Strategic Communication
We all communicate—often without effort. But that’s the problem! While communication might feel effortless, it’s a difficult skill to master. Teaching communication to others? That’s even tougher.
Different Preferences are a Challenge
One of the biggest challenges? People communicate differently—and they don’t know this! And those differences can lead to misunderstandings. For example: You may value meaningful conversations where feelings are acknowledged. Then you meet someone who values concise task-focused discussions. You could feel brushed off, while they feel overwhelmed. The result? Both of you are frustrated and misread each other’s intent.
Teaching Communication: The Solution?
How can trainers and coaches help people navigate these differences and build better communication? The solution lies in raising awareness, honoring diverse preferences, and offering a practical framework to navigate these challenges.
Why Communication Strategies Fall Short
You know most of the core elements: active listening, giving feedback constructively, staying present. These are essential, but there’s a missing piece—understanding what’s behind communication differences.
How can you give your learners a simple, powerful tool to make their communication intentional and adaptive? This is where a communication style framework comes in.
The Power of Intentional Communication
Intentional communication means going beyond standard advice such as “listen, ask questions and paraphrase.” It’s about adapting these strategies to fit the situation. For example, listening to someone who values speed and efficiency is very different from listening to someone who values connection and empathy.
When stress, conflict, or tension arises, a communication style framework provides a way to cut through the noise. It transforms overwhelming data—content, tone, feelings, intent—into clarity and action.
A Game-Changer: Teaching Communication Style Frameworks
Here’s why adding a communication style framework is a great addition to your toolkit:
- It makes people aware that their communication preferences aren’t universal.
- It helps them recognize that others might value entirely different approaches.
- It shows them how to adapt their style to create stronger, more intentional connections.
Why is this so critical? In a difficult conversation, identifying the other person’s communication style can make all the difference. By adjusting your approach to match their preferences, you create a sense of safety and build trust. Once that foundation is set, they’re more likely to hear your message—and the conversation becomes constructive rather than combative.
An added challenge: communication preferences aren’t static—they shift based on context, work demands, and relationships. A good framework simplifies this complexity into something learners can actually use.
Teaching Communication Styles: How to Keep It Simple and Actionable
Think this might help? Here’s how to make it work:
- Start with Awareness:
- Introduce a simple model of communication preferences
(4 styles is ideal—manageable, but impactful). - Help participants identify their primary style.
- Help them see, and believe, that others have very different preferences
- Show how these differences can lead to miscommunication
- Introduce a simple model of communication preferences
- Equip for Success:
- Teach simple cues for recognizing different styles.
- Provide actionable strategies for adapting communication to meet others’ styles.
- Practice Makes Progress:
- Build in exercises to practice identifying and adapting to different styles.
- Emphasize that this takes real effort (intentional communication), but becomes natural with time.
Let’s Start a Conversation
How many of you already use communication style tools in your work? What frameworks or strategies have you found most effective?
Do you have any tips for teaching these concepts successfully?
What questions do you have?
Let’s share ideas and build a better toolkit for helping people connect, collaborate, and thrive. Share your thoughts in the comments or email me—I’d love to hear from you!
