A huge component of poor performance is poor communication. You might think you are communicating your expectations well, but if you are only speaking in your primary communication style, you are probably only fully connecting with 1-out-of-3 people in your life.
I previously shared some thoughts for Christians to share their faith in Jesus in a communication style that will connect with all other communication styles. Here are some thoughts for improving communication effectiveness at work, home and school, which will lead to improved performance as well.
HOW TO TALK THEIR TALK AT WORK
Doer
- Communicate in bullet points
- Training: give them the quick-start guide
- Strength: implementation
- Position: service calls on products
- Focus: bottom line
Planner
- Communicate with detailed instructions
- Training: give them the full training manual
- Strength: logistics
- Position: back office work (accounting, billing, HR records)
- Focus: milestones with due dates
People
- Encourage teamwork
- Training: take them to a seminar
- Strength: people resources
- Position: sales / customer service
- Focus: milestones with due dates
Vision
- Show them the big picture
- Training: verbally explain to the procedures
- Strength: brainstorming
- Position: customer service / R&D
- Focus: boundaries
HOW TO TALK THEIR TALK AT HOME
Doer
- Chores: assign small chunks with a deadline
- Tell them the bottom line
Planner
- Chores: work with an organized schedule
- Let them come up with the plan
People
- Chores: Work together
- Show them what to do, don’t tell them what to do
Vision
- Chores: start with the end in mind
- Give them boundaries
I shared some other ways to connect with people of different communication styles in an earlier post. You can read that here.
Craig T. Owens 