4 Communication Styles Christians Need to Master

4 Communication Styles Christians Need to Master?

Which is your communication and work style:  action, procedure, people, or ideas.  

 This article really is for supervisors, especially Christian supervisors.  Supervisors need to know their communication style and of those they supervise.   Can’t get the task completed unless we see how it can be accomplished and each will accomplish it in his/her own way.   Personally, procedural people annoy me the most, yet I need to recognize that I too need to develop a procedural style and communicate to staff in the way they understand.  What do we mean by all this?

There are 4 culturally based communication styles found in the work place.  Certain jobs lend themselves to specific styles, but the supervisor must learn to adjust to all styles required.  Which of the following do you identify with and how would you communicate with someone of a different style from yours?

 1.  The Action Oriented:  The action person is results oriented.  Give them the goal and they will figure it out and go at it.  They like to achieve, move ahead, make quick decisions.  They are pragmatic, impatient, direct and to the point.  Very energetic, they have as the saying goes, “places to go, things to do and little time to do it in.”

James 2: 18   “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Luke 11: 9  “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
 

2.  The Process Oriented: You want it done?  Give me the facts, the procedures, the steps to do it and we’ll get it done.  We need an organized plan and the details to match.  A step by step system is the anchor and we have the patience to plod ahead.  It’ll be done and done correctly.  

1 Corinthians 14: 40  “But all things should be done decently and in order.”
Deuteronomy 12: 32  “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”

3. The People Oriented: Someone people oriented is more motivated when working with others.  Through teamwork and the team spirit in a cooperative rather than individualistic manner, the task will be completed.  More emotional and spontaneous, such individuals are more aware of their beliefs and values than the unemotional process oriented.  And more sensitive than the action oriented.

1 Peter 1: 22  “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”
Matthew 18:20  “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

4. The Idea Oriented:  Some people love to entertain concepts and think theoretically.  It  inspires  innovation and creativity.  These grand designs motivate the idea oriented and this sometimes can lead to quite provocative results.  Well these imaginations didn’t work; so what, no problem, let’s try another way.  Unrealistic at times, idea people are often charismatic, and difficult to understand.   Can be quite intellectual.  Is that you?  

2 Timothy 3: 16  “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Matthew 6: 33  “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Point is, supervisors and Christians in general need to realize where people are coming from, so to speak.  How do we communicate with a person who falls into a different category than our own?   Each is effective in getting the job done, so we need to adjust, reach their level and improve on our own on styles.  Be flexible.  Be versatile.   

1 Corinthians 10: 33  “Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

 It’ll all work out.

Actually you can assess your own communication style by searching out on the internet Casse, Pierre.  “Training for the Cross Cultural Mind.” Then contemplate on how to communicate with a person dominant in a different style from yours.