Communication - Read Your Audience (Part II)

Communication - Read Your Audience (Part II)
by Lee__ on 07-06-2010 at 05:55 AM (223 Views)
http://www.rletc.com/entry.php?373-C...ience-(Part-II)

"Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same." - - George Bernard Shaw


✤ Are you a fan of the The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment?

✤ Do you prefer the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS)?

✤ Are you more comfortable with the simple Colors?

✤ Do you think psychometric questionnaires and self-assessed personality tests are a load of hogwash?

✤ Are you familiar with Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning Domains?

✤ Are you completely unfamiliar with any of it?


I'll accept a "yes" answer on any of those questions listed up there. What matters is that you accept the fundamental idea that people are different. Billions of us little buggers on the planet. Come to terms with the fact that there are some variations out there.

One of the KEY variations is in how people receive information. Once you've accepted THAT, then you can figure out how to tailor your message so the chances it will be EFFECTIVELY and MEANINGFULLY received will be greatly increased. Of course that means that you will have to accept the idea that you NEED to tailor your message.

That's a lot to accept. It's okay. I understand. Take your time and give it some consideration. Let me see if I can help.


Tailoring a message so that it actually gets received means understanding the recipient of the message enough to deliver the message in a way that person can hear it. Really well and truly hear it. You don't know everyone you communicate with, so how do you understand each person well enough to tailor the message so you can be sure he or she will hear it?

You could ask. Seriously. Some people know exactly what works for them and are quite happy to tell you.

You could also look for cues.

Some people have a primary learning style that is auditory, visual or kinesthetic. This means they tend to pick up information better by hearing it, reading it or doing it. Everybody learns best with a combination of all three, but we all have a primary learning style too and that can be a good thing to recognize if you want to effectively communicate information.

Some people have a primary motivator that is based on energy, structure, emotion or logic and knowledge. This means they are motivated to hear information better if there is energy, structure, emotion or logic behind it.

If you can surface these style preferences in the people you are communicating with, then you can GREATLY improve your chances of accomplishing your communication goals.

Think about people you work with, whether it's at your job, charity, home or what-have-you. Are there some people you just know you'd better go and speak to face-to-face in order to get their attention? Are there some people you just know you'd better send an e-mail or memo to and let them have a day to ponder the information before you talk to them about it? Are there some people who are moved by your investment in your project and your need for help, whereas others could not seem to care less until you point out what is in it for them?

Any of that sound familiar?

If not, never mind.

If so, good. Part III coming up.


Updated 01-05-2011 at 03:15 AM by Lee__
Tags: communication, personality tests, psi shrinkers, team

Comments:

Just Jordan - 07-07-2010 12:06 AM
Did I miss Part I?

Very interesting! I have to run for a bit, but back later for a better read (skimmed it just now) and possibly commentary!

Lee__ - 07-07-2010 04:04 AM
Yes.

...and...

Cool!

Lee__ - 07-12-2010 11:27 PM
Carl Jung's personality test

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® at The Skeptic's Dictionary

Forer effect


Updated 07-12-2010 at 11:38 PM by Lee__