{"id":548,"date":"2019-10-07T08:22:44","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T13:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=548"},"modified":"2019-10-07T08:22:44","modified_gmt":"2019-10-07T13:22:44","slug":"whats-your-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/whats-your-style\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Your Style?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For leaders, communication ranks near the top of the list of important skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember watching a documentary not long ago about identical twins. During the program two sisters were talking about how they knew each other so well they finished each other\u2019s sentences and they felt empathic sadness when the other did. They called it twin telepathy! Crazy how that happens. They are an example of two individuals who have eerily similar communication styles. They connect, understand, and relate to each other nearly perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other end of the spectrum, have you ever worked with someone whose style of communicating was very different than yours? It seems they operate on a different wavelength? They never see things the way you do, and they tackle issues very differently than you do? We have all probably been confronted with that reality\u2014 individuals we simply struggle to communicate with. Most likely they are not weird, mean, disingenuous, or inflexible. Likely they have a different style of communicating, and you haven\u2019t figured them out yet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Different strokes for different folks<\/h4>\n

Research shows that people communicate in immeasurably different ways. Some people focus on feelings, other people on actions and tasks. Some prefer to concentrate on the big vision and others on the process.<\/span>[1]<\/span><\/sup><\/span> None of these styles are wrong and all are important to the team, project, or organization. It\u2019s simply one of the wonderful ways that God made us\u2026 unique! (Psalm 139:14)<\/span><\/p>\n

Why it\u2019s important to understand communication styles<\/h4>\n

All people desire to be heard and listened to. It is a basic human desire. When others perceive you as a good communicator\u2014as someone who understands their thoughts and feelings\u2014something powerful happens. You often get looked to for leadership and, many times, more respect and attention come your way. Good communicators (speakers <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> listeners) are the type of individuals who people desire to know and follow. Thus, it is important as leaders to not only understand your personal style of communication but also to have an awareness of the styles of others, especially those you collaborate with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing your style<\/h4>\n

Typically, each person has their primary style of communication, which is the style they are most comfortable with, <\/span>but also have a backup style. Usually, this second style is dictated by our situation\u2014the demands of our particular job if at work, the demands of domestic life if at home, etc. In general, most people fluctuate between their primary and secondary styles, forming a hybrid style of their own.<\/span>[1] <\/span><\/sup><\/span>As a whole, the more we know about our personal style the better we can know ourselves and how we may need to adapt in order to effectively connect with others. Self-awareness in communication is a good thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four general styles<\/h4>\n

There are lots of tests and assessments out there that effectively help people identify and understand their communication style. In September, during the India retreat with the RW staff, we each completed <\/span>this assessment<\/span><\/a> by Office Dynamics International. I chose this assessment because it was simple, concise, and free to use. The assessment breaks down your results into one of four different colors.<\/span><\/p>\n