Brian Bettencourt

College of the Sequoias

June 12, 2020
Defining Communication
The patterns of behavior that others can observe
can be called communication style.
Based on impressions and observable patterns of
behavior.
Understanding your communication style
benefits you and your coworkers.
Key component of the 3 Relationships;
Relationship with self, another person, with group
members.
Communication Style Concepts
Individual differences exist and are important.
Allows an individual to uniquely identify an
individual’s communication style.
Based on patterns of behavior
Eye contact, gestures, speech patterns, facial
expressions, and degree of assertiveness.
Ind. style differences tend to be stable.
Research shows that an individual develops a
primary communication style that remains stable
throughout life.
Communication Style Concepts
Limited number of styles.
People fall into one of several behavior patterns.
A communication style is a way of thinking and
behaving.
The preferred method of communicating.
The Communication Style Concepts
Understand the behavior patterns of the people you
work with.
Identify
Understand
Respond
Communication style bias
The Communication Style Model
A model that comprises the 4 basic communication
styles.
Describes your preferences, not your skills and
abilities.
The Dominance Continuum
Dominance is defined as the tendency to display a
“take-charge” attitude.
The Communication Style Model
Dominance Continuum
People fall into 2 categories of dominance:
Low dominance: tendency to be cooperative
and eager to assist others.
Low assertiveness and are compliant to be
controlled.
High dominance: advice givers and initiate
demands. Assertive and seek control.
The Communication Style Model
Sociability Continuum
Sociability is the tendency to seek and
enjoy social relationships.
Expressive, talkative, and outgoing.
Low sociability people are generally more
reserved and formal in social relationships.
Four Basic Communication Styles
Emotive Style: Upper-right hand quadrant
combines high sociability and high dominance.
Talkative, enthusiastic, animated.
Easy to express his or hers point of view.
Four Basic Communication Styles
Directive Style: Lower-right hand quadrant
combines high dominance with low sociability.
Projects serious attitude (this is business)
Express strong opinions.
Difficulty in projecting a warm and caring
attitude.
Four Basic Communication Styles
Reflective Style: Lower-left hand quadrant
combines low dominance and low sociability.
Generally quiet and likes solitude.
Slow and deliberate when making decisions.
Hard to get to know.
Four Basic Communication Styles
Supportive Style: Upper-left hand combines low
dominance with high sociability.
Cooperative, patient, and attentive.
Attentive listeners.
Rely on friendly persuasion than power.
Makes and expresses decisions in a thoughtful,
deliberate manner, and nonthreatening.
Variations
Communication styles vary in terms of intensity.
(Intensity Zones)
Zone 1 people are less intense in their behavioral
style.
Not as obvious in their mannerisms.
Variations
Zone 2 people display their characteristics with
greater intensity.
Easier to tell the difference between sides of
continuum.
Excess Zone is dubbed the danger zone.
Inflexible and lack versatility.
Style Flexing
Deliberate altering of one’s style to meet
the needs of another.
Being more agreeable
Way to be more productive with others.