Communication and Personality in Organisational Psychology

For several years, psychologists have been trying to understand personality and communication styles within the workplace. Psychologists have concluded that the style of communication of different people depends on two factors- openness and directness. Personality styles are how people act or react when they are placed in any type of circumstances. Researchers have found that people will tend to change and even adapt depending on the situation and their purpose. Our natural tendency in communicating is to use our own style because it is what comes naturally and automatically to us. However, if we want to be better communicators, we need to adapt our style to that of the other person. In the 1940’s research revealed there are four major styles of communication and personality. Some people combine two of these styles, but we all have a natural style of communication and personality that we prefer to use.

We have learned that there are several different types of personalities. First, there is aggressive personality, which is a person that is self-centered, only thinks of their self, and tries to control others. When a person is, aggressive they tend to boost their self whereas derogates others and because of this, people around them will feel hurt and or humiliated. Second, is passive personality this type of person is just the opposite of an aggressive person. A person who is passive will express their self and contribute equally and give credit where credit is due as well as share in making any type of decisions. This type of person is responsible and tries to avoid confrontations. Third, we have passive-aggressive which has a few of each of the traits of passive and aggressive personality. This type of person seems to be honest but not always trustworthy. They will try to turn a situation in there own favor in order to win or come out ahead. Then the fourth and final personality type would be assertive. This type of personality seems to be very sensitive and care about others feelings. They and honest and direct in approach, they are very respectful to others, show affection, are honest and direct in their approach.

We all know the importance of effective communication in the workplace as well as in our personal life. When we have lack of communication, it results in many misunderstandings and can lead to much confusion. Communication comes in four styles, first would be a controller, which would be considered a task-oriented, and one whom focus on the result, as well as always look at the big picture so to speak. A person that is considered a controller, does not beat about the bush, are direct to the point and prove how your ideas are goal-orients. Second style would be a collaborator this style give importance in interpersonal relationships, they always take the consent of others before moving forward. They are mainly good-natured but this hinders their work process. When they are communicating with collaborators, they make them feel as if they are interested in what they are doing so that they will be comfortable and will share their personal experiences with them. Third style would be an analyzer; their focus is mainly on details of a task. This type of style would rather work alone than with others. An analyzer is a thinker; they take things slowly and have to explain each thing in detail. They will try to convince everyone by using their logical supports and arguments. The fourth and final style is a socialize, someone who loves to meet new people, they believe in high standards and hold a good source of motivation for others. This style of person loves indulging in healthy discussions and brainstorming, they focus on new trends and concepts when communicating with the socializes.

Every person has a certain style of communication and personality, once you really stop and think about that you are able to determine a style you can adapt to. Interpersonal communication is one of the most challenging and important aspects of a successful career. It is essential for leaders and managers to understand the basics of communications, their own communication styles, the critical role of emotional intelligence, and the impact of all of this on their co-workers and their organization.

Persuasive Communication is a form of social influence, often confused with manipulation, which is the act of guiding another towards something that is not in their best interest by subverting their thought processes. Persuasion is meant to benefit all parties in the end. We have learned that you can change your attitudes through persuasion. If you are a person in a high position like a leader, your ability to communicate persuasively and effectively needs to be strong willed as it plays a major role in convincing others that what you are saying is true. Persuasive Communication requires us to get a group or audience to listen to what you have to say. People are not impressed with those that will beat around the bush they want someone who is going to be straight forward and to the point. By becoming a more effective listener, we need to concentrate more on what that person is trying to say, instead of listening to outside distractions.  Another good point to learn is to always allow the person to finish what they are saying without interrupting. Always think before you speak so you do not sound ignorant.  

When we use communicate in an effective way it helps us to create a positive perception of how others see us. People who speak clearly and properly are accepted easier than people who are not able to communicate clearly. When people speak carefully formal and informal, they create positive impressions. Communication and personality play a very critical role in our success in life. Unfortunately communication skills and personality, is one of the most challenging and important aspects of a successful career. Speaking without listening means poor communication.

It is very important for people understand the basics of communications, by this I mean their own communication styles, and their own critical role of emotional intelligence, and the impact of all of this on their life’s and everyone they come in contact with. When you have good communication, skills you are ensured to pose many good things in your life. One of the biggest misconceptions about being a good communicator is that you should also be a good talker. In fact, you need to be a strong listener instead of being a talker; you might actually be surprised to what you could learn just by listening.

By developing and understanding of personality styles and learning styles theories, this can become very helpful when trying to improve your knowledge. Understanding personality is also the key to unlocking human qualities. Personality types are very helpful for appreciating that all people are different and that everyone has different values, strengths and qualities. As well as that, everyone needs to be treated with as much care and respect as they are entitled to. There are several different personality and motivational theories, and that everyone has different perspective to offer. Good communication skills require a high level of self-awareness, by understanding personal style of communicating this will go a long way toward helping you to create good lasting impressions on others.

When you have good communication skills, you are able to influence others as well as pose effective leadership skills. Success dependent on good communication and personality styles that helps to build commitment in others while driving employees toward higher performance.  When you have a strong communication style, you will have the opportunity to teach and learn tools as well as strategies for becoming a more impactful communicator.

When you understand how people react to different situation, you learn to respond appropriately, this will help your ability to communicate more effectively, which promotes success in business, in marriage, in friendship, and in life. Communication can help solve problems in professional life and improve relationships in personal life. Communication is important in your career and throughout work life.

Our ability to think has helped us to progress and success in the world. We were all born with a strong ability for communication, while we are talking to others; seldom do we stop and ask ourselves what is it that I am trying to communicate? We are taught that those who can talk faster are usually sharper than one who talk slower but this is not true. It is not the one who talks the fastest it is the one who listens turns out to be the best communicator as they are the one who actually has been taking the time to pay attention to what is being said, and how it is being expressed.

However, while all human beings are gifted with the ability to use words, not everyone is able to communicate effectively. For instance, a lot of communication, not only involves body language but also the tone of voice adopted by a communicator. Your voice can be a very powerful took that can have a great impact. When you have good listening skills this shows others that you also have good communication skills, this makes others feel validated and heard which the greater tool you could have is. In any relationships, when you pose the lack of communication this has been known to cause many problems. However, when a relationship is healthily then the individuals are able to respect each other’s feelings and learn not to accept more out of each other.

We are taught that communication is the transfer of understandable information from a person to another. Communications has two forms of perspectives, interpersonal communication, and organization communication. Interpersonal communication is usually defined by communication scholars in several different ways. Interpersonal communication includes sending and receiving messages between two or more individuals. Organizational communication is a subfield of the larger discipline of communication studies. Organizational communication, as a field, is the consideration, analysis, and criticism of the role of communication Communication is conducted in two forms, none verbal communication and verbal communication.

Effective communication is complicated the message may be unclear due to mixed messages, or behaviors. Practicing effective communication developing and refining communication skills can help everyone in all parts of their life. Communication and collaboration seem to go hand in hand, some people can have different types of style they could include dominant, dramatic, contentious, animated, impression leaving, relaxed, open, or friendly. When we think about communication, we realize that the most common type of communication is speech. Since the beginning of time, people have had the need to communicate. Good communications in our life is a necessity, sometimes we do not even notice, when we are speaking in a hurtful loud tone. Our body language seems to play a huge part in our communication styles.