From you V. Me to We: Seven Strategies to Talk to your Communication Opposite

Posted on 25th January 2011 in Communication

From You v. Me to We: Seven Strategies to Talk to Your Communication Opposite

When Jodi said the headphones cost a fortune, Mike was confused. The price tag was 0 – expensive, but a fortune? Jodi speaks in superlatives, and superlatives don’t compute in Mike’s literal brain.

Rory went off on two tangents before returning to his original point. As a systematic communicator, Carlos missed Rory’s conversational detour and was so lost he missed Rory’s point.

What’s going on? What we see here is a failure to communicate due to seemingly incompatible communication styles.

Research pertaining to communication style uncovers four different communication styles that are determined by two factors – pace and people-orientation. “Visionaries” are fast-paced, people-oriented communicators. “Achievers” are fast-paced task-oriented communicators. “Reflectives” are slower-paced, task-oriented communicators. “Likeables” are slower-paced, people-oriented communicators. Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses. And like oil and vinegar, they don’t blend perfectly, but they do complement each other.

Communication skill training is never complete without analyzing communication styles and learning how to communicate effectively with different personality tendencies. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you bridge the communication style gap.

1, Ask the question, what’s my communication style? Take a simple communication test to find out.

Start your communication style development with yourself and your own conversational style. I offer a free communication style quiz on my website at: www.speakstrong.com. It’s also available in my book PowerPhrases! http://www.speakstrong.com/PowerPhrases!.html  Read more...

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Communicating Decisions – Seven Things to Share

Posted on 23rd January 2011 in Communication

Leaders know that communication is one of their key roles. In fact whenever I have worked with a leadership team or group the subject of communication always comes up. People want to know how to communicate more effectively, and why people don’t always seem to hear when they do communicate.

In those very same organizations people wish the leaders would communicate more often and/or more clearly. They often feel “in the dark” about decisions, plans and future direction.

In defense of the leaders, most often they do communicate, but often not very effectively. In fact, by definition, if the followers are not clear about what they have read or heard, then the communication hasn’t been effective.

One of the areas where the gap is widest is in communicating decisions. Decisions are made (or followers think or assume they have been made), but the communication of those decisions is ineffective or incomplete.

The List

In working with a Management Team recently we examined this challenge and found a document that outlined some things to consider when communicating decisions. What follows are seven questions (with some commentary) to help you successfully communicate decisions within your organization (and beyond).

What are the key points or major messages you want to share when communicating the decision? Outline these points ahead of time. If each member of a leadership team is communicating individually, creating a common list of key messages is even more important. What do you really need to communicate about this decision?  Read more...

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From you V. Me to We: Seven Strategies to Talk to your Communication Opposite

Posted on 12th April 2010 in Communication

From You v. Me to We: Seven Strategies to Talk to Your Communication Opposite

When Jodi said the headphones cost a fortune, Mike was confused. The price tag was $350 – expensive, but a fortune? Jodi speaks in superlatives, and superlatives don’t compute in Mike’s literal brain.

Rory went off on two tangents before returning to his original point. As a systematic communicator, Carlos missed Rory’s conversational detour and was so lost he missed Rory’s point.

What’s going on? What we see here is a failure to communicate due to seemingly incompatible communication styles.

Research pertaining to communication style uncovers four different communication styles that are determined by two factors – pace and people-orientation. “Visionaries” are fast-paced, people-oriented communicators. “Achievers” are fast-paced task-oriented communicators. “Reflectives” are slower-paced, task-oriented communicators. “Likeables” are slower-paced, people-oriented communicators. Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses. And like oil and vinegar, they don’t blend perfectly, but they do complement each other.

Communication skill training is never complete without analyzing communication styles and learning how to communicate effectively with different personality tendencies. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you bridge the communication style gap.

1, Ask the question, what’s my communication style? Take a simple communication test to find out.

Start your communication style development with yourself and your own conversational style. I offer a free communication style quiz on my website at: www.speakstrong.com. It’s also available in my book PowerPhrases! http://www.speakstrong.com/PowerPhrases!.html  Read more...

comments: 0 » tags: , , , , ,

Communicating Decisions – Seven Things to Share

Posted on 12th April 2010 in Communication

Leaders know that communication is one of their key roles. In fact whenever I have worked with a leadership team or group the subject of communication always comes up. People want to know how to communicate more effectively, and why people don’t always seem to hear when they do communicate.

In those very same organizations people wish the leaders would communicate more often and/or more clearly. They often feel “in the dark” about decisions, plans and future direction.

In defense of the leaders, most often they do communicate, but often not very effectively. In fact, by definition, if the followers are not clear about what they have read or heard, then the communication hasn’t been effective.

One of the areas where the gap is widest is in communicating decisions. Decisions are made (or followers think or assume they have been made), but the communication of those decisions is ineffective or incomplete.

The List

In working with a Management Team recently we examined this challenge and found a document that outlined some things to consider when communicating decisions. What follows are seven questions (with some commentary) to help you successfully communicate decisions within your organization (and beyond).

What are the key points or major messages you want to share when communicating the decision? Outline these points ahead of time. If each member of a leadership team is communicating individually, creating a common list of key messages is even more important. What do you really need to communicate about this decision?  Read more...

comments: 0 » tags: , , , ,