We've covered personality differences and motivation drivers. Now let's explore how these show up in daily communication - the most important leadership skill.
Think about your last team meeting. Some people spoke up immediately, others stayed quiet. Some focused on facts, others on feelings.
Engagement Message
Share one communication difference you've observed in your team.
Here's what many leaders miss: people don't just have different personalities - they have completely different communication styles and preferences.
What feels natural and comfortable to you might feel overwhelming or insufficient to someone else.
Engagement Message
Can you think of someone whose communication style confuses you?
Research identifies four primary communication styles based on two key dimensions: how direct people are, and whether they focus on tasks or relationships.
These aren't personality types - they're communication preferences that you can observe and adapt to.
Engagement Message
Do you tend to be more direct or more diplomatic?
Let's start with directness. Direct communicators get straight to the point: "We need this done by Friday." They value efficiency and clarity.
Indirect communicators soften their approach: "When you get a chance, could we possibly look at finishing this by Friday?" They value harmony and consideration.
Engagement Message
Which approach—direct or indirect—feels more natural to you?
The second dimension is task focus versus people focus. Task-focused communicators prioritize getting work done efficiently.
People-focused communicators prioritize relationships and how decisions affect team members. They ask about feelings and consider personal impact.
Engagement Message
In meetings, do you focus more on the agenda or the people?
