Page 23 - Kindness - No Forward

There’s an Agenda for Every Style

The different communications styles all have different agendas. If we know
the other person’s style, we can identify the broad stroke of the agenda
with reasonable accuracy.

The LION’s agenda is the task at hand. Is fairly safe to assume that their
first priority is going to be whatever they are doing at that time. Knowing
this, we want to communicate in a way that causes them little interruption
or aids them in finishing their task.

If we can identify which of the LION’s tasks are important at the moment,
we can get in sync with the LION. Likewise, if we have different agendas
when we interface, we’ll have difficulty communicating effectively.

The PORPOISE’s agenda is different from the LION. The PORPOISE is
motivated by self-approval. Their agenda will be not as focused on what
they are working on as it is gaining other’s approval and recognition.

Just by these two examples, we can see how different agendas can cause
conflict and poor communications.

The LION wants to work on their task. The PORPOISE comes into the
picture wanting some recognition. This comes in the form of small talk.
The LION doesn’t want to slow down and visit. The PORPOISE is upset by
the LION’s snub. Neither of their needs is met. Communication isn’t good.

The KOALA’s agenda is teamwork and status quo. The like peace and
calmness, so the are motivated by things staying pretty much the same
way, unless careful analysis shows how change could bring improvement.

Think about how the different agendas of the KOALA and the LION might
mix.

The LION likes change; give them a few logical facts and you’ll see things
changing fast. Compare that to the agenda of the KOALA; let’s slow things
down. The LION wants action; the KOALA wants to move slower. The LION
needs results; the KOALA needs support. Different agendas. The
result….conflict.

Then there’s the agenda of the FOX….accuracy and procedure. They are
motivated by correctness, the proper way of doing things.