obsolete

Topic time estimate: 10 Minutes

Video time estimate: 2 Minutes

Knowing your own and your audience’s preferred communication style gives you a huge advantage in deciding for your change communication strategy. Typically, we are likely to communicate in our own preferred style. It is beneficial if we are able to adapt our style to the audience when it really matters. It also helps us to pinpoint root causes for misunderstandings, rumours, conflicts and resistance if we are aware of different preferences.

Watch this video to see how differently each style can be approached in one and the same scenario.

Now it is time to observe your communicative style and your audience’s style.

Open your workbook on page 8 for this activity.

As a change leader, you might choose to introduce the communication styles to your team and ask for a self-assessment, alternatively, you might choose to apply your best judgment as to which styles are preferred by your team.

You will find that some people find it easier than others to choose one style. That is because most people display a combination of all four personality styles and the clearer the primary preference the easier they are categorised,

For example, if your audience is predominantly:

• Yellow, then your messages should include visuals and should aim to excite them about the future state.
• Green, then your ways to communicate should be personal, favouring intimate groups and 1:1 meetings.
• Blue, then you should choose a documented, structured approach, that allows them to self-serve information.
• Red, then your messages should be direct to the point and decisive.

After the observation, upload your assignment below to proceed with your course and take steps to adapt your communication method accordingly.