What are the best ways to communicate with partners who have different styles than you?

Communication is a key skill for any successful partnership, but it can be challenging when you have to deal with partners who have different styles than you. Whether they are more direct or indirect, formal or casual, assertive or passive, you need to adapt your approach to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. In this article, you will learn some tips on how to communicate with partners who have different styles than you and how to leverage your differences for mutual benefit.

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1 Identify your own style

Before you can communicate effectively with others, you need to understand your own communication style and preferences. How do you express your opinions, feedback, and expectations? How do you handle disagreements, emotions, and deadlines? How do you like to receive information, instructions, and recognition? You can use various tools and frameworks, such as the DISC model, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or the Communication Style Matrix, to assess your communication style and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

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2 Learn about your partner's style

Once you have a clear picture of your own style, you need to learn about your partner's style and how it differs from yours. You can do this by observing their behavior, listening to their words, and asking them questions. For example, you can notice how they greet you, how they structure their emails, how they respond to requests, and how they handle conflicts. You can also ask them how they prefer to communicate, what they value, and what they expect from you.

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3 Adapt your style to your partner's style

After you have identified your own style and your partner's style, you need to adapt your style to your partner's style to create rapport and trust. This does not mean that you have to change your personality or compromise your values, but that you have to adjust your tone, language, and approach to suit your partner's needs and preferences. For example, if your partner is more direct than you, you can be more concise and clear in your messages. If your partner is more casual than you, you can use more informal and friendly expressions.

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4 Respect your partner's style

While adapting your style to your partner's style is important, you also need to respect your partner's style and avoid judging or criticizing it. Remember that different styles are not better or worse than each other, but just different ways of communicating. You can appreciate the diversity and learn from your partner's perspective and experience. You can also acknowledge and validate your partner's style by giving them positive feedback and recognition.

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5 Communicate your expectations and boundaries

Another way to communicate with partners who have different styles than you is to communicate your expectations and boundaries clearly and respectfully. You can do this by setting goals, roles, and responsibilities together, and by agreeing on the frequency, mode, and format of communication. You can also express your needs, preferences, and concerns openly and honestly, and ask for clarification and confirmation when needed. You can also establish boundaries and limits on what you can and cannot do, and what you are comfortable and uncomfortable with.

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Randall Haug

Account Executive | Author | Keynote Speaker | Servant Leader | Catalyst | Military Leadership
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If you communicate this upfront and openly with your partner/team they have all the information. They can be surprised in the future as long as your communication doesn’t change. There is a lot that goes into that though. Channel of communication, inflection, the words you use, how you use them, etc. Awareness is key.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

Finally, you can communicate with partners who have different styles than you by seeking feedback and improvement regularly. You can do this by asking your partner how they feel about the communication, what they like and dislike, and what they suggest to improve. You can also give your partner constructive and respectful feedback on their communication, and share your own suggestions and ideas. You can also monitor and evaluate the results and outcomes of the communication, and celebrate the achievements and successes.

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Saket B

Business Development & Sales I Partnerships & Alliances I Strategy & Consulting I Leadership & Influence I People & Culture Driven I Telecom, Consumer Goods & BFSI
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Communication,as it is, is a delicate and sensitive subject when it comes to communicating with partners having different styles. Many a times, the way we communicate is conditioned by our learning, past experiences and other factors.To succeed in such a scenario, -Observation and understanding partners, their verbal and non-verbal cues and the way they conduct their business helps prepare a broad base approach. - Listening mindfully, reading b/w the lines and unearthing true meaning/motive behind words would help narrow down the way ahead. - Creating an environment of trust and transparency goes a long way in removing lots of mental blocks & barriers. -Avoiding “You Vs Me”, “Agree to Disagree” and Respecting Differences shall do the trick.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to communicate with partners who have different styles than you?

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1 Identify your own style

2 Learn about your partner's style

3 Adapt your style to your partner's style

4 Respect your partner's style

5 Communicate your expectations and boundaries

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Partnerships

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What are the best ways to communicate with partners who have different styles than you?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your own style

2 Learn about your partner's style

3 Adapt your style to your partner's style

4 Respect your partner's style

5 Communicate your expectations and boundaries

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Partnerships

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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