Communication Styles: A Self-Assessment Exercise

General Instruction

Please select from each pair of attributes the one which is most typical of your personality. No pair is an either-or proposal. Make your choice as spontaneously as possible. There is no wrong answer.

1. I like action. 2. I deal with problems in a systematic way.

3. I believe that teams are more effective than individuals. 4. I enjoy innovation very much.

5. I am more interested in the future than in the past. 6. I enjoy working with people.

7. I like to attend well-organized group meetings. 8. Deadlines are important for me.

9. I cannot stand procrastination. 10. I believe that new ideas have to be tested before being used.

11. I enjoy the stimulation of interaction with others. 12. I am always looking for new possibilities.

13. I want to set up my own objectives. 14. When I start something, I go through until the end.

15. I basically try to understand other people’s emotions. 16. I do challenge people around me.

17. I look forward to receiving feedback on my performance. 18. I find the step-by-step approach very effective.

19. I think I am good at reading people. 20. I like creative problem solving.

21. I extrapolate and project all the time. 22. I am sensitive to others’ needs.

23. Planning is the key to success. 24. I become impatient with long deliberations.

25. I am cool under pressure. 26. I value experience very much.

27. I listen to people. 28. People say that I am a fast thinker.

29. Cooperation is a key word for me. 30. I use logical methods to test alternatives.

31. I like to handle several projects at the same time. 32. I always question myself.

33. I learn by doing. 34. I believe that my head rules my heart.

35. I can predict how others may react to a certain action. 36. I do not like details.

37. Analysis should always precede action. 38. I am able to assess the climate of a group.

39. I have a tendency to start things and not finish them up. 40. I perceive myself as decisive.

41. I search for challenging tasks. 42. I rely on observation and data.

43. I can express my feelings openly. 44. I like to design new projects.

45. I enjoy reading very much. 46. I perceive myself as a facilitator.

47. I like to focus on one issue at a time. 48. I like to achieve.

49. I enjoy learning about others. 50. I like variety.

51. Facts speak for themselves. 52. I use my imagination as much as possible.

53. I am impatient with long, slow assignments. 54. My mind never stops working.

55. Key decisions have to be made in a cautious way. 56. I strongly believe that people need each other to get work done.

57. I usually make decisions without thinking too much. 58. Emotions create problems.

59. I like to be liked by others. 60. I can put two and two together very quickly.

61. I try out my new ideas on people. 62. I believe in the scientific approach.

63. I like to get things done. 64. Good relationships are essential.

65. I am impulsive. 66. I accept differences in people.

67. Communicating with people is an end in itself. 68. I like to be intellectually stimulated.

69. I like to organize. 70. I usually jump from one task to another.

71. Talking and working with people is a creative art. 72. Self-actualization is a key word for me.

73. I enjoy playing with ideas. 74. I dislike wasting my time.

75. I enjoy doing what I am good at. 76. I learn by interacting with others.

77. I find abstractions interesting and enjoyable. 78. I am patient with details.

79. I like brief, to the point statements. 80. I feel confident in myself.

Name (Optional)

Email (Optional)

Your Screening Result

Score:

Result:

Communication Styles Described

We can think about the four styles in quadrants that use focus and pace as key indicators. Associators and Innovators are primarily concerned with relationships. For Associators, it’s mostly relationships of people whereas Innovators are thinking of relationships of ideas and then how they relate to people. Systemizers and Energizers are looking at results—data results and then deliverable or end results.

Style 1: Energizer: Direct/Fast‐Paced, Results Oriented

1. Characteristics: Pragmatic, Direct, Impatient, Decisive, Quick, Energetic

2. Discussion Topics: Results, Objectives, Performance, Efficiency, Progress, Decisions,Responsibility, Feedback, Achievements

3. Priorities: Action, Accomplishment

4. Time: Right now

Skills: Highly productive, energetic, enthusiastic, good at making decisions

May come across as: Impatient, insensitive, miss details

Communicating with an Energizer

Brevity is key, talk in bullet points
Focus on results first
Emphasize practicality of idea
Make direct eye contact and be confident
Use visual Aids
Walk and talk

Style 2: Systemizer: Indirect/Slow Paced, Results Oriented

1. Characteristics: Logical, Analytical, Organized, Systematic, Factual, Cautious

2. Discussion Topics: Facts, Procedures, Planning, Organizing, Controlling, Testing, Trying things out, Analysis, Observations, Proof, Details

3. Priorities: Facts, Order, Details

4. Time: Past, Present, and Future

Skills: Organize information well, less prone to mistakes

May come across as: Picky, aloof, critical

Communicating with a Systemizer

Focus on facts and data
Provide proof and methodology to back up proposal
Keep discussion/proposal in logical order (background, current situation, results)
Provide written documentation
Do not rush

Style 3: Associator: Indirect/Slow Paced, Relationship Oriented

1. Characteristics: Friendly, Warm, Empathetic, Emotional, Perceptive, Sensitive, Spontaneous

2. Discussion Topics: People Needs, Motivation, Teamwork, Communication, Feelings, Self‐Development, Awareness, Relationships

3. Priorities: Relationships, People

4. Time: Past

Skills: Perceptive, friendly, team players

May come across as: Unassertive, emotional, slow

Communicating with an Associator

Allow for personal talk, build rapport
Connect results to relationships and people
Seek their opinions/ideas
Discuss past results and successes

Style 4: Innovator: Direct/Fast Paced, Relationship oriented

1. Characteristics: Charismatic, Creative, Difficult to Understand, Full of Ideas, Provocative

2. Discussion Topics: Concepts, Innovation, New Ways, New Methods, Improvement, New Ideas, Opportunities, Possibilities, Big Picture, Potential

3. Priorities: Relationships, People

4. Time: Future

Skills: Visionary, Creative, See big picture

May come across as: Difficult to understand, unrealistic, unproductive

Communicating with an Innovator

Allow time for brainstorming
Talk about big picture and what idea could mean
Stress uniqueness of an idea or topic
Follow up meeting with brief to‐do list

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