Communication Styles Part 2

Understanding your preferred communication and DiSC style can help you improve relationships 

Your communication is not just what you say, but includes your actions, reactions, and more. The communication styles referenced in Part 1 of this series, “What I learned about communication from a Zubma class”, highlighted behaviors that influence communication. 

What does your communication style reveal about you? 

Because your behaviors are consistent or habitual, you have a preferred way of communicating with others, and others have predictable ways of communicating too.

Wouldn’t you like to predict how people will react to you?

Our communication preferences or styles are consistent in most settings. For example, if you like to deliver and receive information in short chunks, you will have this expectation whether you are at work or home. 

Being aware of your preferred style can help you communicate those preferences so others will know how you like to receive information. Consequently, you can make some predictions about how others will react to your preferred style. In return, when you understand someone else’s preferred style, you can make predictions about the best ways to communicate with them. 

Why does knowing your communication style help you communicate better?

Knowledge about your communication style and learning about someone else’s style can help you:

• minimize conflicts in the workplace or personal relationships. 
• exercise the empathy muscle that indicates you have taken the time to think about someone else’s need. People who actively seek to understand the needs of others are more engaged and intentional about relationships building.

• work more efficiently because you understand how others want or need information delivered. 
• boost morale. When individuals take the time to learn preferred styles of other team members and use adaptive strategies, team members perceive they are valued. Feeling valued leads to better morale, higher levels of satisfaction and retention.  More than half the employees in a survey cited by Forbes claimed they would seek other employment for a better culture and career growth opportunities. Employees are less likely to quit when there is frequent communication that includes messages about their contributions. 

How can I learn more about my communication style and preferences?

If you want to increase your influence by up-skilling your communication, (self-awareness is the first step to change), you should begin by assessing your current practices. You will find a variety of assessments to help you do this, but to ensure the instrument measures are valid, seek out ones that have been validated by researchers.

If you are looking for ways to increase your self-awareness so that you can improve your communication, I recommend taking Wiley’s Everything DiSC. (Yes, the “i” is lower case on purpose to distinguish it from other instruments.) This instrument measures behaviors, is validated and reliable, can be taken online, and provides a comprehensive report of your styles and preferences.  Myers-Briggs (MBIT) is another validated instrument that enhances self-awareness and, like DiSC, measures preferences. Because DiSC is easier to remember and apply, I offer this brief explanation about DiSC styles with strategies for ways you can relate better to others. If you want to go deeper, check out this offer to take the official Wiley Everything DiSC Workplace assessment and receive individualized coaching. 

What is your DiSC style?

If you have not taken Wiley’s Everything DiSC assessment, you can identify your style by answering the following questions:

Do you lean toward being fast-paced and outspoken or cautious and reflective? 

Draw a circle. 

Put a dot at the top of the circle if you answered, “fast paced and outspoken.” 

Put a dot at the bottom of the circle if you answered, “cautious and reflective.”

Do you tend to be more questioning and skeptical or accepting and warm?

Put the dot on the left side of the circle if you are questioning and skeptical. 

Put a dot on the right side of the circle if you are accepting and warm. 

If your two dots are in the top left, you are in the “D” quadrant.

If your two dots are in the top right, you are in the “i” quadrant.

If your two dots are in the bottom right, you are in the “S” quadrant.

If your two dots are in the bottom left, you are in the “C” quadrant.

Review the descriptions below that relate to your style and identify someone you know whose behavior resembles the other styles.

D Individuals who are in the “D” quadrant are direct, firm, results-oriented, forceful. They want immediate results and tend to challenge themselves and other people. They often fear loss of control and therefore, can be vulnerable. 

If you know someone with these behaviors, you can adapt to their communication style by making efficient use of their time, focusing on the topic at hand, emphasizing the big picture rather than overanalyzing. 

i   Those who are in the “I” quadrant tend to be expressive, enthusiastic, collaborative, and want to take action. They fear disapproval or loss of influence more than anything. 

When communicating with them, be open to collaboration and recognize the value of their energy and willingness to share ideas. You can adapt to their communication style by being open to creative solutions, staying optimistic, and expecting spontaneity. 

S If you are an “S” or know someone in this quadrant, they prioritize giving support and maintaining stability. They often show appreciation and value cooperation. They are concerned when a change is eminent or there is a loss of harmony among team members.

When you desire to work effectively with the “S” style, respect their cautious pace, show warmth and concern, be open to collaboration with them and others. Because they are cautious, negotiate timelines that meet everyone’s needs.

C The “C” style values logic and has high expectations for accuracy, certainty. Therefore, they need a great deal of evidence before making a decision, and they tend to be more resistant to change. One of their greatest fears is being wrong or being criticized. 

To work effectively with the “C” style, avoid pressuring them for an immediate decision, anticipate skepticism or questions, and discuss fact-based aspects of ideas or projects. Most importantly, give them time to process information or analyze and help them by negotiating reasonable timelines and by focusing on essentials. 

How can you adapt to other styles? Here are a few quick tips:

D – deliver information in bullets; show competence and common sense

i – show openness to their ideas; be upbeat; reassure them

S – be dependable and sincere; show concern

C – show evidence; ask questions to ensure quality

Improve relationships and increase your influence

Your increased self-awareness coupled with your intention to improve your communication with these strategies, should raise your level of influence. Knowing someone else’s DiSC style can help you make predictions about their behaviors so you can adjust your communication style to meet their needs and yours.

If you want to go deeper and gain a better understanding of ways your communication preferences impact others and learn more about ways to respond to other styles so that you can improve relationships, contact me at [email protected] to take the official Wiley Everything DiSC Workplace assessment and receive individualized coaching.