need

Ask others about themselves & be interested in their answer

Make sure you understand the scope of the project so don’t

waster time over thinking or over doing

If you need to ask for more

time to think things through,

let people know that & explain the

benefit of the information you are working on.

DOVE - Tips for communicating more effectively

Recognise people’s opinions about a topic are separate from their opinions about you.

Realise not everyone is comfortable discussing personal topics with work colleagues.

Allow others to open personal topics before asking questions

Respect your own opinion

as much as you respect others

Recognise you don’t have to

be friends with everyone but

you should others & be treated

professionally.

PEACOCK - Tips for communicating effectively

When sharing ideas, also suggest how to put the idea into action.

Respect agreed-upon agendas & time limits when in meetings

Limit your sharing of personal anecdotes that take the group

off-topic.

Allow others to contribute their ideas & suggestions & listen

generously to them.

Ask others what they think &/or feel about the topic/issue

Use the KISS Principle:

Communicate your appreciation

for other’s work & input

EAGLE – tips for others to use

Ask if they have time to talk before jumping in

Get to the put quickly – don’t bog them in detail or personal stories

Limit ‘chatting’ or conversation that is off the topic

Use short, direct sentences

Ask for a specific call to action or make a specific request

Don’t speak in the abstract

Only promise what you are certain you can deliver

Don’t give or ask information about

personal issues unless they initiate it

Don’t sugar coat things – speak plainly

OWL – tips for others to use

Focus on FACTS of the situation rather than your or their opinion

Use the KISS Principle – rather than generalisations

Be organized, on time, on the topic & your facts right

Give logical reasons WHY for your actions & what you ask of them

Allow them time for research & analysis before decision making

Avoid personal topics unless they open the conversation

DOVE – tips for others to use

Reassure them your opinions are not personal

Express sincere interest in their feelings, thoughts & personal life

Encourage &/or invite them to ask questions & share their opinions

Let them know you appreciate their help & input

Resolve any conflicts quickly

PEACOCK – tips for others to use

Use an agenda with time limits listed for each topic

Praise them in front of others – appeal to their ego

Gently redirect the conversation back to the topic at hand

Understand they may exaggerate

Ask them to break their ‘ big ideas’ into specific outcomes & steps

Reaffirm with them what they have agreed to do & follow-up

with them afterwards

Use checklists or other written

reminders on what needs to be done

Thank you for all your energy & input.

You’ve been great!!!

For further information please feel free to contact me on: Kim Charteris-Wright [email protected]

Tel: 03 478 0061