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Style
Flex -
How to relate to other people at work
Style
flex is a way of tailoring your behavior so that it fits better
with a coworker's style. Style flex is all about adapting
in a way that makes it easy for someone to work with you -
without giving up you objectives and opinions. This isn't
always easy, but it's worth the effort. So, how do you adapt
your style to mesh with those of coworkers? There are four
basic steps. First, identify the other person's style. Second,
make a plan. For instance, if you have to flex your style
to fit each aspect of an Analytical's style, you'll have to
be on time (Analyticals are time-conscious), get right to
business (they don't like small talk), and be prepared (they
like information and know what they're talking about). Third,
implement your plan. Fourth, evaluate what happened so you
can identify areas for improvement - learning to flex your
style is a process.
What's
your style?
Here's a systematic way to figure out your style. For each
statement, simply circle the letter that better describes
how you think others see you. (Remember: Your style is how
others see you, not how you see yourself.) Each statement
has the comparative word "more" or "less"
that, for this evaluation, means more or less than half the
population.
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1.
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a. |
More
likely to lean back when making a point |
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b. |
More
likely to stand straight or lean forward when making a
point |
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2.
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c. |
Use
hands less when you talk |
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d. |
Use
hands more when you talk |
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3.
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a. |
Show
less energy |
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b. |
Show
more energy |
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4.
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c. |
Control
body movement more |
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d. |
Control
body movement less |
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5.
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a. |
Make
less forceful gestures |
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b. |
Make
more forceful gestures |
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6.
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c. |
Show
less facial expression |
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d.
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Show
more facial expression |
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7.
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a. |
Speak
more softly |
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b.
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Speak
less softly |
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8.
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c. |
Seem
to be more serious |
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d. |
Seem
to be less serious |
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9.
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a. |
More
likely to ask questions |
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b. |
More
likely to make statements |
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10.
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c. |
Less
inflection in voice |
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d. |
More
inflection in voice |
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11.
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a. |
Less
likely to push for action |
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b. |
More
likely to push for action |
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12.
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c. |
Less
likely to show feelings |
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d. |
More
likely to show feelings |
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13.
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a. |
More
hesitant when making a point |
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b. |
Less
hesitant when making a point |
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14.
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c. |
In
conversation, put more emphasis on tasks |
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d. |
In
conversation, put more emphasis on people |
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15.
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a.
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Fix
problem situations more slowly |
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b. |
Fix
problem situations more quickly |
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16.
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c. |
More
likely to depend on facts and logic |
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d.
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More
likely to depend on feelings and points of view |
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17.
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a. |
Slower-paced |
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b.
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Faster-paced |
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18.
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c. |
Less
likely to use small-talk or use anecdotes |
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d. |
More
likely to use small-talk or use anecdotes |
What's
the score?
If you answered "a" most of the time, then your
dominant style is Analytical.
If you answered "b" most of the time, then your
dominant style is Driver.
If you answered "c" most of the time, then your
dominant style is Amiable.
If you answered "d" most of the time, then your
dominant style is Expressive.
After you've evaluated yourself, have someone fill this out
for you. Compare the results. And remember: No style is bad;
it's simply unlike the others.
If
you're interested in reading more about work styles, the information
in this article comes from the book "People Styles at
Work, Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships
Better" by Robert Bolton and Dorothy Grover Bolton, AMACOM
books, 1996
Career
Focus Table of Contents - Fall 2003
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