When it comes to professional business communication, you will be able to better understand your own communication style and improve your business relations. Moreover, you will identify various communication types in other people and be able to better communicate with them by adapting and / or modifying your own communication style. It is crucial your staff be informed of effective communication types to help company productivity and avoid meaningless meetings. In short, your words can explain, promise, and authorize but become a mess in the minds of others if you do not communicate effectively.

What Type Of Communicator Type Are You?

There is no doubt that people have different communication styles in today’s busy world of business. Some people like to start off approaches with ’small talk’, establishing rapport, and just getting to know you.

Still others, those who are high level multi taskers, enjoy getting right down to business. They will provide a logical and sequential flow plan with supporting arguments and evidence.

Then, there are the people who use communication to get straight to the point. You know the type. The ones in business who’ve already made up their mind and yours too. They just want you to be a ‘yes man/woman’. Back talking these communication talkers can land you in a heap of trouble.

Below are the Four Primary Communication Types. Identify which one you are and then discover how to modify your communication habits.

The Feeler

Also Known As The Office Pioneer:

The Feeler communication type is what you’ll find in the younger generation crowd. The new employees just getting their feet wet and trying to strike gold in the minds of the big bosses with innovative ideas. The only problem is, these office pioneers might strike out too many times with their proposals and end up on a silver platter.The emotional Feeler type of communication can be for some the easiest to adapt to.

Simply using the words “hope, feel, appreciate, understand, disgust” in your everyday sentences can help convey a positive business communication style with others. Also, when you pick up on subtle wording patterns in another persons sentences that show they are Feeler talkers you can adapt your communication style to theirs while still retaining your own independence. Identifying this communication type is especially important to those associated with sales and marketing. The Feeler will be most persuaded not by logic, but by the emotional impact that they receive with interpersonal communication.

The Feeler is sold with emotion, and will justify their purchase decision with logic. They focus on how you respond and how others react. The Feeler pays big attention to non verbal communication.

The Logic Thinker

Also Known As Your Boss:

A Logical Thinker communication style is pretty obvious. These are the types of men and women strutting around the office. They are also the most admired type of thinker. Often, they are the managers and key decision makers in your office.

They believe the most effective communication style will be presented in a logical manner with supporting documents. The Logical Thinker will seek approval for a set of ideas from his or her peers.

Feelings and personal opinions matter little to the brute Logical Thinker. They are looking for the truth in their frame of mind. They want to know the cold hard facts and never rely on gut feelings. Sorry poker players, but the Logical Thinker is your boss and he wants real answers and not hunches. Modifying your communication style to theirs might feel like kissing some corporate butt, however, in the long run you will be less likely to become a scapegoated.

Be a team player. Modify your communication style to that of your boss at all costs. It will make him happy and put some extra cash in your wallet. Sometimes you need to leave your pride at the office door.

Mr. Multitask

Also Known As The Office Juggler:

The office juggler will more than likely drop a few balls or flying torches on your feet every once and awhile. They are the type of communicator who takes pride in being able to do as many things as once.The office juggler will more than likely drop a few balls or flying torches on your feet every once and awhile. They are the type of communicator who takes pride in being able to do as many things as once.The multi-tasker is the first one in a meeting to sprout a proposal to an emergency.

These solutions are often not as carefully planned out or effective as a “Thinker” or “Planner” communication style solution. Although the role of the multi-tasker might impress some with his ‘amazing’ ability to do so many things at once, he is often regarded as “half canned” or “flawed” in the minds of top level bosses. Many times the multitasker will be so impulsive with his/her decision making that their proposed solutions to problems are sometimes only a temporary cure.

The Planner

Also Known As The Guy With A Schedule In His Shirt Pocket:

Alright, I had to do it. We know this guy. He always has a nifty pocket sized calendar, fancy new cell phone with a planner, or Pocket PC within ten feet of him/her at all times. Money makes the world go round and the planner knows this better than anyone else. They might seem like the type of guy with a corporate ladder up their butt, however, they are trading a large portion of their lives in order to better themselves. I might be bias in saying that but I spend a good portion of my day organizing effectively ahead of time so I do not have to rush and possibly fail if I am not prepared for a meeting.A planner will develop an indetifiable and reachable plan. The planner will help a business by increasing productivity and enabling proper resource allocation. Planners need charts, models, patterns, plans, and dates to be communicated with effectively.

What’s Next?

Tomorrow I will be covering the proper way of creating a Business Letter Layout for effective communication. I am still working on getting around to an article to show how to create a more effective business card to increase sales.

If you find my articles informative, God Bless. If you find them to ‘Beaucratic’, I am working on my own communication style so stay tuned.