When communicating with others, one of the key ways to increase effectiveness is to learn how to adapt your own style to meet the needs of the other individual. I spend a lot of time coaching people on adaptability. One of the most consistent themes in 360 feedback surveys is that managers need to do a better job adapting their style to meet the needs of other people (in particular their direct reports and peers). This is a critical leadership skill. To be influential, you need to master it. (We can’t expect them to meet our needs). Successful leaders learn this early on.
The steps are simple …the effort can be hard. First you determine the need to adapt (based on past experience or on a ‘just-in-time’ basis determined as you are interacting with someone). Second, you adapt your style (changing your behavior to make it easier for the other person you are working with). For example, increasing or decreasing the speed/pace at which you communicate, increasing/decreasing the amount of emotion you demonstrate or share. Finally, you make adjustments based on the level of success you achieve.
As I coach people on adaptability, I always suggest that “style and adaptability” are wonderful communication tools; but, they are not the nirvana of communication. They won’t take care of all of our communication or interpersonal woes. They also won’t take care of “other” issues I might be experiencing with an individual (e.g., we just don’t like each other, this person lies, etc.).
What success stories have you enjoyed when adapting your style to meet the needs of others? What challenges have you faced?
Tags: 360 Feedback, adaptability, Beyond the Jargon, Calibra, career, change, communication, communication style, Diane Hamilton, Executive Coaching, expectations, feedback, Leadership Development, successful leaders, themes, training
