Welcome to Communication Styles PNCWA Workshop April 15, 2009 + - + 1 2 3 4 5 Developed by Training & Organizational Development 2009 HDR, Inc
Workshop Goal: To strengthen your interpersonal communication through the application of the social style concepts
Workshop Objectives Recognize the four primary social styles and the behaviors that characterize each style Determine another person s style by observing behaviors
Workshop Objective (Cont) Learn and apply strategies to adapt your behavior to work more effectively with others Identify the behavior pattern for each style under stress
Observable Behavior is two dimensional 1 2 3 4? R E ASSERTIVENESS S P ASSERTIVENESS O N S Ask VS Tell I V E N E S S RESPONSIVENESS Task People
Assertiveness The way in which a person is perceived as attempting to influence the thoughts and actions of others
Assertiveness Your preferred method of influencing others Ask Assertive Tell Assertive Decides slower Speaks slower Interrupts seldom Addresses problems slower Less risk-oriented Decides quickly Speaks more rapidly Interrupts frequently Addresses problems faster High risk-oriented
Slower Less Quieter Assertiveness Verbal Behaviors Pace of Speech Quantity of Speech Volume of Speech Faster More Louder Ask Assertive Relaxed Lean Back Indirect Use of Hands Body Posture Eye Contact Tell Assertive Directive Lean Forward Direct Non-verbal Behaviors
Observable Behavior is two dimensional 1 2 3 4? R E ASSERTIVENESS S P ASSERTIVENESS O N S Ask VS Tell I V E N E S S RESPONSIVENESS Task People
Responsiveness The way in which a person is perceived as expressing feelings in communicating with others
R e s p o n s i v e n e s s Responsiveness Are they difficult or easy to read? What s the content of their conversation?
R e s p o n s i v e n e s s Task Directed Talk about tasks, facts Seldom use of gestures Tend not to expose, discuss feelings Few facial expressions Responsiveness People Directed Talks about feelings Frequent use of gestures Easily exposes feelings Variety of facial expressions
Emotion In Voice More Task More People R e s p o n s i v e n e s s Subjects In Discussion Source of Discussion Less/ Monotone More/ Vocal Variation Task People Facts/ Data Opinions/ Stories VERBAL BEHAVIORS
Gestures More Task More People R e s p o n s i v e n e s s Body Movement Facial Expressions Less/ Fewer Many/ More Stiff/ Rigid Fewer/ Controlled Casual/ Flowing More/ Animated NON- VERBAL BEHAVIORS
Task? 1 2 3 4 ASSERTIVENESS Ask Tell People RESPONSIVENESS
Task? 1 2 3 4 Ask ANALYTICAL DRIVER ASSERTIVENESS Tell AMIABLE EXPRESSIVE People RESPONSIVENESS
Task Fact & logic Do not commit quickly avoid risk, slower paced Quiet, reserved Shows little emotion Ask Communicate trust, confidence willingly coaches Supportive, easy to work with Recognize others contributions Takes charge,dominant Makes quick decisions Likes challenges, risks Action and goal oriented highly motivated Energetic, enthusiastic Talkative, risk takers Competitive, fast paced Like recognition Tell People
Social Style Distribution For Overall Population Analytical 26 % Driver 22 % Amiable 22 % Expressive 30 %
Perceptions Matter Your style is based on other people s s perceptions of you-- regardless of how much or little those perceptions match your own self - image
Style Facts Every human has a preferred style 75% will be different from yours Inflexibility causes problems, not Incompatibility Versatility is critical to success
Discussion on Defining Your Style 4 copies of Social Styles Handout Copy to Supervisor Copy to Peer Copy to someone you supervise
How does style affect an individual s approach to these activities? Information Gathering Decision Making Project Management
Versatility is Defined as A short term adaptation or flex of your style to meet the expectations of another person
Versatile Response to Others Observe Behavior Draw Conclusions based upon our own Style You have the freedom to choose Highly Versatile Response ACT ACT ACT ACT
Four Steps to Flexing (4) Evaluate (3) Implement your plan (2) Plan behaviors (1) Identify style (verbal and nonverbal)
Versatility Facts Versatility is situational Being versatile is a choice All of us can improve our versatility High versatility will benefit you professionally and personally
Style and Stress Stress causes relationship tension which leads to back-up behavior High versatility helps minimize relationship tension to reduce back-up behavior
Back-up Behavior Not a conscious choice Inflexible Non-negotiable
Backup Styles Task Avoiding Autocratic? 1 2 3 4 ANALYTICAL DRIVER Ask Tell AMIABLE EXPRESSIVE Acquiescing AMIABLE People EXPRESSIVE Attacking
When others are in Back-up Recognize the back-up behavior Avoid getting hooked Can you avoid doing business? 30
If you are in back-up think damage control Reschedule Avoid making the decision Don t trust your instincts 31
There is NO BEST STYLE PERCEPTIONS Matter Success requires VERSATILITY 1 2 3 4 5 Sharpen your versatility saw