When communicating, are you assertive or passive? While everyone has their own unique communication style, it’s important that as trainers we recognize our own style and learn to adapt to the preferred style of those around us.
How many times have you led training and noticed the variety of attention levels in the audience? Some attendees are continuously asking relevant questions and showing curiosity, some are moving their pens furiously taking notes, some are checking email, reading text messages, or, every trainer’s fear, someone may be catching some z’s.
How can we make sure that our training style best aligns to those in the room or on the screen to keep their attention? Here are tips to remember and put into practice.
First, it is necessary to identify our own communication styles. Multiple sources, including Princeton University, recognize that there are four main communication styles: passive, passiveaggressive, aggressive and assertive.
In our day-to-day, most training communication is likely assertive as we work to be direct and respect those in our audience. Depending on the situation, we may need to use multiple communication styles interchangeably to effectively engage with those in our sessions.
Is one style better than another? Not necessarily. There are times and places for all styles of communication and the balance we give to each. Spending time understanding our preferences helps us to better understand different communication styles and where we can further develop to best engage with others.
Some people are competitive, determined and purposeful. Their communications often come from a place of passion.
There’s also the more cautious, precise and formal types. You’ve seen them raise their hands in meetings and then ask a sharp, important question.
Some of us are exemplified by caring, sharing and nurturing. I know you know who they are as soon as you meet them.
And then there are the social butterflies, the persuasive and dynamic forces of nature. You sometimes hear them before you see them, and that’s awesome.
It’s important to remember that while we may lead as one type, we are a balance of all four. I lead with order and reliability and structure; I love checklists. However, I recognize that the learners I interact with lead with different preferences.
This requires me to lean into their styles differently depending on my audience and the objectives of the interaction. In some situations, I need to dial up the dynamics and dial down the precision. In other situations, I need to maintain my formality, while also increasing my strong will, even though that’s my least-preferred energy.
Learning our preferences and flexing to meet the needs of our learners isn’t an easy feat. Like any skill, it takes practice, intentionality and trial and error. As we learn more about ourselves and others, our communication flexibility will grow.
While developing your skills, here are a few things to consider:
What is the preferred communication style of your audience? If it is varied, how can you be flexible with your style(s) to meet the needs of most learners?
If working one-on-one with someone, do you know their preferred style? By learning more about those we work closely with, we can make our engagements more effective.
What is your least preferred style? Are there situations where you can utilize that style to increase your comfort with communicating differently?
Look for opportunities to practice outside of the training environment. As you’re chatting with friends, family or your spouse, take time to learn more about their communication style and your own.
Have you effectively utilized different styles in your training? How did you advance your knowledge of communication styles?
Stephanie Hazelton is senior manager, commercial development and learning; U.S. vaccines, for Sanofi. Email her at stephanie.hazelton@sanofi.com or connect through linkedin.com/in/stephaniehazelton.
