Communication styles

Pick the side of each pair that sounds more like you. Three minutes — you'll see your style and how to flex toward people who don't share it.

Item 1: I'm usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them. vs I'm not usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them.
I'm usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them.

Strongly agrees with: I'm usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them. Leans toward: I'm usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them. Leans toward: I'm not usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them. Strongly agrees with: I'm not usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them.

I'm not usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationships with them.
Item 2: I usually react slowly and deliberately. vs I usually react quickly and spontaneously.
I usually react slowly and deliberately.

Strongly agrees with: I usually react slowly and deliberately. Leans toward: I usually react slowly and deliberately. Leans toward: I usually react quickly and spontaneously. Strongly agrees with: I usually react quickly and spontaneously.

I usually react quickly and spontaneously.
Item 3: I'm usually guarded about other people's use of my time. vs I'm usually open to other people's use of my time.
I'm usually guarded about other people's use of my time.

Strongly agrees with: I'm usually guarded about other people's use of my time. Leans toward: I'm usually guarded about other people's use of my time. Leans toward: I'm usually open to other people's use of my time. Strongly agrees with: I'm usually open to other people's use of my time.

I'm usually open to other people's use of my time.
Item 4: I usually introduce myself at social gatherings. vs I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gatherings.
I usually introduce myself at social gatherings.

Strongly agrees with: I usually introduce myself at social gatherings. Leans toward: I usually introduce myself at social gatherings. Leans toward: I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gatherings. Strongly agrees with: I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gatherings.

I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gatherings.
Item 5: I usually focus my conversations on the interests of the people involved, even if that means straying from the business or subject at hand. vs I usually focus my conversations on the tasks, issues, business, or subject at hand.
I usually focus my conversations on the interests of the people involved, even if that means straying from the business or subject at hand.

Strongly agrees with: I usually focus my conversations on the interests of the people involved, even if that means straying from the business or subject at hand. Leans toward: I usually focus my conversations on the interests of the people involved, even if that means straying from the business or subject at hand. Leans toward: I usually focus my conversations on the tasks, issues, business, or subject at hand. Strongly agrees with: I usually focus my conversations on the tasks, issues, business, or subject at hand.

I usually focus my conversations on the tasks, issues, business, or subject at hand.
Item 6: I'm usually not assertive, and I can be patient with a slow pace. vs I'm usually assertive, and at times I can be impatient with a slow pace.
I'm usually not assertive, and I can be patient with a slow pace.

Strongly agrees with: I'm usually not assertive, and I can be patient with a slow pace. Leans toward: I'm usually not assertive, and I can be patient with a slow pace. Leans toward: I'm usually assertive, and at times I can be impatient with a slow pace. Strongly agrees with: I'm usually assertive, and at times I can be impatient with a slow pace.

I'm usually assertive, and at times I can be impatient with a slow pace.
Item 7: I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence. vs I usually make decisions on feelings, experiences, or relationships.
I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence.

Strongly agrees with: I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence. Leans toward: I usually make decisions based on facts or evidence. Leans toward: I usually make decisions on feelings, experiences, or relationships. Strongly agrees with: I usually make decisions on feelings, experiences, or relationships.

I usually make decisions on feelings, experiences, or relationships.
Item 8: I usually contribute frequently to group conversations. vs I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations.
I usually contribute frequently to group conversations.

Strongly agrees with: I usually contribute frequently to group conversations. Leans toward: I usually contribute frequently to group conversations. Leans toward: I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations. Strongly agrees with: I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations.

I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations.
Item 9: I usually prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible. vs I usually prefer to work independently or dictate the conditions in terms of how others are involved.
I usually prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible.

Strongly agrees with: I usually prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible. Leans toward: I usually prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible. Leans toward: I usually prefer to work independently or dictate the conditions in terms of how others are involved. Strongly agrees with: I usually prefer to work independently or dictate the conditions in terms of how others are involved.

I usually prefer to work independently or dictate the conditions in terms of how others are involved.
Item 10: I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly. vs I usually make emphatic statements or directly express opinions.
I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly.

Strongly agrees with: I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly. Leans toward: I usually ask questions or speak tentatively and indirectly. Leans toward: I usually make emphatic statements or directly express opinions. Strongly agrees with: I usually make emphatic statements or directly express opinions.

I usually make emphatic statements or directly express opinions.
Item 11: I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts, or results. vs I usually focus primarily on persons, interactions, and feelings.
I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts, or results.

Strongly agrees with: I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts, or results. Leans toward: I usually focus primarily on ideas, concepts, or results. Leans toward: I usually focus primarily on persons, interactions, and feelings. Strongly agrees with: I usually focus primarily on persons, interactions, and feelings.

I usually focus primarily on persons, interactions, and feelings.
Item 12: I usually use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points. vs I usually do not use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points.
I usually use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points.

Strongly agrees with: I usually use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points. Leans toward: I usually use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points. Leans toward: I usually do not use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points. Strongly agrees with: I usually do not use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points.

I usually do not use gestures, facial expression, and voice intonation to emphasise points.
Item 13: I usually accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns). vs I usually don't accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns).
I usually accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns).

Strongly agrees with: I usually accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns). Leans toward: I usually accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns). Leans toward: I usually don't accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns). Strongly agrees with: I usually don't accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns).

I usually don't accept others' points of view (ideas, feelings, and concerns).
Item 14: I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner. vs I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic or unpredictable manner.
I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner.

Strongly agrees with: I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner. Leans toward: I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner. Leans toward: I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic or unpredictable manner. Strongly agrees with: I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic or unpredictable manner.

I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic or unpredictable manner.
Item 15: I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private, sharing only when I wish to do so. vs I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feelings with others.
I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private, sharing only when I wish to do so.

Strongly agrees with: I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private, sharing only when I wish to do so. Leans toward: I usually prefer to keep personal feelings and thoughts private, sharing only when I wish to do so. Leans toward: I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feelings with others. Strongly agrees with: I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feelings with others.

I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feelings with others.
Item 16: I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations. vs I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships.
I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations.

Strongly agrees with: I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations. Leans toward: I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations. Leans toward: I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships. Strongly agrees with: I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships.

I usually choose known or similar situations and relationships.
Item 17: I'm usually responsive to others' agenda, interests, and concerns. vs I'm usually directed toward my own agendas, interests, and concerns.
I'm usually responsive to others' agenda, interests, and concerns.

Strongly agrees with: I'm usually responsive to others' agenda, interests, and concerns. Leans toward: I'm usually responsive to others' agenda, interests, and concerns. Leans toward: I'm usually directed toward my own agendas, interests, and concerns. Strongly agrees with: I'm usually directed toward my own agendas, interests, and concerns.

I'm usually directed toward my own agendas, interests, and concerns.
Item 18: I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly. vs I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly.
I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly.

Strongly agrees with: I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly. Leans toward: I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly. Leans toward: I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly. Strongly agrees with: I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly.

I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly.