WHAT DID YOU SAY HOW COMMUNICATION WORKS IN

WHAT DID YOU SAY? HOW COMMUNICATION WORKS IN THE WORKPLACE EMILY DIRECTOR, CARL WEBEL SANDBURG COLLEGE FOUNDATION

KEY TAKEAWAYS • Identify your communication style • Understand empathize with people who have other communication styles • Understand the college’s shared purpose and how it affects our ability to communicate when we forget it • The importance of Body Language • Practice

NAVIGATING PEOPLE HOW COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY GO HAND IN HAND

ASSUMPTIONS CAN BE MISLEADING • “I didn’t hear it that way. ” • “What does that mean? ” • I just don’t understand him/her!” • “How she/he said it was wrong. ” • “How come I didn’t know that? ” • “If I could just know where he/she is coming from…” • “What the heck is that person even talking about?

EMPATHY, FLEXIBILITY, INFORMATION CAN COUNTERACT ASSUMPTIONS • Disc Personality Analysis • Four Types of Communication Styles in the Workplace

WHO ARE YOU? Dominant Influencer Conscientious Steady

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY IS EVERYTHING

• 80% of our day at work is spent in meetings, on the phone, responding to emails, but…communication in the workplace is never easy. ACCORDING TO THE 2016 HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW… 69% of managers say they’re uncomfortable communicating with employees.

FOUR COMMUNICATION STYLES IN A WORKPLACE • Analytical • Intuitive • Functional • Personal

• How to work with analytical communicators: – Provide as much detail upfront – Set clear expectations – Give independent work time • Avoid: – Emotional conversation – Framing feedback on work as criticism ANALYTICAL Loves hard data Numbers Specific language

• How to work with intuitive communicators: – Stick to the main topic and keep it high level – Be prepared for follow-up questions – Keep details at a minimum • Avoid: – Too many details – Making too big of promises INTUITIVE Big Picture Thinkers Broad overviews Thinks Out-of-the. Box

• How to work with functional communicators: – Expect them to ask for details, even if we’re just brainstorming – Ask follow-up questions and be an “active listener” • Avoid: – Rushing them – Assuming they support an idea 100%, because thinking will about the process, not the overall. FUNCTIONAL Loves process, details, thoughtthrough plans, timelines

• How to work with personal communicators: – Keep conversation light and casual – Not get offended when asked how you “feel” – Follow up with important details after the meeting…they’re too busy thinking about the “feels” • Avoid: – Talking down to them or being overly pessimistic – Trying to contain the conversation with facts and figures – Pressuring them to do a deep dive into the details with you PERSONAL Values connection, relationships and emotional language overall Good listeners The “glue” in the organization

HOW CAN SO MANY STYLES COEXIST?

AND WHY IS UNDERSTANDING THIS IMPORTANT?

CULTURE OF CARING • Warm and Fuzzy Definition – You are valued – You are heard – You are proud to be here – You own your situation, your space • Analytical/Logical Definition – High level functioning is produced because accountability is shared – When expectations are clear, mistakes and misunderstandings are easily and professionally addressed

IMPORTANCE OF SHARED VALUES • What are Sandburg’s Shared Values? – Excellence – Collaboration – Integrity – Respect

WHEN YOU DEMONSTRATE OUR SHARED VALUES…

ONE LAST COMPONENT! • Body language

LET’S PRACTICE POSTURE!

END RESULT? • Understanding leads to calm • A calm workplace is productive workplace • A productive workplace is a rewarding workplace • A rewarding workplace is fulfilling • And feeling fulfilled will emulate in your work and overall life

QUESTIONS? THANK YOU!