Communicating For Results
If you communicate in a direct, bottom-line manner; this lens is for you. You probably want to get immediate results from your interactions. You probably get frustrated when other people do not produce results quickly.
This lens contains communication tips that assist you in your interactions with others. Learn to create a climate for them to feel comfortable moving faster.
Communicating For Fun
Communicating For Harmony
High Value Communication
What You'll Find In This Lens
- Are you Fast-paced and Task-oriented?
- Making the Most of This Lens
- Recognizing Dominant People
- Tips For Communicating With Dominant People
- Recognizing Inspiring People
- Tips For Communication With Inspiring People
- Recognizing Supportive People
- Tips for Communicating With Supportive People
- Recognizing Cautious People
- Tips for Communicating With Cautious People
- The Most Important Thing You Need to Know
- Other Relevant Lenses
- More Relevant Lenses
- Resolving Conflict in Teams Blog
- Positive Principles Newsletter
- Links to Other Sites With Some FREE Resources
- Recommended Reading
- Your thoughts? Feedback? Comments?
Are you Fast-paced and Task-oriented?
If you said yes, then this lens is for you. It has direct answers you can use to get better results.
Making the Most of This Lens
You will get the most from this lens if you focus on the needs of different people rather than on their behaviors.
When you meet other people's needs, they will usually respond well to you. So, if you meet their needs, they will be more likely to cooperate with you so that you can get better results.
Remember that everyone (including you) is a blend of the four primary behavioral styles. For simplicity, this lens focuses on only the highest trait in each person's blend.
Beware of making absolute statements. In conversation, I say that people tend to_____, generally_____, or often do_____. In the interest of simplicity, I left most of those qualifying statements out of this lens.
So, read through this lens for an overview and then bookmark it for later reference.
I wish you much success as you apply this information. I've included a link list with links to some of my other related lenses.
Check the lenses that represent your secondary styles as well for even more insights to improve your result. (For a more complete picture of your behavioral style, complete a DISC personality test.)
Just for reference purposes, I have included the DISC Model overview here.

For more detail see these lenses:
The DISC Model
Connecting With People
Recognizing Dominant People
They are Outgoing and Task-Oriented
These people are much like you. They are outgoing and task-oriented.Look for them to speak at a fast-pace and directly. Expect them to move fast and to make decisions quickly. They probably will not "beat-around-the-bush." You will probably connect with them pretty easily.
Like you, they need:
- Choices
- Challenge
- Control
Tips For Communicating With Dominant People
They want to know WHAT. They focus on RESULTS.
- Let them have some control. They are a lot like you. They need choices and control just like you do.
- Speak directly and to the point. (You probably won't struggle with this one.)
- You will probalby hit it off pretty well with them. You both speak the same "language."
Recognizing Inspiring People
They are Outgoing and People-Oriented
These people may be similar to you because they are outgoing (fast-paced). Depending on your secondary traits, they may also be quite different from you because they are people-oriented.Look for them to speak at a fast-pace and light-heartedly. Expect them to move fast and to make decisions quickly. They might not speak directly, and they may interact on a close, personal level by sharing stories or asking about your family. You may connect with them pretty easily, especially if you have some of these traits.
They need:
- Recognition
- Approval
- Popularity
Tips For Communication With Inspiring People
They want to know WHO. They want you to LIKE THEM
- Listen to their stories without interrupting them.
- Be extra "friendly." Remember to smile. They want to know that you like them.
- Beware of being too "businesslike." They often prefer a little less structured and focused discussion style.
Recognizing Supportive People
They are Reserved and People-Oriented
These people are probably the most difficult for you to understand. They are likely the most unlike you. They are reserved (slower paced) and people-oriented. They dislike direct confrontations and making quick decisions. If you master connecting with them, you will significantly improve your results as a leader and communicator.Look for them to speak rather slowly and softly. Expect them to use gentle gestures and to make decisions slowly. Be patient. Pushing them will not help.
They probably will not speak directly and they may disengage from you if they perceive that you are "coming on too strong."
They tend to value family and relationship above everything else. They may evaluate you based on how you treat others.
They need:
- Security
- Assurance
- Appreciation
Tips for Communicating With Supportive People
They want to know HOW. They focus on PACE and PEACE.
- Slow down. Give them time to process and think about what you have said.
- Be friendly. Smile. Use softer voice tones and less "forward" body language. Be careful not to intimidate them. If they feel intimidated, they might agree with you without intending to follow-through on their agreement. This is not an honesty issue. It is a comfort, or security, issue. They might agree just to get you to leave them alone.
- Stress the "tried-and-true" rather than the "new."
Recognizing Cautious People
They are Reserved and Task-Oriented
These people may be similar to you because they are task-oriented. Depending on your secondary traits, they may also be quite different from you because they are reserved (slower-paced).Look for them to speak in a slower, monotone style. Expect them to move cautiously and to make decisions slowly. They may want more information and validating sources (websites, references, etc.) before making a decision. They tend to speak factually and in measured tones. They generally do not like for people to get too close to them.
They need:
- Quality Answers
- Value
- Excellence
Tips for Communicating With Cautious People
They want to know WHY. They focus on DATA and FACTS.
- Answer all of their questions. They are not asking to annoy you. They are asking because they need information before deciding.
- Slow down. Give them time to think before you push for them to speak. If you interrupt them, they will probably withdraw from the conversation without engaging you.
- Be ready to offer charts, graphs, validation studies, etc. They will want to see hard data to support your opinions.
The Most Important Thing You Need to Know
Only 10% of the population is like you. Watch your body language and voice tone. Beware of sounding angry. You will get better results when you slow down and smile.
Other Relevant Lenses
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Connecting With People Better
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Connecting with people can often be a challenge. This challenge increases when we attempt to connect with people who are significantly different from us. When you learn a few key communication tips and insights, you can connect with people much more...
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How to Build Rapport With Other People
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Rapport is the deepest level of relationship, and different people move from initial connection to rapport in different ways. Since different people reach rapport by different routes, your success at building rapport with someone can be somewhat hit-...
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Personality Profile Tests For All Ages
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Personality Assessments provide objective and descriptive rather than subjective and judgmental ways to understand our behaviors and behaviors of other people. Taking an online personality assessment gives you the opportunity to learn more about your...
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4 Sure Fire Steps to Connecting With People
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Connecting with other people is the first step in building a relationship with them. Whether you meet people at a business networking meeting, the grocery store, or in your office; you have to connect with them to build a working relationship with th...
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Introduction to the DISC Human Behavior Model
-
Your leadership style, communication style, and parenting style are heavily influenced by your personality style. The same is true for other people. How you communicate with people, build relationships, raise your kids, network at business meetings,...
More Relevant Lenses
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The Coach - A Leadership Book Written As A Story
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I am passionate about leadership and leadership development. I believe that the health of businesses, non-profits, classrooms, sports teams, and families all hinge on the quality of their leadership. Using a story based approach, I have described key...
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How to Have More Fun When You Interact With Others
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If you communicate in a friendly, light-hearted way; this lens is for you. If this description fits you, you probably want to have fun when you interact with other people. You probably feel frustrated when other people do not engage with you. In thi...
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High Value Communication Skills
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If you communicate in a factual, unemotional manner; this lens is for you. You probably like for people to communicate with you in a logical and straight-forward fashion. You may get frustrated when they do not deliver high value communication with y...
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Five Ways to Become a Great Listener
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Great leaders. Great parents. Great supervisors. Great team members. They are all great listeners. Lots of people are great at hearing. Fewer people are great listeners. Listening is a skill, and skills can be learned. Learn great listening skills b...
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Communicating To Create Peace and Harmony
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If you communicate in a warm, friendly, and patient way; this lens is for you. If this describes you, you probably like to interact with people in a way that creates peace. You probably do not like intense or fast-paced conversations. This lens cont...
Positive Principles Newsletter
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLinks to Other Sites With Some FREE Resources
- Principle Driven Consulting
- My website.
- FREE DISC Profile
- FREE Personality Assessment to get an estimate of your personality style.
- JJ Communications
- My friend and colleague in Canada. JJ is a body language and interview specialist.
Recommended Reading
by recoveringengineer

Hi, my name is Guy Harris. I am a trainer, speaker, author, and consultant. I am a certified human behavior specialist and a workplace conflict re... (more)






