Have you ever felt nervous talking to someone? Felt as if you just don’t connect with that person? I can confidently say that everyone has reached that point at least once in his or her life. During school, the one thing I am constantly reminded of is, “Public Relations is a career based on two-way asymmetrical communication.” I bet most of you are reading this and thinking, “What does that even mean?” It is easier to comprehend than it seems, so let me explain it for you.
In the world of business, effective communication revolves around two-way conversations; mutual interactions between two individuals. To be honest, sometimes it can be difficult sparking that initial conversation, especially when you are talking with someone who seems completely different from you. This is something that must be overcome in public relations because ultimately, it is our job to put ourselves out there and make those connections.
So, I decided to help you all out so that you too can communicate with people who have different communication styles. Maybe they will help you avoid those awkward moments!
According to psychologist David Merrell, there are four simple ways of personality typing through someone’s behavior. These include:
Analytical – Analytics enjoy data and find it necessary in order to make decisions. Therefore, decisions could take a long time so that they are 100% sure of their choices. Typically, they require detailed reports and will talk through points at length. Usually, they are happiest working alone.
Amiable – These are the planners and the cheerful competitors, as Merrell puts it. They can do anything they set their mind to, and if they don’t, they know someone who can. Tolerant, amiable’s love to express their opinions and feel the most responsible while disliking uncertainty.
Expressive – Known as cheerful advocates, these humans are both sociable and happy. Their voices are usually the loudest and tend to often finish the sentences of others. They are imaginative, creative, and are fast-moving go-getters. Lastly, they are not detailed oriented, do not handle conflict effectively, and want everyone around them to feel comfortable.
Driver – I’m sure you could guess from their name, but these are the leaders of the pack. Drivers make decisions quickly, are fast moving, and at times can be prone to aggression. You will not want to get in the way of their vision because they can be set in their ways.
Now that you have been given the four groups, it is essential to know who gets along the most! Drivers are opposite of Amiable’s and Analytics are opposite from Expressives. Through recognizing people’s personality types, hopefully knowing these traits can help the conversations flow a little smoother. Just remember that everyone is human, and always stay true to who you are.
