Each person has their own communication style and they fall into one of several categories. No communication style is necessarily better or worse than another. What is important about your communication style, though, is making sure that it fits with your audience. Using the wrong style of communicating with the audience, no matter how big or small, means that the audience can stop listening to you altogether.
Your communication style is also tied into your motivational style, the way you encourage your team to accomplish goals at work. If you don’t use the right style, then you risk losing their attention and no longer interest them in being motivated to complete tasks.
Identifying Your Communication Style
You might not be able to easily identify your communication style on your own. This is because we typically don’t stop to think about it. You may not realize that the way you are speaking to people does more harm than good. Taking the time to identify your communication style can give you greater insight into how to speak to your audience and also the best way to get them motivated each day.
Most communication styles fit into one of four categories: analytical, intuitive, functional, and personal. The main difference that splits these categories is whether you are someone who communicates with data or emotions. The other difference is whether you speak in a linear way or more freeform.
How Your Audience Receives Information
A person who speaks in a more analytical style can come across as cold and indifferent to their audience. If your audience responds better to a softer presentation of information, something with more emotion, then it is going to be difficult for them to take in that information and hard for them to feel motivated to get their tasks done.
On the other side of that, if you have more of a personal style of communication, you enjoy the more connected, engaged tone with your audience. If your team is a bunch of analytical communicators, they might find your style too invasive and illogical, making it hard to communicate and motivate them as well.
The key is to first know your communication style. Next, you need to know how your audience receives communication. With that information, you will be more prepared to speak to your audience in the most effective way and be able to motivate them to get their work done in a way that makes sense for all of you.
If you are not sure about your communication style, a business coach can help you identify it and work with you to determine the strengths and weaknesses of that style plus how to make it work in your role.