Leveraging behavioral adaptation can make a huge difference in our communication success. We've already explored methods for identifying your behavior style and a way to get started on identifying style s of others. It's now time to wrap this up with how to apply what you've learned through adapting your style to communicate well with others.
Side note: if you haven't read the first two articles in the series, Know Thyself and Understand Others, go back and read those before proceeding.
In the previous article, I identified four primary behavioral styles. Let's take a look at the best ways to interact and respond to each of those.
When working with a Dominant individual, you want to be clear about expectations and rules and keep your conversation direct and to the point. Stay focused. Use a more rapid pace of speech and confident tone. Dominant individuals want to work with someone that they know can get the job done.
If you're engaging with an Influencer, you can relax and be a bit more informal than any of the other styles. Still keeping a fast pace, you want to infuse it with a friendliness and enthusiasm. Influencers love to work with others who, like them, will challenge the status quo and look for new and different ways accomplish projects.
Steady individuals prefer to work with individuals that are logical and systematic. While they appreciate friendliness, keep it minimal in any business engagements. Ensure you are rational in your reasoning and keep your pace slower and your tone softer when you are communicating with them.
When engaging with a Compliant individual, keep to the facts. They prefer others to communicate with them using decisiveness, details, and deadlines. Keep a slow, soft pace and clear, competent tone to ensure that they are better able to connect with what you are saying.
Using these tactics, you can greatly improve your communication with all types of individuals. It is important to remember that these are four specific behavioral styles and most people are a combination of multiple. If you want to learn more about better communication with blended styles or want even more information on those we've mentions, reach out to me and we'll take a deep dive into DISC.
Always remember, you can adapt your approach and behavior using the Platinum Rule of Communications: 'Do unto others as they would like done unto themselves.' Engaging with others in their terms can make a world of difference.
Implement this thought process in your next engagement and let me know how it goes. I want to hear from you!