***Dial-Up Your Success through Dynamic Communication

Why do 80% of our team issues come from 20% of our team members? And, how do you recognize and eliminate these issues?

According to the Carnegie Institute of Technology, only 15% of your success is due to your technical knowledge while 85% of success is attributable to your ability to express ideas, arouse enthusiasm, and lead people.

Further, miscommunication is at the root of a majority of workplace and personal dilemmas. Whatever behavior one displays to others is open to a multitude of interpretations, depending on who’s doing the interpreting.
Still not convinced that communication is that important? Consider this.

48% of executives cited better communication as the best remedy for low morale
33% of executives said lack of open and honest communication with staff members tops the list of management missteps that can erode morale

(Source: Accountemps.)

Given the word that I’m hearing on the street, most organizations aren’t doing this well. If we can recognize and understand communication styles in ourselves and others, we can interpret what is truly being conveyed. Yet, few people take the time to invest in the tools that will help them understand themselves and others better.

Think about how your work life might be improved right now if you could recognize, understand and appreciate others, and if you could adapt your style for effective communication. Conflict would be reduced and you could get your team working together more effectively.

Communication can be enhanced with assessment tools. Here’s a very simplified assessment based on the DISC* assessment tool. Are you or the other person (pick one):

__ Extroverted/ Task-Oriented: Your style is Dominance. Descriptors include ambitious, decisive, direct, independent.

__ Extroverted/ People-Oriented: Your style is Influencing. Descriptors include expressive, enthusiastic, demonstrative, talkative.

__ Introverted/ People-Oriented: You style is Sensing. Descriptors include methodical, systematic, reliable, steady.

__ Introverted/ Task-Oriented: Your style is Compliance. Descriptors include analytical, contemplative, conservative, careful.

What does this information provide for you? It can provide insight on how you or others approach problems and challenges, how you interact with or influence others to your way of thinking, what pace you like to work at, whether you follow the rules or are a rule-breaker, how you like to sell (or be sold to), your conflict response and much more. In a nutshell, assessment tools can provide a common language for understanding yourself and others by examining – in an unbiased way – measurable, observable behaviors and emotions.

When it comes to assessing your style or preferences there is no right or wrong answer. Taking the time to understand the different behaviors of people is the key to effective communication. Discovering how to communicate more effectively will enable you to achieve greater results, and gain more personal and professional satisfaction. And, dare I say it? You might even start having more fun at work. Now that’s something to smile about.