Our accomplishments in the workplace often depend on how well we can communicate our needs and objectives to others. Truly effective communication requires an understanding of other people's styles as well as our own. Take this quiz from How to Become a Better Negotiator by James G. Patterson to determine your personal dominant communication style - Listener, Creator, Doer or Thinker - then read on for some insight into each style.

Communication Style Quiz:
Print this page then read each phrase and check the word that best describes you. Then count up the check marks in each of the four columns and consult the Scoring Key to find determine your dominant style.

1.	Manner is basically		accepting		friendly		controlling		evaluative
2.	Decision making		slow		emotional		impulsive		fact-based
3.	I talk about		personal things		people		achievements		organization
4.	Using time		not rushed		socializer		rushed		runs late
5.	Relates to others		accepting		empathizer		commands		assessing
6.	Gestures		sparse		open		impatient		closed
7.	Clothing		conforms		very stylish		formal		conservative
8.	Work pace		steady		enthusiastic		fast		controlled
9.	Listening		interested		distracted		impatient		selective
10.	Work area has		keepsakes		pictures		awards		charts
11.	Oriented toward		support		people		results		facts
12.	Basic personality		easygoing		outgoing		dominating		no-nonsense
13.	Communication		low-key		animated		direct		reserved
14.	Responsive to others		steady		friendly		restless		distant

TOTALS

I.

Listener:_____

II.

Creator:_____

III.

Doer:_____

IV.

Thinker:_____

Scoring Key
7 or more = Strong Preference
5-6 = Moderate Preference
0-2 = Low Preference Characteristics of Each Communication Style

I. Listener
People oriented
Believe there is more than one method to achieve the same results
Demand a voice in decisions that affect them
Place a high premium on relationships
Can be slow decision makers
Don't delegate well
Seek security; don't take risks

Conflict: Mainly with Doers

Advice: Try to be more assertive. Focus less on relationships and more on tasks. Learn to make observations based on facts, not subjective judgments.

II. Creator
Enthusiastic, excitement driven
Like public speaking and attention
May be too talkative
Persuasive and optimistic
Creative
Good sense of humor
Can be impulsive, make snap decisions
Have problems following through with an idea

Conflict: Mainly with Thinkers

Advice: Slow down. Try to be less intense

III. Doer
Pragmatic
Assertive
Results oriented
Competitive
Competent
Very verbal
Excellent problem solver
Risk taker
Can be arrogant and domineering
Can be poor listener and impatient

Conflict: Mainly with Listeners

Advice: Slow down. Count to ten before responding. Learn to listen more. Work at showing your feelings, being more interested in relationships and being more open.

IV. Thinker
Detail oriented
Can be slow decision makers
Like rules and predictability
Lowest risk taker
Analytical
Conservative
Can be rigid, overly serious and indecisive

Conflict: Mainly with Creators

Advice: Try to move faster, show less need for endless detail, be less rigid about following policies. Take more risks. Show more personal concern for others.

Courtesy ASME's Affinity Partner, American Management Association (AMA)

For more information about this book and other AMACOM business titles, go to
http://www.amanet.org/books/catalog/MGS.htm