C O M M U N I C A T I O N S T Y L E S

Purpose Learning Outcomes To educate students on the four prominent communication styles and help them identify their own so that they will be able to communicate more effectively with others Learning Outcomes Students will become aware of different communication styles, identify their personal style, and gain skills in recognizing other people’s styles of communicating

Literature Review Streeck, J. and Jordan, J.S. Projection and anticipation: The forward-looking nature of embodied communication. Discourse Process 46(2/3), p. 93-102. Hayes, A.F. Exploring the forms of self-censorship: On the spiral of silence and the use of opinion expression avoidance strategies. Journal of Communication 4(4), p. 785 – 802. Honeycutt, J. and Choi, C. Communication apprehension and imagined interactions. Conference Paper – National Communication Association 2008. Hanke, S. Communication styles: What is your impact on others? Your Workplace 11(4). Felder, R. Matters of style. ASEE Prism 6(4), p. 18 – 23.

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Styles Exercise Individual Small group Large group Communication Inventory Small group Scenario identification Large group Communication scenes

Communication Inventory X Z W Y 1. disputes the issue unruffled focused sociable 2. will take a chance flexible rational sympathetic 3. spur-of-the-moment prudent composed extraverted 4. directs others asks pensive lively 5. decisive ponders diligent gregarious 6. takes control collaborates independent amicable 7. self-assured noncommittal orderly demonstrative 8. convincing open-minded thorough free-thinking 9. will fight for will defend effective good-hearted 10. wants to win hopeful pragmatic young-at-heart 11. eager diplomatic systematic innovative 12. confident accepting pains taking high-strung 13. dominant mild plans talkative 14. insistent sensible exact helpful 15. urgent constant conventional good-natured

The Four Thinking/Planning Doing/Directing Supporting/Collaborating Visioning/Creating Thinking/planning – Detail-orinented, logical thinkers, and analyze other and situations. Work best alone to come up with solutions, therefore they may take more time to make a decision and take action. Doing/Directing – Take change and want control of themselves, others, and situations. They are task-oriented, drivers, and are only focused on the end goal. Supporting/Collaborating – Easy-going, relationship-oriented, and enjoy working with people to work toward consensus. Visioning/Creating – Outgoing, thrive on change, enjoy meeting people. they get their energy from others and work best when brainstorming with others to make a decision and take actions.

Small Group Exercise Which style is George? George can quickly tell what’s going on in any situation and is not afraid to speak out about what should be done. He doesn’t follow the latest fad, but wears clothes that are practical. When you first meet George, you notice he is friendly. Later you realize he hasn’t told you much about his personal life. You go out to lunch with George. He orders steak medium rare, but the meat is served nearly raw. George shouts for the waiter, and complains loudly. The waiter apologizes and takes the steak back to be cooked longer, but George doesn’t want to wait. He demands to see the manager and tells her in the future he’ll eat elsewhere. You both grab a lunch at a drive-through and are back at the office in time for George’s next meeting. Which style is George?

Large Group Exercise

Wrap-Up Application Discussion Q&A