Communicating from Your Strengths

“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.”   

- Paul J. Meyer

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling certain that the other person knew what you meant, only to find out later that they hadn’t heard – or understood – you at all?  That communication – the human connection – simply didn’t happen? Unfortunately, this is a pretty common occurrence. So how do we change that? How do we ensure that we (the sender of information) and the listener (receiver of information) interpret that information in the same way?

It begins by understanding your communication style and then learning to adapt that style so the listener will hear and understand you. So there truly is a connection.  

Think about how you tend to communicate in a work setting. Do you get straight to the point, use direct, assertive language and keep conversations brief (you are action-oriented!)  Are you comfortable with conflict and focused on moving the meeting, the project, the task forward?  Now think about having a conversation with someone who has the opposite communication style.  Who has a softer and more relaxed approach.  Who likes to engage on a personal level before diving into business. And who would rather avoid conflict. How would you adapt your style to communicate effectively with this listener?

Or perhaps you’re a very animated communicator.  Full of ideas and energy and often switching quickly from topic to topic. You prefer to focus on the big picture with minimal details. You love stories.  Now imagine that you’re giving a presentation to someone with the opposite communication style. Who is more formal and deliberate when speaking.  Who is focused on facts and details and prefers order and process. How would you adapt your style to communicate effectively with this listener?

We each have a bit of all these styles within our communication palette.  But we tend to favor one or two of them as our strengths. Recognizing what those strengths are, and then developing the ability to identify the strengths of others and adapt accordingly is key to achieving effective communication. 

There are a number of assessment tools available to help you understand your communication strengths and learn how to adapt to others.  If you’re interested in learning more about assessments for you or for your organization, please contact me, Rebecca Bales, at RebeccaBales@luminalearning.com.

This Thanksgiving I am grateful for my family, friends, gifts and talents, and the opportunities that God has given me to experience this life. I am blessed for all of the people who are on this journey with me, who have crossed my path and whom I have yet to meet. I wish all of you a Happy and Love-filled Thanksgiving!

Warm regards,

Rebecca