Take Cues From Others for Improved Communication

Understanding Behavior Helps You Impart Influence on Others

There's an old saying that states you cannot understand a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.

As leaders, it would serve us well to remember that adage when communicating with others.

Take cues from them and your communication will improve. The most effective way to interact with someone is to figure out how they want to be communicated with — not how you want to communicate to them.

After all, adapting your style is the mark of a superior communicator.

That sounds good, and, on the surface, easy to achieve. But how do we achieve it?

The key is learning to understand a person’s behavioral style.

It’s a proven fact people retain more information when the message is delivered in a way they want to receive it. A person’s behavioral style often dictates how they like to receive information and choose to communicate.

One of the most important skills of effective leaders and sales people is their ability to adapt their style to that of the person they are trying to influence.

For some people, this is an innate skill they possess; for others, they have to learn it and earn it.

Here’s the good news: The more you practice identifying someone else’s behavioral style, the easier it becomes for you to communicate and impart your influence on them and others.

Would you like to communicate more effectively with your supervisor, your customers, your colleagues, your kids and your spouse?

Start by being more observant of others and their style.

Are they outgoing? Reserved? Detailed oriented?

What is their pace? Their body language? What does their office look like?

Individuals and organizations that have a higher understanding of behavioral science end up with more effective communication throughout the workplace. This leads to higher employee satisfaction, retention, productivity and profitability.

Communicating with style can be the first step in improving the relationships of those with whom you live and work.

As you approach meetings and social functions, think of the people you will be interacting with and develop a mini communication plan in advance. Try to determine the other person’s behavioral style and how you can adjust to them in your interactions.

With these goals in mind, try to focus on becoming a more effective communicator, and ensure the brilliance of your message is not lost in its delivery.