American Author Mark Murphy introduced the four communication styles in the workplace to explain the different ways in which people communicate in their work environment. Knowing and understanding different communication styles is vital for any organization. In this article, we will focus on the personal communicator.
The different communication styles are as follows:
- Intuitive
- Personal
- Functional
- Analytical
Key competencies of a personal communicator
As the name suggests, personal communicators are concerned about the person in front of them, they care about how others feel and how they perceive the information being communicated. In the workplace environment, they are the ones who talk to everyone, from the guard at the door to the management of the organization.
They have a seemingly natural way with people, they are easy to talk to. Below are some core competencies of personal communicators.
Value connection
The person is important. Personal communicators value communication. They place value on the people they meet and communicate with and in this way, they feel they can communicate effectively. By employing skills like active listening and empathy, they can connect with others and build connections.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to interpret one’s motions and that of others. Personal communicators rank high on emotional intelligence. They use this skill to understand their audience and adjust the way they communicate to accommodate others.
Being emotionally intelligent means, they can make others feel seen, heard, and appreciated. This way they build rapport with their colleagues and become the glue that holds teams together.
Cross-cultural competencies
Now that the world is moving into a more diverse workforce, personal communicators thrive in spaces where diversity is expressed and encouraged. They can make everyone’s voice count. They are equipped with contextual sensitivity that helps them adapt to different cultural needs in the way they communicate and listen.
Mediation and diplomacy
Personal communicators tend to be regarded as diplomatic in their approach to difficult situations. They genuinely care about the thoughts and feelings of others hence making space for those thoughts and feelings to be expressed.
Foster trust and loyalty
Whether it is with their customers or work colleagues, personal communicators add value by fostering trust. The personalized nature of their communication makes people feel that their contribution is valued, which promotes loyalty to the organization.
How to work with a personal communicator
Personal communicators’ strength lies in their ability to build emotional connections with others. Creating safe spaces where everyone can thrive is important to them. They usually work in the HR department, marketing, or on union boards. They function well in an environment that is not toxic, an environment that encourages and makes efforts to ensure the well-being of its team members. When working with or for a personal communicator, one must realize how invested they are in the well-being of others hence that would always be their priority, sometimes at the detriment of other important issues.
Be mindful of tone, body language, and context when talking to them, especially in conflict situations as it can lead to misunderstandings. It is also important to note that though they can do it, they are not usually good with work that needs meticulous attention to detail. They focus on the overall feel and atmosphere of discussions and meetings.
Conclusion
In today’s world, where it can seem so cold and distant, especially in the workplace, personal communicators serve as the light that shows that there is still value being placed on individuals and their well-being.
If it is not incorporated with other styles of communication though, sometimes personal communication can be a hindrance. Those who are personal communicators struggle with being objective and making decisions or taking actions that are not driven by emotions.
As much as they might be good with diplomacy, personal communicators can tend to avoid conflict or having necessary difficult conversations to keep the peace. Though this might be someone’s dominant way of communicating, it does not mean they are stuck and cannot change.
Just like most things in life, effective communication is one of those skills that can be taught and learned. Understanding the different situations where each communication style will have the best results is the hallmark of a great communicator.
Reach out for support
If you are a personal communicator and would like to expand your communication abilities to include other styles, get in touch. We will provide the assessment and coaching you might need to learn how to communicate effectively.