[Sharon]

Think of an example of when you adjusted your communication to meet another person’s style. Are you a thinker, feeler, doer or imaginer? Why do you believe that is your style?

[Jacqueline]

I think that when communicating with anyone its so important to always allow them the time to finish talking without interruption. I have witnessed this many times in meetings, others who are more “doers” in approach will try to rush the conversation forward already having an agenda and plan; they are just looking to share and then ‘do’. I believe my approach is more thinker in style, I will definitely research an idea and have supporting data and expected outcomes to share. In updating policies and procedures I take the time to ask questions, listen and gather information. I will reach out to specific areas to review their current processes. When I have encountered an area that has a specific standard that is not being met, I will present this information to the group to get their understanding and feedback, and then work with them to make a change. I think its important to help empower the people you work with to encourage them to help influence change. I believe if we are all included in the process to make a change the greater the outcome.

[Jaclyn]

I agree with your comment “I believe if we are all included in the process to make a change the greater the outcome.” I feel everyone has something to offer and should be given a chance to share a thought or an idea. Sadly in some of my experience, upper management would not ask for opinions or ideas from staff and it would just be one manager leading the conversation and their idea.

[Jaclyn]

I found it difficult to clearly identify what communicator I was. I feel I am in between thinker and feeler. I like to valid everyone’s opinions and to reach a compromise, make sure everyone is included and when speaking to be aware of how what I am saying is making everyone feel and to ensure everyone is comfortable with the conversation. I often do this when having a a debrief with my students and factoring in everyone’s life experience, age, education, culture, religion etc so I can convey the same message but in a manner that it will be received by everyone and understood. I am certainly a people pleaser and highly sensitive to people’s reactions and feelings so that is why I think I am between a thinker and feeler.

[Veronica]

This discussion made me think hard what kind of a communicator am I. After reading the 4 different styles of communication. I think I am more of a feeler and sometimes imaginer. I see myself as the feeler because I prefer an informal and open approach. I want to spent time getting to know my coworkers and I feel more comfortable sharing my ideas if I feel connection with the group like its easier to understand a person if you know something about him/her. I am a good follower not so much a leader. I prefer following orders rather than me giving the order.

[Josephine]

I would describe my communication style as as a feeler. Reviewing the description of a feeler, I relate well to the statement ” feelers likely want to spend a little more time getting to know you, so be willing to share why your ideas are personally important to you”. As a manager, I take pride in my ability to connect with my front line staff. I spend time getting to know them on a personal and professional level. I make it a point to ask how their weekend was, what they plan on doing during their off days or simply how there day is going today and what can I do to help? I identify as a feeler communicator because Im personable, comfortable speaking one-on-one or in a group setting to share goals and ideas to motivate and inspire others to do. I have had to adapt my communication style for an employee who has dyslexia. I have had to find creative ways to best accommodate the employee to ensure their success in the role. I also have an obligation as an employer to do so. I met this challenge by working with our IT department to install a voice recording device onto a desktop so the employee can speak directly into the voice recorder and the voice recorder, records and types word by word directly onto our electronic charting system.

[John-paul]

Thanks for sharing what type of communication style you feel that you have, everyone. As a few of you mentioned, there may be elements of more than one style, that you feel fit your own style, and that’s great! There may be an area that you feel stronger in, or you may have two styles that you feel you relate to evenly. These styles may help you identify areas that you mat want to improve. Also important to note, you don’t have to only focus on improving areas that you are weaker in. You may want to focus on the strengths of your style and develop these even further.

[Alison]

I’d like to think I’m a doer but I’m actually a feeler. I need some background as to how and why. When communicating with a true doer, it’s important to stick to the essentials. For example, when talking to a PSW about a task they need to complete, some need to know why this is being done, others need the logistics of how something will be accomplished. PSWs who are doers might just want the task given.

[Author]

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