Communication is one of the most important things in business. However, it seems like there are always problems with communication in the workplace, even though we now have more communication channels than before. Why do you think that is? I believe that many communication problems start because people do not consider the type of person they are talking too. Many people don't consider how the person feels or how they will interpret the message being relayed. Sometimes if you know what type of personality a person has it is easier to communicate with them.
In order to give you a better understanding of what I am talking about, I would like to introduce you to the Merrill-Reid personality types. According to the Merrill-Reid personality types, a person can be analytical, amiable, a driver, or expressive. An analytical person is someone who is task oriented and pays close attention to the facts and details. An amiable person is people oriented and sincere, and their main focus is to cooperate with others in order to get the job done. A driver is someone who is task oriented and focuses on power and control to get the job done. An expressive person is people oriented and likes to persuade others, and their main focus is on popularity and recognition. The following link will give you a better understanding of the four personality types:
http://www.bigideasnetwork.com/four_quad_personality_profile.htm
Since, you now have a better understanding of the four different personality types, consider this. I work in the Accounting department at 1ST SUMMIT BANK, and I am an analytical person because my main focus is on the details. I do my best to ensure the overall safety of the Bank. However, there are numerous people in the bank who are expressive, and worry more about providing excellent customer service instead of worrying about the Bank's safety. There are many times when our personalities clash and it makes it hard to communicate. In order to get them to understand my side of things, I assure them that I know we need to make the customer happy, that way they know I understand their side of things. However, I also remind them of the things they may have overlooked. It is easier to communicate with people with different personalities if you know how to handle them. If you know what type of personality a person has you can prepare yourself even more. In order to communicate effectively you have to be willing to see things from the other person's point of view not just your own. If you can not see things from a different perspective, there is a good chance that it will be very hard for you to communicate effectively with others.
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There are so many ways in todays business environment to communicate with others. This is a very positive thing and we need these types of resources in todays ever changing business world. However, just as was mentioned in the article there are down sides to this as well. I experience this on a daily basis, from working in a bank. I am required to deal with others all the time, whether it is through email, phone, fax etc. There are so many downsides to these tools as well. Many times there is misunderstandings, or events that may not have been a problem if there was a face to face meeting. I can't count the amount of times I have had to go back and meet with someone or have a phone conversation, but they could not understand an email or fax. Not only that, but there is a lot of ethical issues when it comes to using email and internet.
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ReplyDeleteTrue, emails can be frustrating - on the down side. However, as a strategic tool for communicating internally and externally, email has heaps of advantages. Many times someone will claim you didn't inform them about something; email allows you to keep record in such situations. You can also keep everyone on the same page - but it's funny how many people can sometimes interprate the same message differently.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your link about personality type, it is original and interesting! And your analysis about our personalities and the way we communicate is important! We are everyday confronted to that kind of problem with people who do not understand what is our message, even if we speak the same language.
ReplyDeleteAnother important part in communication, according to me, is the culture, sometimes it can play an important role on the way people communicate or do not communicate...
Hofstede (among others) studied the influence in business of important cultural factors as individualism against collectivism, or masculine society against feminine society and the consequences it can have on a day-to-day activity in companies.
i like your point about analyzing different type about personalities; i think its very interesting,too. indeed, it is easier to communicate with people with different personalities if you know how to handle them in the first place. for me, talking to different types of people is challenging and fun. but i also agree with Melanie, sometimes culture background might impede the communication as well.
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