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Communication: It’s a Matter of Style by Medical Staffing Resources
JCHA HEALTHLINE-NEWS, November 2008
Why can you easily communicate with some people while others are always a challenge?! Is it possible to improve your communication skills and build stronger relationships? Yes!
Each of us has a unique behavioral style. These styles offer a distinct way of thinking, feeling and acting.
When you speak with someone who is motivated by the same factors as you, your communication skills are more effective. However, when you try to communicate with someone motivated by different factors, you may not be clearly heard.
To improve your communication skills, first you must identify your own behavioral style so you are able to understand how you communicate with others.
§ DiSC Profiling System - Four Dimensions of Behavior o Dominance – direct, task-oriented o Influencing – people-oriented o Steadiness – people-oriented o Compliance – direct, task-oriented
Although we all exhibit characteristics of each of the styles from time to time, most people possess strengths in only one or two styles.
§ Dominance o goal-oriented o thrives on challenge o interested in hearing the bottom-line, not the rest of the story o may overstep authority and exhibit an argumentative attitude. o motivated by new challenges o handles a crisis situation well o works diligently to overcome obstacles
§ Influencing o prefers involvement with people rather than tasks o optimistic o great motivator o inattentive to detail o not a strong listener o strong verbal communications skills o will talk with almost anyone who is willing to listen
§ Steadiness o prefers a routine work schedule o does not like change unless it is absolutely necessary o good listener and a team player o sensitive to criticism o has difficulty establishing priorities o excels in a team environment
§ Compliance o task-oriented o prefers order and procedures o detailed o conscientious - sets high personal standards o may get bogged down in details o the “anchor of reality” for the team.
Once you understand your own style, you must learn to identify the styles of those with whom you communicate. DiSC teaches us the Platinum Rule, “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” When you learn to modify your own communication style and speak the language of others, your needs will be met and the interaction will be much smoother.
For example, when communicating with a Compliance style, the Influencing style must be well-informed. The Compliance style will question the data and want to be presented with factual information. An individual possessing the Dominance style must speak slowly and make an effort to listen when communicating with the Steadiness style. The Dominance style must ask a lot of questions and prepare the Steadiness style for any upcoming changes.
Behavioral assessment does not stop at communication. Jobs require: · Specific skills · Educational training · Particular behavioral characteristics
When one’s behavioral style does not match the behavioral requirement of the position, an uphill struggle results. Instead of using energy to complete the task, energy is being expended to bring about a behavioral change; this diminishes the efficiency in completing the assigned task.
For instance, if a person who instinctively avoids confrontation and routine work is hired as an insurance collector, a high level of stress and excessive energy drain may be experienced. Expected performance standards may be consistently difficult and out of reach. “Putting square pegs in round holes,” so to speak, is one of the main causes of low employee morale.
On the other hand, when a person with a particular behavioral style is hired to do a job that requires the matching behavioral style, energy is focused on completing the task at hand. It has been proven that, when a person’s behavioral style matches that of the job, he or she will be less stressed, more motivated, and experience less severe and less frequent illness, resulting in less sick days – a plus for all! That person will also enjoy doing his or her job more, because their motivational needs are being met. Job satisfaction naturally leads to increased enthusiasm and higher productivity, resulting in greater success for both the employee and the organization.
As you can see, understanding the “Four Dimensions of Behavior” and how they are relevant to your behavior, your employees’ behavior and the requirements of each position is a key factor in effectively hiring and communicating with your employees. Remember, successful communication is not only a matter of content; it is also a matter of STYLE.
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