In our latest session of the Friday Morning series, Tubudd had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Johnny Harris, a seasoned mentor, coach, and facilitator, and the Director of Modervale Consulting Ltd. Johnny has built a reputation for helping teams and leaders enhance performance through dynamic, ongoing training environments. His workshop on Effective Communication left a lasting impact, as he guided us through understanding how different communication styles shape workplace interactions and influence team success.

1. Pulse Check: Where We Stand and Where We’re Headed

Johnny began with a “pulse check” activity, giving the team an opportunity to reflect on Tubudd’s current communication practices. Through storytelling, pictures, and visual cards, participants were encouraged to express what they liked about the team’s communication style and what they felt could be improved. The overall consensus was that Tubudd, being a young and dynamic team, excels in flexibility and open dialogue. However, as the business grows, the need for a more professional, results-oriented approach will become essential to scale successfully and maintain operational efficiency.

2. Understanding Communication Styles

A major highlight of the workshop was Johnny’s introduction to four distinct communication styles. Understanding these styles helps not only in self-awareness but also in adjusting our communication to foster stronger team collaboration. Here’s a deeper dive into each style:

Driver (Director)

Drivers are highly goal-oriented and efficient communicators. They like to get straight to the point and focus on results, often making quick decisions without getting bogged down in details. Drivers are decisive and thrive in environments where clear direction and action are prioritized. However, their laser-focus on outcomes can sometimes make them come across as impatient or overly assertive, especially with more deliberative team members.

• What they excel at: Getting things done quickly, leading with clarity, and staying focused on goals.
• What to watch out for: Can seem pushy or insensitive to others’ emotions. They may struggle with collaborators who need more time or discussion.
• How to work with them: Be direct, concise, and focused. Provide clear information and be ready to move fast.

Expressive (Idealist)

Expressives are the visionaries in the room, always full of enthusiasm and energy. They are natural collaborators who thrive in social, interactive environments. They prioritize relationships, thrive on inspiration, and love exploring new ideas. This type of communicator enjoys painting the big picture and values creative freedom, but they may sometimes overlook practical details in favor of enthusiasm.

• What they excel at: Generating excitement, motivating others, and thinking creatively. They are excellent at rallying teams and inspiring vision.
• What to watch out for: They can lose track of the practical steps needed to achieve their goals, leading to missed deadlines or unstructured execution.
• How to work with them: Tap into their creativity, but provide clear expectations and timelines. Encourage them to stay focused on execution without stifling their passion.

Amiable (Supporter)

Amiables are the heart of the team, always prioritizing harmony and ensuring everyone feels valued. They are empathetic, cooperative, and often act as peacemakers in conflict situations. Amiables thrive in environments where relationships and collaboration take precedence, and they excel in one-on-one interactions. However, their desire to avoid conflict can sometimes make them indecisive, or they might prioritize others' needs over their own.

• What they excel at: Building relationships, fostering a collaborative atmosphere, and ensuring that everyone feels heard. They are great at mediating and diffusing tension.
• What to watch out for: Amiables can avoid confrontation and may struggle with making tough decisions, which can slow down progress.
• How to work with them: Be supportive and patient. Avoid overly aggressive or confrontational approaches. Build trust through openness and acknowledgment of their concerns.

Analytical (Process-Oriented)

The Analyticals are the most detail-oriented communicators. They value structure, logic, and data, and they like to take their time to make sure all aspects of a project are thoroughly considered. Analyticals excel at problem-solving, working behind the scenes to make sure everything is in place. However, their emphasis on facts and figures can sometimes make them seem rigid or slow to adapt, especially when quick decisions are needed.

• What they excel at: Delving into the details, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy, and solving complex problems.
• What to watch out for: Their need for precision can lead to analysis paralysis, where they may hesitate to act until all details are perfect.
• How to work with them: Provide data and logic to support your ideas. Be patient, allow them time to process information, and avoid pressuring them into snap decisions.

3. Acting It Out: Demonstrating Good and Bad Communication

To put theory into practice, Johnny split the team into groups based on their communication styles, which had been determined through a pre-workshop survey. Each group was tasked with creating a scenario that demonstrated both effective and ineffective communication, tailored to the different styles. This hands-on activity brought the lessons to life, showcasing the unique challenges and opportunities that each communication type presents. It was not only a fun exercise but also an eye-opener for the team as they realized how subtle differences in approach could significantly impact workplace dynamics.

Conclusion

With a better understanding of how different communication styles influence interactions, Tubudd is poised to improve its internal communications. Recognizing and adapting to the diverse communication preferences within the team will strengthen collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and drive better results. Thanks to Johnny Harris’s engaging and informative session, the Tubudd team now has a valuable toolkit to harness the strengths of each communication style, paving the way for a more cohesive, efficient, and dynamic workplace.

We look forward to putting these insights into practice as Tubudd continues to grow and evolve. Stay tuned for more inspiring and informative sessions in our Friday Morning series!