1. Effective Communication Styles UWS Mini - Aspire Program September 2008
INSPIRING TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

2. What is Communication? Communication is a process by which we:
Give
Receive or
Exchange
Information with others. It can involve:
Speaking
Listening
Writing
Body Language
Speaker
Encoding
Message
Decoding
Listener
Source: “Communicating at work”

3. Why Do We Communicate? To gain credibility
To help others and receive help
To receive or give information
To form relationships
To express ourselves
To give feedback
To complain
To resolve conflict
To understand and be understood

4. Types of Communication
Written
Verbal
Non Verbal
Newsletters
Voic
Body Language
Reports
Unplanned Chats
Eye Contact
Forms
Meetings
Gut Feel s
Conversations
Letters
Interviews
Memos
Fax
SMS Messages

5. Communicating with “D” Behaviour
High D’s want others to be direct, straightforward, and open to their need for results.
Try to:
Make communication brief and to the point
Respect their need for autonomy
Be clear about rules and expectations
Let them initiate
Show your competence
Stick to the topic
Show independence
Eliminate time-wasters

6. Communicating with “D” Behaviour
Be prepared for:
Blunt, demanding approaches
Lack of empathy
Lack of sensitivity
Little social interaction

7. Communicating with “i” Behaviour
High I’s want others to be friendly and to recognise their contributions.
Try to:
Approach them formally
Be relaxed and sociable
Let them verbalise thoughts and feelings
Keep the conversation light
Provide written details
Give public recognition for individual accomplishments
Use humour

8. Communicating with “i” Behaviour
Be prepared for:
Attempts to persuade or influence others
A need for the limelight
Overestimation of self and others
Overselling ideas
Vulnerability to perceived rejection

9. Communicating with “S” Behaviour
High S’s want others to be relaxed, agreeable, cooperative, and appreciative.
Try to
Be logical and systematic in your approach
Provide a consistent and secure environment
Let them know how things will be done
Use sincere appreciation
Show their importance to the organisation
Let them adapt slowly to change

10. Communicating with “S” Behaviour
Be prepared for:
Friendliness to colleagues and supervisors
Resistance to change
Difficulty identifying priorities
Difficulty with deadlines

11. Communicating with “C” Behaviour
High C’s want others to minimise socialising, give details, and value accuracy.
Try to:
Give clear expectations and deadlines
Show dependability
Demonstrate loyalty
Be tactful and emotionally reserved
Allow precedent to be a guide
Be precise and focussed
Value high standards

12. Communicating with “C” Behaviour
Be prepared for:
Discomfort with ambiguity
Resistance to vague or general information
Desire to double-check
Little need for affiliation with others

13. Behaviours in the Extreme
In Normal Situations
Under Pressure
Extreme Behaviour D
In charge Decisive
Demands
Leaves I
Persuasive
Enthusiastic
Oversells
Gives up Pouts S
Supportive Friendly
Gives in
Acts hurt
Accuses C
Careful
Quiet
Is indecisive
Gets emotional Attacks

14. Communication Filters & Obstacles
VALUES
BELIEFS
‘MINDSET’
WHAT WE SAY + DO
(+ THINK)
COMMUNICATION
FILTERS
EFFECTIVE OR
INEFFECTIVE
RESULTS

15. Some Common Communication Filters
Prejudice
Stress
Stereotyping
Generalising
Assumptions
Inattention
Thinking we already “know” what the person will say/do
Poor listening skills
Short attention span
“selective” hearing
Fixed ideas
Preconceptions
Tendency to jump to conclusions

16. Active Listening
“It is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”
ACTIVE LISTENING ATTITUDES:
Listening is as powerful as speech
Listening saves time
Listening is important and worthwhile with everyone
Anonymous
Source: Crystal Clear Communications, Kris Cole

17. Why Don’t We Listen Better?
We think we have something better to say ourselves
We are given no reason to listen
We think we know what they will say
There are too many distractions
We are busy listening to our own thoughts
Our minds are closed
We mentally criticise the message/speaker
We would rather be talking so we feel more involved and in control
Source: Crystal Clear Communications, Kris Cole

18. Conclusion
“Communication isn’t about us feeding others information or about others pouring their points into our heads. It’s about relationships and understanding expectations.
Communication is a dance – something that happens between people. Every dance is different and every dancer is different.”
Kris Cole Australian Author

19. Avril Henry Managing Director Level 4, Suite 4
Avril Henry Managing Director Level 4, Suite Miller Street Pyrmont NSW 2009 Phone: Fax: Web: