EP129: Tailor Your Approach and Master Communication
IT JUST TAKES A SMALL SHIFT
A little shift will create better connection.
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
Welcome to another post aimed to elevate your leadership skills. We’re diving deep into how you can tailor your approach and master communication efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, these insights could help you make stronger connections and lead more effectively.
Recap of Recent Themes
Over the last few episodes of our podcast, we’ve discussed several foundational concepts:
Episode 126: The importance of knowing yourself and how increasing your self-awareness impacts the way you show up.
Episode 127: Expanding your awareness to understand your team better for improved decision-making, productivity, engagement, and results.
Episode 128: The magic of collective awareness and the importance of having a common language within teams, shared via a conversation with Val Schumacher.
In this blog post, we’ll continue in that vein and discuss how you, as a leader, can adapt your own preferences and style to better meet those of the people you interact with. Adapting your communication to align with the preferences of the person you're interacting with can make a significant difference.
Four Foundational Concepts for Effective Communication
Before you can start adapting your style, there are foundational elements that need to be in place:
Curiosity: This opens up the space for interactions, minimizes assumptions and judgments, and shows a genuine interest in understanding more about others.
Psychological Safety: This involves creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up, give feedback, and make mistakes without fear of reprimand.
Self-awareness: Knowing your own preferences, biases, and style is crucial. This awareness helps you understand where you can stretch or adjust.
Willingness to Get It Wrong: Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them without judgment.
Six Tips for Adapting Your Communication Style
Let’s dive into practical tips that can help you tailor your communication for better connection and engagement:
Practice Active Listening: Active listening means more than just hearing words; it involves understanding, engaging, and responding attentively. Show that you’re really involved in the conversation by repeating back what you’ve heard and encouraging open dialogue. Tailor your listening style based on the person’s communication preferences (using the Insights model):
Fiery Red: Provide direct responses immediately.
Sunshine Yellow Show enthusiasm and engage actively.
Earth Green: Listen empathetically and offer support.
Cool Blue: Pay attention to detail and clarity.
2. Understand Individual Communication Preferences: Ask people directly about their preferred communication methods—whether they prefer detailed emails, quick texts, or face-to-face meetings—and consider using assessments like Myers-Briggs or Insights to gain more insights into their style.
3. Be Aware of Cultural Differences: Cultural differences can significantly impact communication styles. Being mindful and respectful of these nuances can help in adjusting your approach more effectively.
4. Adjust Your Communication Style: Prep for meetings by thinking about what you know of the other person’s style. Be flexible in your approach, adapting your tone, pace, and level of detail to align with their preferences.
5. Provide Clear and Concise Information: Clarity is essential. Ensure your communication is specific and understandable, avoiding jargon while being clear and concise.
6. Use Multiple Ways of Communicating: Utilize different communication methods, such as video messages, emails, and in-person conversations, especially when addressing large groups with diverse styles.
No matter the style or your level of adapting, you always want to:
Encourage Open Feedback: Create a culture where feedback is valued and acted upon.
Follow-Up: Follow through with commitments and maintain consistent one-on-one meetings or updates to foster an environment of trust and continuous improvement.
Overcoming Barriers
You might encounter resistance to adapting your style, but remember, as a leader, you can only control your own actions. Investing time in understanding and adapting communication styles saves time in the long run by reducing misunderstandings and fostering better engagement.
Lastly, if your organization doesn’t yet value self-awareness and adaptive communication, consider advocating for this development. Investing in these skills is a significant competitive advantage.
Final Thoughts
Adapting your communication style to better connect with others is imperative for effective leadership. It enhances engagement, boosts productivity, and builds stronger, more meaningful relationships.
I hope you found these tips useful!
What Do You Think?
How can you shift 1% to better communicate?
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