Communication Success with Four Personalities

Resource Guide Helps Understanding of Self and Others

“Know yourself, know others;
one hundred battles, one hundred victories.”

- Ancient Chinese saying

What is human behavior? In what ways are we similar and different? How can we successfully communicate with one-another?

My recently written reference guide “Communication Success with Four Personality Types” is an interpretation of some of the most popular personality tests used by many organizations in hiring, professional development, and performance evaluation. The purpose of the reference guide is to present an overview of four major personality types, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide information on how to communicate more effectively with each trait.

The four personality types are: Relater-Supporter, Initiator-Cheerleader, Analyzer-Investigator, and Driver-Leader. Most of us have a dominant personality type, with one or two secondary types. These traits can change and evolve over time.

It’s generally not too difficult to identity the primary personality type of an individual, based on her or his persona, communication style, and to some extent profession.

Here are some of the most dominant traits of each type:

Relater-Supporters tend to be “nice”, supportive, nurturing, and friendly.

Initiator-Cheerleaders tend to be energetic, motivating, persuasive, and fun.

Analyzer-Investigators tend to be detail oriented, task driven, analytical, and matter of fact.

Driver-Leaders tend to be powerful, achievement conscious, control oriented, and productive.

While the dominant personality type of most individuals tends to be fairly easy to observe, the secondary personality type (or types) tends to take some knowing of a person to deduce. Most people have one dominant, one or two secondary, and one weakest type. The resource guide describes each personality in detail, and recommends strategies to communicate successfully with each type as family, friends, co-workers, and customers.

To download a free excerpt of “Communication Success with Four Personality Types”, visit my website at www.nipreston.com/publications. I will also be giving a talk on this topic sponsored by the Asian Business Council on May 20, 2009 from 6-7:30pm in San Leandro. For more details, visit www.nipreston.com/workshops.

To check out previous Leadership Success Series on AsianWeek.com, click here.

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Preston Ni is a professor of communication studies, Fortune 500 trainer, executive coach, and organizational change consultant. His column appears the first Monday of every month. Write to Preston at commsuccess@nipreston.com, and access free resources at www.nipreston.com. © 2009 by Preston C. Ni. All rights reserved.