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We all have a social style. It is both inherited and learned. Our social style is the way we best get along socially. There are many ways to analyse our social style, some quite detailed and complicated. To better understand ourselves and those we work & socialise with, attached is a simple set of guidelines to use. Research by behavioural scientists have identified two human characteristics which, when combined describe styles of behaviour: Assertiveness: An individuals effort to influence the thoughts and action of others. Responsiveness: An individuals ability to respond to others or events with a show of feeling or lack of inhibition. There are four major behavioral styles, each approaching a problem differently. Each style relates differently. If we know our own behavioural style, and we are able to recognise the styles of others, we are able to interact more effectively with others. Each of us is complicated in attitude, perception and personality. The way we express ourselves behave - is consistent and predictable in pattern. Our basic style is our own most comfortable mode of behaving. Remember that we are considering only behaviour that part of a person we can see, hear and touch. We are not including how that person may feel or think, since those are dimensions actually known only to that individual.
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A S S E R T I V E N E S S ANALYTIC DRIVER
A
R E S P O N S I V E N E S S
AMIABLE
EXPRESSIVE
Down
Write your totals from the previous page
Up
Left
Right
Bring your score from the previous page and write the appropriate number in the box. The Down and the Up numbers should total nine when added together, as should the Left and Right.
To locate your style on the grid, calculate the difference between the Down and Up scores and, starting from the centre of the grid, go the number of lines that is in the greater direction. That is, if Down is 6 and Up is 3, go Down three lines. Do the same for the Left and Right scores. This will place your score at a coordinate in one of the 16 boxes. Styles below the centre line are more Responsive. Styles to the right of the centre line arc more Assertive.
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ICA AUSTRALIA
Avoid
Control 9 8 7 6
Dominate
Ask
5 4 3 2 1 0
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Tell
Submit
Emote
Attack
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ANALYTIC
Less Assertive Behaviour Slower-paced walk and gestures. Usually talks and gestures less. Expresses ideas more tentatively, qualifies. Slower, more hesitant speech. May stop in mid-sentence, then begin a new sentence that makes more sense to the speaker though the listener may get lost or frustrated. Less risk-oriented; emphasises quality - do it right so you dont have to do it over; careful research, focuses on details, many options. Less Responsive Behaviour Restricted body movement, gestures. Little variation in voice. Speaks with quieter voice. More task-oriented. Appears detached from feelings. May like to work alone. Disciplined about time. Typical Characteristics Logical, Thorough, Serious, Systematic, Prudent.
DRIVER
More Assertive Behaviour Moves quickly, may speak more rapidly. Tell-oriented. Expresses facts and opinions more strongly. Exerts more pressure for decisions. Demonstrates task-focused energy. Vocal intensity - may sound forceful without speaking loudly (some Drivers speak loudly). Intense eye contact when making a point. Phrasing is direct, down-to-earth. More risk-oriented. Less Responsive Behaviour More controlled body movement. Very task-oriented (vs. feeling/opinionsoriented) but needs fewer facts than Analytics. Disciplined about time. Often prefer working alone, directing others. Pragmatic, results-oriented
Efficient.
AMIABLE
Less Assertive Behaviour May not talk much, especially in a group. Soft voice, speaks less intently. Expresses proposals more tentatively. Decides more slowly. Invites others to express opinions. Tends to be quiet in meetings; may express ideas after others have spoken. Slower paced walk and gestures. More Responsive Behaviour People oriented, team oriented. More apt to remember personal data about others, send birthday cards, be concerned about how people will respond or be affected by a proposed change. Prefers one-to-one interactions or small groups to solitary activities or large groups. Friendly facial expression, eye contact. Relaxed posture. Typical Characteristics Supportive, Cooperative, Diplomatic, Patient, Loyal.
EXPRESSIVE
More Assertive Behaviour Fast-paced motions and gestures. Tell-oriented; speaks more rapidly. Tends to speak louder than other styles. Usually brimming with energy. Dislikes routine. Expresses opinions more strongly. Decides more quickly. Initiates projects. More Responsive Behaviour More, larger freer flowing gestures. Flowing, dramatic use of language. People-oriented. Much eye contact and facial expression. Mare apt to tell jokes and stories. May wander from the topic. Least disciplined about time. Fluctuating moods opinions often based on intuition. Typical Characteristics Outgoing, Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Fun-loving, Spontaneous.
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AMIABLE
EXPRESSIVE
In order to begin to relate behaviour with social styles, record some of the social
styles in the room, especially those who have clearly occurred to you as their style. Do the same with some contemporary prominate people that easily spring to
mind for you. You may even try to identify the styles of characters from books or movies. Place your family members and co -workers. Try to visualise their behaviour in a stress-free situation. G et some examples of all four styles, those you are comfortable with and th ose that are confronting or you.
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ANALYTIC
Excess Behaviour Tend to withdraw by avoiding, going away. Negative, pessimistic, obstructionist. Unwilling to try new things, venture out. Cold, aloof, arrogant. Indecisive, ruminative, inflexible. Oblivious to others lack of interest in details. Overwhelmed by others emotionally. Flustered under time pressure. Suspicious and ready to believe the worst. Preoccupied with time and policy. May over-rationalise their position.
DRIVER
Excess Behaviour Defend what they want by turning tension up. Attack with facts, dictate. Overbearing, intimidating, demanding. Winning, regardless of the cost. Unwilling to listen, collaborate, consult. Tackle non -feasible projects. Overextending, overcommitting, underestimating. Innovating for its own sake. Refusing to recognise others ability to lead. Speaking with authoritarian tone and terms. Throwing up hands and walking out.
AVOID
(High Stress)
STUBBORN
CAPITULATE
(High Stress)
ATTACK
AMIABLE
Excess Behaviour Tend to withdraw by agreeing. Defensive and over -reactive to criticism. Crushed if a leader, boss falls short. Fault-finding, never satisfied, humourless. Unwilling to see others vantage point. Uncompromising, stubborn, inflexable. All-or-nothing about others; little middle ground. Martyred, victimised, demoralised. Obsessive fixation on past problems, flaws. Self-absorbed with extreme psychic pain they are suffering.
EXPRESSIVE
Excess Behaviour Tend to attack with feelings. Will do almost anything to keep everyone happy. Agree to anything to get the pressure off. Unprincipled, opportunistic, deceptive. Cannot get down to business without some fun and fellowship to lighten things. Joke, tease, and quip at inappropriate times. Phoney, insincere, manipulative. Fail to keep promises, meet deadlines, and stick to routines, complete tasks.
(High Stress)
AGREE
(High Stress)
INSIST
SURRENDER
ASSAIL
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5. What can I do to make my leadership style more effective when dealing with people?
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WHEN TO FLEX Flexing costs energy, it is not our most comfortable behaviour. For most interactions our natural style is fine. But often it is important to start or finish an interaction with another person on the same wavelength. When there is something very important being discussed or when the other person is stressed, style flex can make the situation more comfortable for the other person. Finally, in group discussions or problem solving sessions we can flex towards other people to enable consensus to happen.
ASSUMPTIONS You can only control one half of a relationship - your half. By managing your half of the relationship well you can influence the other half constructively. Our goal in style flex is establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships. Style flex is not used to manipulate others or conceal genuine feelings. Treating the other person honestly, fairly and with respect is required for effective style flexing.
PLANNING GUIDE The following pages can be used to understand the way in which you can alter your assertiveness and responsiveness . These are general guidelines for how each style can flex to anothers style and how we can flex from our own style. They are meant to be guidelines and need to he adjusted to the particular person we want to flex to and to the situation. It requires us to be sensitive to th e other persons style and to our own tendencies to use unhelpful behaviour patterns.
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STYLE FLEXING
Increasing Responsiveness
Central Theme Emote a little more often Control a little less often How to increase Responsiveness: 1) Verbalise feelings 2) Pay personal compliments 3) Be willing to spend time on relationship 4) Engage in small -talk - socialise
Increasing Assertiveness
ANALYTIC Control Theme Tell a little more often AMIABLE Ask a little less often How to increase Assertiveness I) Get to the point 2) Volunteer information 3) Be willing to disagree 4) Act on your convictions 5) Initiate conversation
Low assertive High responsive Low assertive High responsive Low assertive Low responsive
Decreasing Assertiveness
DRIVER
High assertive Low assertive
EXPRESSIVE Tell a little less often How to decrease Assertiveness 1) Ask for others opinions 2) Negotiate decision -making 3) Listen without interrupting 4) Adapt to others time needs 5) Allow others to assume leadership more often
Decreasing Responsiveness
Central Theme Control a little more often Emote a little less often How to decrease Responsiveness 1) Talk less 2) Restrain your enthusiam 3) Make decisions based on facts 4) Stop and think 5) Acknowledge the ideas of others
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ANALYTICS
When Flexing to an ANALYTIC * Be moderately paced * Be well prepared * Provide information to catalyse decision * List pros and cons * Remove the risk * Talk about specific action plan * Be deliberate, prepared, systematic * Take notes * Allow them to proceed deliberately (slowly) * When ready, encourage them to decide * Follow up in writing
DRIVER
If you are a Driver, LISTEN Your fast-paced, tell-oriented, goaloriented approach often causes stress in people you work with. When you flex, make a determined effort to listen to others. Try to clearly understand their ideas, suggestions and requests. Equally important, listen until you understand the nature and strength of their feelings, the values and frame of reference that make their ideas worthwhile in their eyes.
AMIABLES
When flexing to AMIABLE * Be slow, relaxed, sincere * Emphasise cooperation, support * Give guarantees, assurances * Dont try and rush it * Make person-to-person contact * Negotiate action plans * Offer assurances of minimal risk * Encourage expressions of doubts, fears or misgivings * Emphasise feelings or working together * Be nice, drop some of your stiffness * Appeal to justice, ethics, truth
EXPRESSIVES
When flexing to an EXPRESSIVE * Pay compliments, attention * Interject fun * Tap competitive spirit but avoid arguments * Give big picture (few details) * Talk dreams/vision * Disclose appropriately about yourself * Allow time for socialisin g * Paraphrase agreements * Talk about their experiences * Drop names when appropriate * Insure follow-up and check details * Relax your posture somewhat
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DRIVER
When flexing to a DRIVER * Be task/goal oriented * Keep pace quick, lean forward * Get to business quickly * Be specific/clear * Honor time limits * Establish competence * Have presentation * Be concerned with * Have alternatives * Its over when its over * Dont bore with abstractions * Be ready for direct questions * Be energetic, fast-paced * Ask directly for a decision * Increase eye contact
ANALYTIC
If you are an Analytic, DECIDE Your slow, systematic fact gathering, careful weighing of alternatives and cautious decision making often trigger stress in your co-workers. When you flex, make a determined effort to decide. This means, in the discussion phase to declare - take a stand even if all the facts arent in. Then, dont let your fact gathering and careful weighing of alternatives be a bottleneck to the progress of others - decide. Once you have made your decision, act on it with reasonable haste.
AMIABLES EXPRESSIVES
When flexing to an AMIABLE * Be relaxed, sincere * Emphasise cooperation, support * Give guarantees, assurances * Make person-to-person contact * Negotiate action plans * Increase eye contact * Encourage expressions of doubts, * fears or misgivings * Emphasise value-added * Emphasise feelings or working together * Be nice * Appeal to justice, ethic, truth
-.
When flexing to an EXPRESSIVE * Be fast paced, energetic, less stiff * Use direct eye contact * Pay compliments, attention * Interject fun * Tap competitive spirit * Give big picture (fewer details) * Talk dreams/vision * Disclose appropriately about yourself * Allow time for socialising * Paraphrase agreement * Talk about their experiences * Drop names, when appropriate * Keep a balance between flowing with the Expressive and getting back on track
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ANALYTICS
When Flexing to an ANALYTIC * Be on time * Get down to business * Be well prepared * Provide information to catalyse decision * List pros and cons * Show that you think logically * Talk about specific action plan * Be deliberate, prepared systematic * Take notes * Allow them to proceed deliberately * Encourage them to decide * Flow up in writing
AMIABLE
If you are an Amiable, STRETCH Your slower-paced, people orientated, cooperative, low risk approach may stress your co-workers who are fasterpaced and more goal -oriented. When you flex, be sure to stretch. Demonstrate self-determination. Set and achieve attainable stretch goals. Dont dodge issues let others know where you stand. Challenge others to do their best.
DRIVER
When flexing to DRIVER * Be on time, honor time limits * Be task/goal orientated * Keep pace quick, energetic * Get to business quickly * Be specific/clear, focus on RESULTS * Give rationale * Establish competence * Have presentation ready * Have alternatives * Its over when its over * Dont bore with abstractions * Be ready for direct questions * Ask directly for a decision
EXPRESSIVES
When flexing to an EXPRESSIVE * Be fast paced, energetic * Use direct eye contact * Pay compliments, attention * Interject fun * tap competitive spirit * Give big picture * Talk dreams/vision * Paraphrase agreements * Talk about their experiences * Keep a balance between flowing with Expressive and getting back on track
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ANALYTICS
When Flexing to an ANALYTIC * Be on time * Be moderately paced, lower voice * Get down to business * Be well prepared * List pros and cons * Show that you can think logically * Remove the risk * Talk about specific action plan * Be deliberate, prepared, systematic * Take notes * Dont crowd their space, lean back * Encourage them to decide-give time Follow up in writing
EXPRESSIVE
If you are an Expressive, RESTRAIN Your quick, impulsive decisions and actions often based on hunches, may stress your co-workers who are less risk-orientated and/or more fact orientated than you. Your higher energy, verbal influence and loud voice may intimidate others. When you flex, be sure to restrain your impulsiveness. Check the facts before making decisions look before you leap. Also restrain your talkativeness; when others start to speak dont raise your voice and talk over them. Listen more. Finally restrain your tendency to be centre stage. Share the limelight with others.
DRIVERS
When flexing to DRIVER * Be on time, honor time limits * Be task/goal orientated * Keep pace quick, energetic * Get to business quickly * Be specific/clear, focus on RESULTS * Give rationale * Establish competence * Have presentation ready * Have alternatives * Its over when its over * Dont bore with abstractions * Be ready for direct questions * Ask directly for a decision
AMIABLES
When flexing to an EXPRESSIVE * Be slow, relaxed, sincere * Emphasise cooperation, support * Give guarantees, assurances, but dont over promise * Dont try and rush it * Dont engage in small talk * Negotiate action plans * Follow through on your responsibilities * Offer assurances of minimal risk * Encourage expressions of doubts, fears or misgivings * Emphasise working together * Speak more softly
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ANALYTIC
DRIVER
R E S P O N S I V E N E S S
EXPRESSIVE
Write the initials of the person whose style plan to flex to in the sub -quadrant that represents their style. Assertiveness: I need to increase increase decrease decrease continue continue
Responsiveness: I need to
Things I can do to flex to the others style: (include or decrease assertiveness and responsiveness)
Things I can do to flex to the others style: (include or decrease assertiveness and responsiveness)
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DRIVERS
HOW THEY LIKE TO BE MANAGED 1, Give them firm goals and leave alone. 2. Give feedback on accomplishments. 3. Grant freedom to make decisions. 4. Be frank and honest; candid. 5. Keep open lines of communication. 6. They like to be able to challenge authority. HOW THEY NEED TO BE MANAGED 1. They need more constraints; sometimes make decisions too quickly. 2. Need feedback on how they treat people. 3. They want heavy work schedule and heavy emphasis on results. COMMENTS TO OTHER SOCIAL STYLES ANALYTICS: Dont give so much detail, give them your decision. Dont be a bottleneck; make recommendations, conclusions. AMIABLES: Act interested in business. They appreciate your friendliness, but think about the task to be done. Dont be such a yes person. Be more decisive. EXPRESSIVES: Dont take so long, lets get down to business. Be less charismatic, more factual. Shorter messages.
AMIABLES
HOW THEY LIKE TO BE MANAGED 1. Give them well defined goals. 2. Give them direction/guidance on new responsibilities, give factual information. 3. Manage as individuals - not stereotypes. 4. They want reinforcement and reassurance. 5. Make instructions specific. . 6. Give them time to get the job done. 7. They want to be treated fairly and firmly. 8. They need reasons for changes. No manipulation, please HOW THEY NEED TO BE MANAGED 1. Need constructive changes occasionally. 2. Need clear, concise instructions as to task. 3. Need to be reminded to do adequate objective setting and action planning. 4. Need more frequent checks on progress. COMMENTS TO OTHER SOCIAL STYLES ANALYTICS: Less detail, please, and get to the point. DRIVERS: Slow down and listen to them. EXPRESSIVES: Get to the point quickly; finish what you start.
EXPRESSIVES
HOW THEY LIKE TO BE MANAGED 1. They operate independently. Like to work with boss as a colleague. 2. They like reinforcement. 3. They like opportunity to try new ideas. 4. Allow input into goal setting. 5. They like to be challenged. 6. They like minimum of paperwork. HOW THEY NEED TO BE MANAGED 1. Give them a heavy work schedule. 2. Have firm time guidelines on projects. 3. Give them critical input on ideas. 4. They may tackle too much. 5. Give constructive criticism; praise. COMMENTS TO OTHER SOCIAL STYLES ANALYTICS: Make more of an effort to be openminded with them on new ideas before being judgmental. Lets get something going. AMIABLES: Dont be so worried about everything. Dont be such a nice guy. Dont let your feelings enter and affect everything. DRIVERS: Try to take time to notice people as people. Dont push Your will on others, be more negotiable. Be more flexible.
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