Communication Styles Questionnaire - H2 Training

H2: Putting the ‘How to’ into personal effectiveness

What Kind of Communicator Are You? As far back as Hippocrates’ time (460-370 B.C.) people have been trying to understand human behaviour by characterizing personality types and temperaments. The value of self-assessments is that they give a greater level of self-awareness, which is the first step towards self-management and control. They can also to help depersonalize conflict in interpersonal relationships - you realise that a person probably isn’t trying to be difficult, but perhaps that they: • • • •

Need different or more information than you Are so focused on the task that they forget the ‘niceties’ Would like to work faster but not at the risk of damaging the relationships needed to get the job done Understand that there is a job to be done, but it can only be done right with the appropriate information, which takes time to collect.

Therefore understanding communication styles can help to resolve conflict in teams when used appropriately. Very rarely are conflicts true personality issues - usually they are issues of style, information needs or focus. Exercise This is an informal self-analysis tool that is designed to determine how you usually communicate in everyday work situations. For the following pairs of statements, tick the one the most closely describes your behaviour or actions: 1a

I am usually open to getting to know people and establishing relationships with them

1b

I am not usually open to getting to know people and establishing relationships with them

2a

I usually react slowly and deliberately

2b

I usually react quickly and spontaneously

3a

I am usually protective over other people’s use of my time

3b

I am usually open to other people’s use of my time

4a

I usually introduce myself at meetings and networking events

4b

I usually wait for others to introduce themselves at meetings and networking events

5a

I usually focus conversations on the interests of the people involved, even if it means straying from the business or subject at hand

5b

I usually focus conversations on the tasks, issues, business or subject at hand

6a

I am not usually assertive and I can be patient with others’ slow pace

6b

I am usually assertive and at times I can be impatient with others’ slow pace

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7a

I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence

7b

I usually make decisions based on feelings, experiences or relationships

8a

I usually contribute frequently to group conversations

8b

I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations

9a

I usually prefer to work with others, providing support when possible

9b

I usually prefer to work independently or to determine how others are involved

10a

I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly

10b

I usually make empathetic statements or directly expressed opinions

11a

I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts or results

11b

I usually focus primarily on people, interactions and feelings

12a

I usually use gestures, facial expressions and voice intonations to emphasize points

12b

I usually do not use gestures, facial expressions and voice intonations to emphasize points

13a

I usually accept other people’s points of view, feelings and concerns

13b

I usually reject other people’s points of view, feelings and concerns

14a

I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner

14b

I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic or unpredictable manner

15a

I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private, sharing only when I wish to do so

15b

I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feeling and thoughts with others

16a

I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations

16b

I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships

17a

I am usually responsive to others’ agendas, interests and concerns

17b

I am usually directed towards my own agendas, interests and concerns

18a

I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly

18b

I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly


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Once you have finished and you are happy with your answers, transfer your ticks to the grid below. Then total up the total number of ticks for each column.

P

T

D

I

1a

1b

2b

2a

3b

3a

4a

4b

5a

5b

6b

6a

7b

7a

8a

8b

9a

9b

10b

10a

11b

11a

12a

12b

13a

13b

14b

14a

15b

15a

16a

16b

17a

17b

18b

18a

Total

Total

Total

Total

Now compare the ‘P’ column with the ‘T’ column and circle the letter that has the highest total. Then compare the ‘D’ column with the ‘I’ column and circle the letter that has the highest total. If you circled…

You tend towards being a…

T and D

Controller/Director

P and D

Promoter/Socializer

P and I

Supporter/Relater

T and I

Analyser/Thinker


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