How to adapt your communication style.

Have you found that it is easier to connect with some people more than others? Networking is all about meeting and communicating with people and the more people you can connect with the better your networking will be. But chances are you are only really making a connection with 25% of the people you meet. Communication barriers could be preventing you from making valuable connections with the other 75% of people you need to meet.

Effective networkers understand that everyone has a preferred communication style, that is the way they like to interact with others e.g. some people like to start with a story, to get to know you but others just want you to get to the point. We are all different and the key to effective networking is to understand those differences, and be able to recognise the different communication styles and adapt your own style to match the needs of the people you meet.

Here are some tips about four key communication types and how best to connect with them:

Directors. These people like to control the conversation and are used to being in charge.
How to recognise them: They are probably the one in a group who is leading the discussion.
How to communicate with them: A great way to connect with Directors is to ask them for an opinion e.g. “What are you wanting to achieve from your networking here this evening?”

Inspirers. These people like to engage with others in friendly, upbeat conversation.
How to recognise them: They will be chatting enthusiastically with a group around them.
How to communicate with them: A great way to connect with Inspirers is to join in the conversation e.g. “Hi, this looks like an interesting conversation. Do you mind if I join you?”

Relaters. These people enjoy the process of networking and go about it in an organised, personal way.
How to recognise them: They are probably talking one on one and engaged in a friendly, and seemingly more deep conversation.
How to communicate with them: A great way to connect with Relaters is to let them notice you and let them take the lead. You could do this by making eye contact, smiling and saying hello.

Analysers. These people are more introverted and like to assess the situation before moving in.
How to recognise them: They may be standing by themselves or at the coffee table, observing the crowd.
How to communicate with them: A great way to connect with Analysers is indirectly e.g. you may come up along side them and make a comment about the gathering, such as “There seems to be a lot of people at this event, what brings you here today?”

We each have our own preferred communication style and the key to effective networking is to learn to adapt your style to the four different communication types. One of the main reasons why people miss out on so many networking opportunities is that they focus on people who are just like them, because they feel more comfortable communicating this way. But learning how to connect with the other 75% of communication types will mean a massive increase in your networking effectiveness.

Warren Howard is an Accredited Facilitator of the DiSC Behaviour Profiling process, a world leading assessment tool for improving individual and team communication effectiveness. Click here for more information: http://www.howardco.com.au/Howardco_Business_and_HR_Solutions/DiSc.html 

INVITATION: Successful Business Matters Expo on the 3rd of June at the Woodlands Golf Club 

When you are in business, there is a lot to consider and keep a handle on. Successful Business Matters! That’s why our event was designed to help you to recognise opportunity, meet the challenges, find the solutions and grow your business success.

I would personally like to invite you to come and join me at the Successful Business Matters Expo on the 3^rd of June.

I am joining a great line up of experts and exhibitors and will be running a workshop on Building a HIgh Performance Workplace and will be available to answer any questions you may have about Employee Engagement and Teamwork.

Until the 16^th of May tickets are just $30 and available at: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/successful-business-matters-business-expo-tickets-10829584579

Each attendee to the expo will be getting a jammed packed USB full of tips and resources from our exhibitors and host ranging from e-Books and templates to fact sheets and more.

Come along and engage with exhibitors and experts and take advantage of the information source that is The Successful Business Matters Expo.

I look forward to seeing you there.