Interpersonal Communication and Personality Type

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY TYPE

Why is communication important?

to relate to others and build relationships
to express ourselves and meet our needs
to share with others, to empathize and share intimacy
as a professional payoff there is a great advantage to being a good communicator (most successful people and corporations have strong communications
to get what you want, you need to learn the best method to communicate your desires

THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATIONS: IT IS MULTIFACETED

SENDER (encodes message)---->transmits message---->RECEIVER (decodes message)

1. SENDER

the source of the communication wants to send a thought, feeling or idea (message)

2. MESSAGE ENCODING

sender selects words that best describe the message using special intonation to emphasize parts
sender needs to structure message so that it can be easily understood

3. TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGE

the process of sending the message (face to face, telephone, fax,email)
the method of sending is the channel

4. MESSAGE DECODING

the receiver tries to make sense of message
words and symbols are decoded
receiver uses own understanding, previous experience, emotions ideas, beliefs to decode

5. RECEIVER

the target person- no two are alike, each brings unique outlook
important to keep the uniqueness of recipient into consideration

INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TYPE ON COMMUNICATION

receiver doesn't always understand message (the human dimension)
we all bring baggage to every situation
considering the type of personality gives an advantage
Interpretation is determined by attitudinal preference (introvert/extrovert); mode of information gathering (sensing/intuition); the way decisions are made (thinking/feeling); and how we orient (judging/perceiving)

PREFERRED TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

although there are different types each can learn to communicate effectively with all types

EXTROVERTED AND INTROVERTED COMMUNICATION STYLES

COMMUNICATING WITH EXTROVERTS

A. The Sunny side

extroverts draw energy externally; striking up conversation should be easy
extrovert is enthusiastic to participate in group
they prefer face to face over distant
they enjoy sharing experience- need contact
typically they -say what they mean and state what is on their minds

B. The Shadow Side

when two extroverts communicate both may say what is on their minds-difficulty in getting a word in!
there is tendency to speak first and think later-> hurt feelings
introvert can view extrovert as superficial or insincere
extrovert can impose themselves on quiet introvert

COMMUNICATING WITH INTROVERTS

A. The Sunny side

introvert is in minority and may be misunderstood
introvert energy is from within; they avoid the crowd and like independent activity
do not conclude that there is something wrong if they want to be alone
nonverbal communications can tell more
schedule appointment with introvert rather that dropping in
they are more difficult to get to know -reserved and share with a few
they have a small group of friends
some of most social communicators can be closet introverts

COMMUNICATING WITH INTROVERTS

A. The Shadow Side

introversion can be viewed as weakness by dominant group
introvert can be viewed as antisocial-lone wolf who needs to be fixed
introvert can be viewed as arrogant, condescending, unfriendly
others can project their fears onto quiet one

TIPS FOR INTROVERTS (communicating with extroverts)

* PRACTICE NON PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION- chit chat

* LOOK ALIVE -quick response, lively attitude

* BE EXPRESSIVE- show interest, emotion, involvement

* INITIATE CONTACT- start a conversation

* PROVIDE FEEDBACK- state how you feel

* CHANGE NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION-relax, smile,open

TIPS FOR EXTROVERTS (communicating with introverts)

* RESPECT PRIVACY-don't pry, impose

*TAKE TIME TO LISTEN

* FOSTER TRUST- guard secrets

* DON'T OVERPOWER-tone down

* DON'T JUDGE-all are different

SENSING AND INTUITIVE COMMUNICATION STYLES

COMMUNICATING WITH SENSORS

A. The Sunny Side

sensors are down to earth, realists base decisions on practical, factual
they talk about detail, feasibility, usefulness in detached way
concern with time, cost, procedure-orderly step-by-step
sensors will give specific examples
sensor will have schedule/agenda and will follow it

B. The Shadow Side

sensor can be overly aware of facts--> nit-pick--> others tune out
overdependence on problems could make them perceived as pessimist
experience isn't an absolute guarantee
sensor could find problem with thinker who uses theory and possibility

COMMUNICATING WITH INTUITIVES

A. The Sunny Side

intuitive has less of need to communicate facts--more global
intuitive will begin with concept, idea, insight, possibilities
intuitive relies on hunch, imagination
they love novel approach-conceptual level-abstract
will deviate from agenda
intuitives language is colourful, metaphoric

B. The Shadow Side

intuitive can appear vague-irritating to practical type
others may see communication with intuitive a waste of time
metaphor can get in way of clarity

TIPS FOR SENSORS (communicating with intuitives)

* DON'T OVERGENERALIZE OR STATE ABSOLUTES-personal experience doesn't guarantee truth-facts can be incomplete

* ALLOW TIME TO CONSIDER POSSIBILITIES-don't limit imagination

* BROADEN PERSPECTIVE- allow the conceptual

*LOOK FOR MEANINGS AND RELATIONSHIPS- intuitive interested in meaning-interpret facts

*FIND NEW WAYS TO EXPRESS INFORMATION-intuitve likes novel

TIPS FOR INTUITIVES (communicating with Sensors)

*FOCUS ON HERE AND NOW

* BASE IDEAS ON FACTUAL INFORMATION

* BE MORE DIRECT IN COMMUNICATION-omit metaphor

* APPEAR MORE LEVEL HEADED-careful with enthusiasm

* RESPECT TRADITIONAL METHODS

THINKING AND FEELING COMMUNICATION STYLES

COMMUNICATING WITH THINKERS

A. The Sunny Side

thinker enjoys theoretical issues-debate-discussion
they are objective-downplay personal
they are critical and objective
they are fair, rational, precise
they are goal oriented-donÕt like to waste time

B. The Shadow Side

thinker can be cold and impersonal
they can be tedious to others
their ideas can be impractical or useless
they may be too critical
their logical side can be limiting- some beliefs not based on logic

COMMUNICATING WITH FEELERS

A. The Sunny Side

feeler interaction is personal and subjective
they are friendly
they consider values and effect on other
they are emphatic and emotionally persuasive
they are receptive to others and inviting

B. The Shadow Side

feelers can be time wasters and may lack objectivity
they can be overwhelmed by enthusiasm or emotion
they can have difficulty expressing negative emotion

TIPS FOR THINKERS (communicating with feelers)

* MAKE COMMUNICATION PERSONAL RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL

* BE MORE APPRECIATIVE OF ANOTHER COMMENT-explore the feeling

* EXPAND COMMUNICATION MESSAGES- DON'T SOUND LIKE COMPUTER

* MAKE ROOM FOR NONRATIONAL/PARADOX- life to be lived not solved

TIPS FOR FEELERS (communicating with thinkers)

* GET TO POINT -omit friendly chit chat

* BE MORE OBJECTIVE-take self out-speak their language

* SEE BOTH SIDES- evaluate pros and cons

* FOCUS ON CONTENT-avoid touchy feely

JUDGING AND PERCEIVING COMMUNICATION STYLES

COMMUNICATING WITH JUDGERS

A. The Sunny Side

judgers are prepared in advance
they are oriented to schedules, timetables, plans
they are structured and organized
their mind set in based on closure
they are purposeful and task oriented
they limit digressions

B. The Shadow Side

judger can be rigid, inflexible, constricting, lacking in spontaneity
they may have less fun- no room for surprise
can be too serious and businesslike
can make premature decisions

COMMUNICATING WITH PERCEIVERS

A. The Sunny Side

perceivers are flexible, accommodating
cautious about stating conclusion
oriented to options and contingencies
responsive and adaptive

B. The Shadow Side

perceivers can have slow response time-lateness
they can be disorganized and ill-prepared
they can be indecisive-procrastinate
they can be ineffective
they may undermine their own confidence

TIPS FOR JUDGERS ( communicating with Perceivers)

* OPEN UP TO UNEXPECTED- disruptions will occur

* BUILD FLEXIBILITY -make downtime-go with flow

* DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS -evaluate

* LISTEN TO OTHER SIDE

* HARNESS NEED FOR CONTROL

TIPS FOR PERCEIVERS (communicating with judgers)

* BE LESS VAGUE-tell what is being considered-explain

* BE MORE DECISIVE- a timely decision

* WATCH USE OF "YEAH, BUT "

* ENSURE COMMUNICATIONS ARE ON TIME

Source: Mastering Human Relations 3rd Edition, A Falikowski, 2002. Pearson Education