1. Communication IQ: Strategies for a Communication Culture

2.  How many of you would say one of your biggest strengths is your gift of gab? Your Communication IQ is higher than your audit IQ?
It’s probably safe to say you’ve left at least one meeting, call, or customer visit and thought to yourself, “What the heck was that person even talking about?” Or, “Did s/he understand a word I was saying?”
Clear and effective communication is one of the easiest ways to reduce workplace stress, boost productivity, and build better relationships with your coworkers and customers. But dealing with communication styles different than your own can sometimes feel like trying to get across to an alien species.
“The differences between communication styles often cause more agony than they really need to.”
We all benefit from working with diverse people with different opinions. But to take advantage of everything they have to offer, we have to start speaking the same language.
Despite studies saying we spend up to 80% of our workday in meetings, on the phone, and responding to s, communication in the workplace isn’t always easy. Or enjoyable.
In fact, a 2016 Harvard Business Review article found that 69% of employees say they’re uncomfortable communicating with others. The majority of the pain of workplace encounters comes down to dealing with (and decoding) different communication styles. Dealing with people who speak differently than you is straight-up stressful. Not only does it waste time with all the clarifying back-and-forths, but it often leaves us feeling upset, angry, and overwhelmed.
So how do we try and sort through the mess of workplace communication? Is it worth the investment for an auditor to add communication IQ to his/her portfolio?
I believe it is.
Let’s start with the objectives we’ll meet today, then jump into increasing all of our communication IQ.

3. Session Learning Objectives
 This interactive session will provide tools for creating a culture of communication by focusing on these learning objectives:
Awareness of different communication styles
Understand your own communication style
Identify and respond to other styles for understanding
Strategies that promote clear, effective communication which are crucial for your audit portfolio and investment for your success
Awareness of different communication styles
Understand your own communication style
Identify and respond to other styles for understanding
Strategies that promote clear, effective communication which are crucial for your audit portfolio and investment for your success

4. Multitude of Different “Styles”
While everyone communicates differently, most of us fall into a few different buckets when it comes to our preferred communication style. But even understanding those styles is a challenge in itself!
Do a basic Google search of communication styles and you’re bound to come up with a few takes. There are the classics: assertive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and passive. Then you have a more linguistic approach, which places competitive against affiliative communicators and direct versus indirect. Finally, there’s even something called DISC (which stands for Dominant, Influencer, Steady, and Conscientious).
There are so many “styles” out there and at the end of it, they are pretty similar. I use several of these in my work, and for today’s purpose, we’re going to work with one of them that most believe is easiest to identify in ourselves, others and use quick strategies to increase clear communication.
Passive, Aggressive, Passive-aggressive, Assertive
Controller, Promoter, Analyzer, Supporter
Introvert, Extrovert
DiSC (Dominant, Influencer, Steady, Conscientious)
And more!

5. Which DiSC Style Are You?
Have you ever wondered why connecting with some people is easier than others? Disc is a simple tool that helps you understand yourself and others better. We all have different priorities and preferences that differ which can make collaborating difficult, which can lead to conflict.
Everything DiSC® is a simple tool that offers personalized information to help you understand yourself and others better. The DiSC model shows four basic behavioral styles that describe how people approach their work and relationships.
Before discussing, let’s review the cornerstone principles:
All disc styles are equally as valuable
Your style is influenced by other factors such as life experiences, education and maturity
Understanding yourself is the first step to becoming more effective with others
Learning about others style can help you understand their priorities and how they may differ than your own
Can help you build more effective relationships
It’s important to remember that this tool isn’t meant to label people. Instead, it’s a way to help us understand their needs.
There are no good or bad styles
All styles have strengths and limitations
Everyone is a mixture of styles, so it may be difficult to read people correctly.
Think of your actual behavior.
Look for:
body language
tone of voice and expression
choice of words
For Step One, consider whether you are more fast-paced and outspoken or more cautious and reflective. (Pause to allow participants to reflect.)
In Step Two, consider whether you are more questioning and skeptical or more accepting and warm. (Pause to allow participants to reflect.)

7. Facilitate discussion by using questions such as:
What are your first impressions of your Style? Do you think it’s just like you, not like you at all or not sure? Why?
What priorities shape your work experience?
What do you enjoy about collaborating?
What drains your energy when trying to collaborate?
There are several different styles:
Which one is harder for you during collaboration?
Which is easier?

8. Communicating Across Styles
Take the time to people-read
Everyone uses each style, one is just more preferred and natural
Self-awareness is the key
Make adjustments to other’s style for successful communication
Everyone uses each style, one is just more preferred and natural
Take the time to people-read
Self-awareness is the key
Make adjustments to other’s style for successful communication

9. D Strategies
D to D Focus on dialogue Don’t push Listen, don’t interrupt
D to i Well-liked, Appreciate enthusiasm Friendly small talk
D to C Objective, fact-based Give time for action and to analyze
D to S Safe environment Show concern Seek ideas/opinions
D to D: Focus on dialogue rather than talking over each other
Don’t push back too forcefully in they get assertive
Listen to their side first without interrupting to offer your own ideas
D to i: Find ways to show they are well-liked and appreciated
Avoid dampening their enthusiasm
Engage in friendly small talk before launching into the business
D to C: Talk to them about the objective, fact-based aspects of a idea and project
Avoid pressing them for immediate action
Give them time to analyze their options
D to S: Provide a safe environment so they feel comfortable speaking up
Show concern for their feelings rather than just pushing for results
Be proactive in seeking their ideas and opinions

10. i Strategies
i to i Join in fun Keep focused Consider big pic and details
i to D Minimize small talk Don’t take personally People focus=results
i to C Skip the small talk Let them set pace Stick to the facts
i to S Upbeat- share ideas Avoid pushing Collaborate, don’t overwhelm
i to i: Join them in looking for fun, collaborative projects
Enjoy the social aspects of your work but keep each other focused on the task
Work together to consider both big pictures and the details
i to D: Minimize small talk and dig into business
Avoid taking it personally when they ignore your efforts to be friendly and go directly to the topic at hand
Show them how people-focused approach can bring bottom line results
i to C: Skip the small talk and focus on the task
Let them set the pace rather than expecting them to be lively and fast
Stick to the facts rather than trying to use enthusiasm to influence them
i to S: Use your upbeat approach to encourage them to share ideas
Avoid pushing them beyond their comfort zone and toward your adventurous plan
Collaborate but avoid overwhelming them with your energy and chattiness

11. S to D Talk big picture Speak up early Need for immediate results
S Strategies
S to D Talk big picture Speak up early Need for immediate results
S to i Interest in personal connections Join collaboration Respect optimism
S to C Focus on logical ideas Take time to familiarize Don’t be put off by detachment
S to S Avoid hiding what you think Acknowledge issues Work collaboratively
S to D: Talk to them about the big picture and the bottom line rather than getting caught up in the details
Speak up with your ideas and opinions eaerly in the conversation
Acknowldege their desire for immediate results
S to i: Recognize the value of their interest in personal connections
Join their collaborative efforts to show that you don’t discount the benefits of teamwork
Show respect for their spontaneity, high energy and Optimism
S to C: Focus on logical ideas and rational plans
Allow time to get to know each other better to avoid misunderstandings
Respect their preference to work independently and don’t be put off by their more detached approach.
S to S: Avoid being so accommodating to each other that you hide what you’re really thinking
Don’t let your shared diplomacy keep you from acknowledging real issues
Avoid coming across as overly reserved and work collaboratively with them when possible

12. C Strategies
C to D Big picture, not details Clarification Can move more quickly
C to i Value team spirit Respect spontaneity Positive focus
C to C Get to know each other Objective, fact-based Respect independence, speak when need more
C to S Show interest in opinions Ask more than once Acknowledge issues
C to D: Big picture and bottom line instead of caught in the details
Seek clarification you need, but acknowledge their desire for immediate results
Show them you can move quickly when necessary
C to i: Recognize the value of their interest in team spirit
Show respect for their spontaneity, high energy and optimism
Focus on the positive and avoid appearing aloof
C to C: Allow time to get to know each other better to avoid misunderstandings
Talk to them about the objective fact-based aspects of ideas and projects
Respect their preference to work independently, but let them know when you need more communication to keep projects on track
C to S: Avoid coming across as too detached, and work to gain their trust by showing interest in their opinions
Keep in mind you may have to ask a few times before they tell you thoughts/ concerns
Don’t let you shared diplomacy keep you from acknowledging real issues

13. Communication IQ Culture: A Success Investment
In order to diversify your portfolio for success as an auditor when thinking about communication, be the auditor in the room who has strong Communication IQ. Not to stereotype, but generally when people think of high IQ in auditors, they think math, accounting, formulas, etc. Not necessarily communication. So, take these keys and the strategies you learned about, and put them into practice. It’s one thing to be an outstanding auditor, but an outstanding auditor with excellent communication? That’s what set you apart.
Communication works for those who work at it
The key to personal and career success is the human connection: communication
In teamwork, silence isn’t golden, it’s deadly
Most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t being said