One of the services I provide for my legends is a recruitment profile and interview for potential employees.
I have a couple of profiles that I use depending on the outcome we are looking for.
One of the questions I ask to find out their preferred communication style is “If you had a message to give to a colleague at work, would you: a: walk down the hall and deliver it face to face (assuming no Covid restrictions), b: send an email c: send an SMS, d: post it via the interoffice mail or e: call them?”
Just as it’s important for us to know their preferred communication style, I am often flabbergasted at what appears to be such little interest or little knowledge displayed by employees, to understand how best to communicate with their managers.
For example, some of my legends have shared with me how their former employees have simply sent an SMS message to resign.
Others have complained how employees will SMS or email when they are unwell and will not be going to work. In fact, one company has now implemented a policy for employees to call their manager when they will not be coming to work, so that the manager can find out if there are any urgent tasks that need to be dealt with during their absence.
Another example includes emailing the boss with a list of complaints and an ultimatum, (not in these words but the message was clear), “Fix it or else (I’m leaving)”.
If you want to influence someone to give you what you want, you MUST discover their preferred communication style and use it.
If you don’t, you run the risk of them reacting to the manner instead of the message. It certainly won’t help your message or your request.
I have to ask, “What’s your preferred communication style?” and “Do you know what your manager’s is?”
If you don’t know or are unsure, how can you find out? (Hint: Ask them, or notice how they communicate with you. You’d most likely ask your customers, wouldn’t you?)
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