SOCIAL STYLE improves communication because we learn about personal behavioral preferences and stressors, the root of all comfortable and challenging relationships. Have you ever thought about why communication with some people tends to be easier than others? It likely has more to do with you than it does with them. When we experience behaviors and communication that align with our needs and preferences, we are more comfortable. When we experience behaviors and communication that don’t align with our needs and preferences, we experience stress. We tend to have better communication with people who meet our needs and we are more comfortable with.
SOCIAL STYLE helps learners understand their comfort and stress dynamics, as well as the comfort and stress dynamics of others. By learning about behaviors, needs, preferences, stressors and growth opportunities, learners gain greater self-awareness, self-management and empathy for others. This leads to greater Versatility and Versatility is a predictor of success.
Let’s take a closer look at each SOCIAL STYLE:
- Need: The Driving Style need is results. Their needs tend not to be relational.
- Preferences: They prefer progress at a faster pace, with minimal distractions and delays.
- Stressors: They may become stressed with others’ lack of focus, urgency and progress.
- Stress Response: When stressed they may become controlling and demanding, ensuring results are being met.
- Growth Opportunities: Some of the Driving Style growth opportunities are listening, patience
and empathy.
- Need: The Expressive Style need is personal approval. Their needs tend to be relational.
- Preferences: They prefer partnership and flexibility as they are pursuing things that excite them.
- Stressors: They may become stressed when they don’t feel supported or things become too rigid.
- Stress Response: When stressed they may become confrontational in defense of their position or in opposition of the source of their stress.
- Growth Opportunities: Some of the Expressive Style growth opportunities are emotional management, not taking things personally and more attention to details.
- Need: The Amiable Style need is personal security. Their needs tend to be relational.
- Preferences: They prefer connection and consistency with their relationships.
- Stressors: They may become stressed when they perceive a lack of harmony with others and frequent changes.
- Stress Response: When stressed they will avoid difficult conversations and conflict and become overly accommodating, many times at the expense of their own goals and desires.
- Growth Opportunities: Some of the Amiable Style growth opportunities are to confidently share opinions and ideas, stand up for what they believe and take action to accomplish their goals.
- Need: The Analytical Style need is to be right. Their needs tend not to be relational.
- Preferences: They prefer facts and accuracy when making decisions.
- Stressors: They may become stressed with quick decisions, especially when made without facts.
- Stress Response: When stressed they will likely withdrawal and avoid as the stressor is no longer worth their time and attention.
- Growth Opportunities: Some of the Analytical Style growth opportunities are empathy, flexibility and decisiveness.
When you consider the Style dynamics above, what kind of communication should you expect when people don’t understand these things about themselves or the people they are communicating with? With the best of intentions people are going to “bump into each other” and not even know it. Now, imagine a group of people who understand dynamics about themselves and others and make an effort to behave, communicate and work with each in ways where needs and preferences are being met and people feel comfortable and respected.
Fortunately, learning these patterns of behaviors can be accomplished through SOCIAL STYLE training. Learn more about our instructor-led, virtual or eLearning options.
