Page 19 - Kindness - No Forward

Understand How Your Behavioral Style Works

My purpose here is not to simplify or minimize the complex science of
behavior, but rather to encourage you to begin a process of understanding
your own behavioral style and realizing that it is often different than the
style of the person to whom you are speaking.

Sometimes the differences complement, sometimes they conflict.
Adapting can minimize or eliminate the conflict. And it could make good
relationships even better.

In every instance, difference is good. However, we can adapt out styles to
become appealing to people of any behavioral type.

A woman at one of my seminars once stated that she was having a
particular problem with one of her co-workers; a person who displayed a
dominant, forceful personality. Once she gained an understanding of her
own behavioral style and was able to identify the style of her co-worker,
she was able to make some adjustments in the way she communicated
with the difficult co-worker. With great enthusiasm, she subsequently
related that not only had she made a dramatic improvement in their
communication and their relationship, but that her boss had noticed it as
well and complimented her on her efforts. Her “understanding” was
showing and others could see it!