Is your communication style causing a stir?
- Sarah Farmer
- Sep 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Did you know that your style is giving you away?!
…and I’m not talking about your fashion choice.
That’s too Devil Wears Prada for my articles👗
It was definitely causing problems for my client who we’ll call Jas (name changed to protect the innocent 😉)
Jas is a senior leader in a large corporation. She had made some huge assumptions about her boss and after coaching with me plus training on communication versatility, she realised this was not only blocking her potential in her current company but, if left unresolved would carry on into whatever organisation she joined next 🙈
The crux of the problem was that Jas has a preference for extroversion (she would be classed as a feeling extrovert), and her boss was the total opposite…..a Thinking Introvert.
NB: Neither is better or worse!
This means the way they communicate is very different and this difference leads to tension, misunderstanding, disappointment, and frustration and can lead to a feeling of ‘dislike’.
The impact?
Poor decision-making (on both sides), eroded trust.... and no boss is going to develop you if they don’t trust you.
Plus, top talent (that is misunderstood) is going to leave, looking for better bosses/cultures if they don’t feel understood….which of course comes at a cost for all involved.
But here's the kicker...
None of this is based on truth...it's stories we make up in our brains to help us make sense of the world we're living in💡
It’s all created by a lack of knowledge and understanding about how we communicate and the impact this has on what we think, feel and then do 🧠
The situation has been caused by a response to a difference in communication styles that neither understands as they have never learnt about this and consequently, neither party are being as effective as they could be 🤷🏼♀️
This is why learning how to do this effectively is part of everything we do here at Bright & Brilliant …
I'm shocked at how few leaders have ever had the opportunity to learn this…it’s a MUST for any leader or leadership team who is serious about growing their business and/or personal brand.
Humans make fast, unconscious decisions and form opinions about those around us based on how they communicate with us and others.
These judgments and misconceptions can lead us to a variety of issues that can cause tension and slow down or block potential success.
So, how can YOU avoid the pitfalls associated with this?
First - we need to understand our OWN communication style preferences and how these differ from those around us.
Then this happens...
🔆 Higher levels of trust and reduced levels of tension
🔆 Better quality relationships with all key stakeholders
🔆 Better business decisions and results
What's not to love?
You can learn more about communication effectiveness by reading pages 63-67 of my #1 best-selling book “Leadership Unleashed” available on Amazon here.
You’ll learn how to lead yourself more effectively, the 4 main archetypes of behaviour and so much more.
Ready to take your development to the next level?
We provide 1:1 and group coaching development programmes, plus workshops on a variety of advanced and essential leadership skills, helping you and your teams become Bright & Brilliant Leaders.
Bookings are being taken for 2025 with limited availabiklity remaining for this year.
Now is your time to shine 🔆