Leadership Pit Stop:
Business Leadership Coaching on the Go

Communication Styles

An effective leader recognizes there is more than just his or her way of communicating. To influence and motivate others, shape your message so that it uses language and concepts that appeals to the other person’s preferred communication style. The analogy is traveling to a foreign country where you don’t speak the native tongue. You will only be able to communicate effectively by adapting and using the language of the other. Same in the business world.

Research has shown our individual communication style is defined by the different degrees of preference we have for the following four basic communication styles.

results-oriented – values moving things forward and getting results. Likes to use a direct style to get to the bottom line. Prefers to be given the headline and will decide how much additional information is needed to move forward. The key to communicating with this style is "get to the point.”

relationship-oriented – believes an enthusiastic, collective effort can deliver phenomenal results. Seeks to build strong work relationships to ensure the most creative and energetic effort. Views conversations and discussions as the primary means for building these connections. The key to communicating with this style is "keep it positive.”

stability-oriented – seeks to foster a work environment that is stable and relatively, if not completely, free of conflict. Will withhold opinion or ideas if the input might disrupt the group’s progress or consensus. Prefers an indirect communication style. The key to communicating with this style is "keep it non-confrontational.”

quality-oriented - prefers to take a systematic, methodical approach to work. Values quality, accuracy, and thoroughness. Has high standards for own work and that of others. Prefers to share as much information about an issue as possible. The key to communicating with this style is "keep it factual.”

Influence others by "speaking their language.”