The Communication Style Test

Verbal (what you say): * You express your opinions readily
* You speak using generalities
* You are persuasive

Paraverbal (how you say it):
* You vary your voice inflection
* You tend to be animated
* You use loud tones

Body language (the way you use your body to communicate):
* You move with quick actions
* You use lots of body movement
* You have an enthusiastic handshake

Personal space (the way you use space to communicate):
* Your workspace is cluttered
* You prefer close physical space
* You always have a personal slogan or motto to share

Professions utilizing this communication style:
* Teacher or trainer, counselor, cheerleader

-------- Adjusting your communication style for others ----------

SYSTEMATIC communicators have lower levels of expressiveness and lower levels of assertiveness. When communicating with someone who has a SYSTEMATIC style:
* Be precise; state the facts
* Organize your discussion in a logical order (background, present situation, outcome)
* Break down your recommendations
* Include options and alternatives with pros and cons

DIRECT communicators have lower levels of expressiveness and similar levels of assertiveness. When communicating with others who have a DIRECT style:
* Focus on the result first; state the conclusion at the outset.
* State your best recommendation; don't offer many alternatives
* Be as brief as possible
* Emphasize the practicality of your idea

CONSIDERATE communicators have lower levels of assertiveness and similar levels of expressiveness. When communicating with others who have a CONSIDERATE style:
* Allow enough time for discussion
* Don't get impatient when he or she goes off on tangents
* Try to relate the discussed topic to a broader concept or idea
* Emphasize future value or relate the impact of the idea to the future.