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Has anyone said that to you before? Communication can be tricky. It鈥檚 not always easy to know what to say, how to say it, or even if to say anything. We all communicate convey and process information – differently. Understanding how people communicate and being in touch with your dominant communication style is critical in career and work settings.

Business Communication Scenarios

Consider these scenarios: Sally sends an email message to Robert that provides bulleted details and numbered questions. If Robert responds at all, it goes something like this, 鈥渢ks,鈥� which leaves Sally frustrated.

John sends an email to Doris who always responds with a phone call or by showing up in his office to discuss it. John is left wondering, 鈥淒oesn鈥檛 she know how to just click 鈥榬eply鈥�!鈥�

Nathan seeks in-person meetings. Every time. He is slow to formulate opinions, wanting first some sense of how others feel about an issue. He can鈥檛 read Robert, likes Doris鈥檚 approach, and he frustrates Sally.

What Are Communication Styles?

Everyone has a dominant communication style. There are three basic communication styles, all of which are reflected in the examples above: Visual (Sally), Auditory (Doris), and Kinesthetic (Nathan).

• Visual: People with a visual preference like their communication to be orderly, organized and brief. They like orderly emails that contain 鈥渧isual鈥� information, like bullets or numbered instructions, and/or contains words and phrases like, 鈥渢o illustrate,鈥� 鈥渇ocus,鈥� and 鈥淚t appears that,鈥� work well. Visual communicators also like face-to-face interaction because they like to see the other person鈥檚 reaction, but won鈥檛 respond well to long verbal instructions.
• Auditory: Auditory communicators want to talk by phone and hear what鈥檚 needed. They鈥檒l listen for, and be responsive to, changes in the tones of voices. They will take remember verbal instructions and take those instructions literally. Words and phrases like, 鈥淚t sounds like鈥� or 鈥渞esonate鈥� work well.
• Kinesthetic: People who have a dominant kinesthetic learning style want to be in touch with feelings. They are the 鈥渢ouchy-feely鈥� type who are quick with a handshake or a hug and will make decisions based on feelings (their own or their teams鈥� feelings). Use words and phrases like, 鈥淢y gut feeling is鈥� or 鈥済et a hold of this.鈥�

Why Communication Is Important in Business

Understanding that people process information definitely can help with office efficiency and productivity, especially if you realize when you have to change your approach with specific individuals. For example, if your boss is an auditory communicator, sending her a long, detailed email will not impress, may annoy, and could delay or prevent a response. Instead, pick up the phone or send a very short email asking for a face-to-face meeting. She will appreciate it and your objective will be met far more effectively.

Without question, it鈥檚 difficult to break form and adopt a communication style that is not as comfortable for you. Doing so, however, will ensure better office dynamics and positive outcomes.

番茄社区app offers multiple business undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs through the College of Undergraduate Studies.

About the author:聽 Tamie Hopp is the Director of Alumni & Foundation Services for 番茄社区app. She can be reached at thopp@national.edu. For more information on alumni relations, visit nauconnect.com. Information about the 番茄社区app Foundation can be found at .