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Our accomplishments in the workplace often depend on
how well we can communicate our needs and objectives to others. Truly
effective communication requires an understanding of other people’s
styles as well as our own. Take this quiz from How to Become a Better
Negotiator by James G. Patterson to determine your personal dominant communication
style – Listener, Creator, Doer or Thinker – then read on for
some insight into each style.
Communication Style Quiz:
Read each phrase and check the word that best describes you. Then count
up the check marks in each of the four columns and consult the Scoring
Key to find determine your dominant style.
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TOTALS: |
I = ______ |
II = ______ |
III = ______ |
IV = ______ |
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Listener |
Creator |
Doer |
Thinker |
Scoring Key
7 or more = Strong Preference
5-6 = Moderate Preference
0-2 = Low PreferenceCharacteristics of Each Communication Style
I. Listener
People oriented
Believe there is more than one method to achieve the same results
Demand a voice in decisions that affect them
Place a high premium on relationships
Can be slow decision makers
Don’t delegate well
Seek security; don’t take risks
Conflict: Mainly with Doers
Advice: Try to be more assertive. Focus less on relationships and more
on tasks. Learn to make observations based on facts, not subjective judgments.
II. Creator
Enthusiastic, excitement driven
Like public speaking and attention
May be too talkative
Persuasive and optimistic
Creative
Good sense of humor
Can be impulsive, make snap decisions
Have problems following through with an idea
Conflict: Mainly with Thinkers
Advice: Slow down. Try to be less intense
III. Doer
Pragmatic
Assertive
Results oriented
Competitive
Competent
Very verbal
Excellent problem solver
Risk taker
Can be arrogant and domineering
Can be poor listener and impatient
Conflict: Mainly with Listeners
Advice: Slow down. Count to ten before responding. Learn to listen more.
Work at showing your feelings, being more interested in relationships
and being more open.
IV. Thinker
Detail oriented
Can be slow decision makers
Like rules and predictability
Lowest risk taker
Analytical
Conservative
Can be rigid, overly serious and indecisive
Conflict: Mainly with Creators
Advice: Try to move faster, show less need for endless detail, be less
rigid about following policies. Take more risks. Show more personal concern
for others.
For more information about this book and other
AMACOM business titles, go to
http://www.amanet.org/books/catalog/MGS.htm
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