Communication style and its effects on interactions

Communication Style

Question a would define my communication style as primarily supportive in my approach to working with others. A supportive person is someone who values positive relationships with colleagues, and is thus willing to be helpful in exchange for warmth and reciprocity. A supportive person prefers not to resort to 'power plays' to receive positive attention or to bridge differences. As a supportive person, I am always willing to listen to others, and to extend myself for others. I always prioritize helping others in my personal dealings, even on a professional level. For example, when I am at work, I take the time to get to know my colleagues and remember the landmark events in their lives. Even when I personally disagree with an individual, no matter how strident the discussion may be, I will always make a point of shaking hands at the end of the day and saying that we can 'disagree and still be friends.' I am enough of an "expressive" that I can still articulate my feelings, although I prefer to do so in a way that minimizes confrontation. I prefer not to make reference to any formal authority I might hold, unless it is a necessity, during a confrontation with a colleague.

Question B

Being supportive has allowed me to learn a great deal from others, both colleagues I disagree with as well as friends. It has made me an astute observer of humanity, as I am willing to see the world from another person's perspective. However, the weakness of this style is that often people mistake listening or seeking two sides of a problem as vulnerability. It can make me seem insufficiently aggressive. I know that I have gained a great deal of knowledge of other cultures, from observing my friends from backgrounds different than my own, but I also know that I have been passed up for opportunities because I did not seem enough of a 'go getter' or that I seem 'too nice.'

Question C

In dealing with Luther Hodge, I would first discover what specific background he came from. For example, if he was British I might try to respect his reserve, and try to curtail some of my stereotypically American gestures or bluntness towards him. I might also make some references to his culture that I found interesting. However, if Hodge came from a more highly emotive culture, I might still express my interest in aspects of his native land, but I might try to be more, rather than less reserved than is my custom.

In dealing with the reflective colleague whom I often disagreed with, I would try to make use of both of our common communicative styles, to establish a rapport. This might be difficult, because reflectives tend to be fairly uninterested in emotions, and more attuned to factual details. However, as both supportives and reflectives tend to be less confrontational, I would try to appeal to my colleague's fascination with facts, and emphasize our mutual styles as introverts. As both of us are rather introverted, as opposed to extroverted, creating a sense of quiet dialogue might be the best way to broach our differences.