Improve your understanding of Social Styles!
People think and behave in different yet somewhat predictable ways. If you want to develop a deeper understanding of team members and others with whom you work closely, here’s one way — get to know their “social style.”
Here’s what you need to know . . .
It’s a somewhat basic and easy approach, but it can be helpful because social style often influences behavior. It assumes that people are different in two major dimensions – “openness” and “directness.” Therefore, when you determine each person’s “standing” in terms of each of these two variables, you know their social style, and you have a way to understand them.
Knowing another person’s social style may also help you to avoid potential difficulties interacting with them. It gives you a basis for adjusting your own style and pace to align with theirs from the start, so you can get along with them better, communicate with them better, and otherwise work with them more effectively.
There are four style “types” (think four quadrants on a grid:
To figure out someone’s style, the first issue to consider is how “open” or “closed” the person is. The second issue to consider is how “direct” versus “indirect” the same person seems to be. Keep in mind that open people are generally warm and friendly and want to be close to people. The closed styles are more close to the vest, as we say. Direct people are more risk takers, get to the point, and are fast paced. The indirects are the opposite.
To interact effectively with a person whose style is Open & Direct, remember to:
- Be relaxed, fun, and friendly.
- Show enthusiasm, be upbeat, and involve the other person in your approach.
- Credit and praise the other person for his or her input and ideas.
To interact effectively with a person whose style is Open & Direct, remember to:
- Be relaxed, fun, and friendly.
- Show enthusiasm, be upbeat, and involve the other person in your approach.
- Credit and praise the other person for his or her input and ideas.
When the other person’s social style is Closed & Direct:
- Get to the point and focus on the outcomes your ideas will achieve.
- Stick to business and be rather formal — unless the other person indicates a preference for something else.
- Keep the agenda short, stick to key points, and don’t ramble.
When you’re interacting with someone whose style is Closed & Indirect:
- Explain your points slowly and completely and in a logical manner.
- Be reserved and calm in your style and approach.
- Have a clear process based on step-by-step logic for everything you do.