Reveive My Words

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Are you communicating in ways that your people - coworkers, clients, vendors... family - can receive your message?

We have different ways of receiving and processing information audibly.  A message that may seem crystal clear to you, may fall on "deaf ears" if it is not said in a way the receiver is willing to, or able to absorb.

One way to assess someone's preferred listening style is to understand their natural strengths, or behaviors they demonstrate on the job.  The DISC language can provide great insights.  Here are some tips from our Success With People Talent Assessments on how to speak to a:

Driven Person (High D):  Prefer summaries, results-oriented, efficient

• Hold them accountable to the bottom line
• Give them opportunities to talk
• Clearly explain the results you expect
• Train and require development of listening skills
• Negotiate any commitments one-on-one (back-up in-writing)
• Confront face-to-face when you disagree

Extrovert (High I):  Extrovert, wears their emotions, positive

• Expect their need for daily interaction
• Be open to a professional friendship with boundaries
• They want to talk with people
• Provide certain hours of "open door policy" to discuss any issues
• Help them develop their verbal skills and then identify opportunities for them to use them for mutual gain

Supporter (High S):  Natural listener, limited emotion,  

• Get to know them
• Be clear about their expectations of you and others
• Show them appreciation
• Avoid surprises, particularly negative ones
• Fully consider their opinions when they disagree
• Encourage them to contribute in meetings

Analyzer (High C): Skeptic, likes detail, avoids risk

• Clearly define your expectations of them
• Know specifically what they expect of you
• Agree upon procedures in writing
• Limit criticism of their work unless you can refer to their expectations, written responsibilities or a better way that is validated by a trusted source
• Confirm their work is being done correctly
• Encourage their contribution in meetings

Try communicating the way THEY want to receive information and you will better engage others to help them be successful.

P.S.  The Company Culture Challenge is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBook, and other top booksellers as an e-book. The hardcover version will be released in October. This is a strategic plan, how-to book for entrepreneurs, corporate managers and nonprofit leaders to transform their companies from good to Great (as Jim Collins would say).

Be an Intentional, Systematic, Servant Leader.

David Russell, CEO

Success With People, Inc.
MANAGEtoWIN, Inc.

MEETING IDEAS

The best way to understand how to communicate effectively with others is by having everyone in your company take our Talent Assessments, follow our instructions to confirm the conclusions, share them within their workgroups, and then review the key points regularly.    Although our Talent Assessments provide you with unique "WOW" insights into working with others, you can use the list above to confirm with members of your team how they prefer to receive information.  Here are some ideas: 1.  Share the lists above and ask people to identify which type of listening is their preferred method.   2.  Ask them to add anything to their list that would make it easier for them to comprehend what someone is saying, or their objective. 3.  Ask them to prioritize their list based on what is most significant to them and weight their list for importance. 4.  Share the lists so everyone has a copy.  Ask everyone to review the other person's list before communicating key information to another team members if they need to be reminded of the other person's listening preferences.  Ask people weekly for one month how this is helping them work more effectively together. If you need help, contact me.