INTERACTION STYLES

Making Work Relationships Work: Understanding Ourselves and Others

Highly interactive, activity focused, and conversational  workshop focuses on how we tend to communicate when we are trying to influence others.  Be prepared to learn about and practice communication styles and work approaches in real time.  

Overview: The most successful teams consist of people with diverse communication styles who both trust one another and work well together. By understanding these Interaction (or communication) Styles, teams can take advantage of their varying working styles, perspectives, and strengths to achieve their goals and objectives.

Interaction Styles is based on observable behavior patterns developed by Dr. Linda Berens. It is a stand-alone model that maps to Personality Type and Temperament. It is a system of self discovery aimed at determining one’s core versus contextually developed communication styles and the inherent gifts within each.

The Interaction Style lens provides insights into the ways we are naturally inclined to express ourselves. Learners will identify their core and developed styles and identify the gifts and challenges inherent in both. Knowing our own styles and those of our teams allows us to flex or adapt our interactions based on the needs of the situation.

What are the Key Benefits of Understanding Interaction/Communication Styles?

• Increased individual self-confidence and self-esteem in knowing your communication strengths  
• Improved communication skills and awareness around interpersonal relationships
• Gain insight to team dynamics by mapping the team composition
• Increased team trust, collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Identify individual and team blind spots and blockers
• Improved decision making by embracing a diversity of perspectives

Through this behavioral learning lens, you will understand and value multiple perspectives, understand how to effectively manage conflict when it occurs, and adapt your communication style to be better heard and understood.

In this session you will: 

• Learn to identify and understand your own, as well as other people’s Interaction Styles
• Discover how to best communicate and influence others, based on their Interaction Style
• Understand Informing vs Directing language and when to use each
• Use Interaction Styles to stimulate meaningful and effective dialogue
• Hone your new skills as you practice using new communication techniques
• Discuss and adopt “best practices” for communicating in different contexts
• Work on activities in pairs, triads, and small groups

SAMPLE In Person Agenda:

(virtual sessions are 90 min - 2 hours)

8:30-8:45 Welcome, Introductions, Overview, and Objectives

8:45-9:20 Self Select: Work approaches (Flip Chart group activity)

9:20-9:40 The Four Interaction Styles teach-piece and discussion

9:40-9:55 Directing vs Informing (Communication Distinctions activity + debrief)

9:55-10:00 Break

10:00-10:15 Initiating vs. Responding (Communication Distinctions activity + debrief)

10:15-10:40 Communication Process in action (describe the photo activity activity + debrief

10:40-10:55 Perspective Shifting activity + debrief

10:55- 11:10 Interaction Styles & Stress (activity + debrief)

11:10-11:25 Strengths/ Challenges/ Misperceptions Activity + debrief (In type Alike groups)

11:25-11:50 Styles in Action: Capstone T-Shirt Activity

11:50-12:00 Takeaways, Summary, and Next Steps