These are 4 styles of communication that you need to know

...say they’re uncomfortable communicating with employees. 

And that number is significantly higher when the roles are reversed.

An analytical communicator loves hard data, numbers, and specific language. 

They're usually wary of people who deal in vague language and strictly blue-sky ideas and get drained quickly when conversations move from logical to emotional.

Dos:

• Provide as much detail upfront as possible
• Set clear expectations
• Give them space to work independently

Don'ts:

• Turning the conversation emotional;
• Framing feedback on their work as criticism.

Intuitive communicators thrive on big-picture ideas and broad overviews that allow them to skip directly to what’s most important.

Linear order, step-by-step instructions, and deep dives into the details aren’t important. 

Dos:

• Stick to the main topic and keep it high-level;
• Be prepared to answer follow-up questions;
• Keep details to a minimum.

Don'ts:

• Too many details;
• Taking their approach personally;
• Making too big promises (they’ll latch onto the big picture and ignore the details of how hard it might be to pull off).

Functional communicators love the process: step-by-step guides, details, timelines, and thought-through plans. 

When talking to someone else, they want to go through each detail from start to finish to make sure nothing gets missed or glossed over.

Dos:

• Practice “active listening” by repeating what they’ve said and asking follow-up questions
• Expect them to ask for details, even if you’re just brainstorming

Don'ts:

• Rushing them to get to the end or make a decision
• Assume they support an idea 100% (their criticism or feedback will often be on the steps, not the overall strategy).

Personal communicators value connection, relationships, and emotional language above all. 

They're good listeners and often can help smooth over issues that more hard-lined communication styles cause.

When they dig into something, they care as much (or more) about the person saying it as what they’re saying.

Dos:

• Keep conversations light and casual
• Not get offended if they ask how something made you “feel” or make a strictly work conversation personal.

Don'ts:

• Talking down to them or being overly pessimistic;
• Try to contain the conversation to just stats and facts
• Pressure them to do a deep dive into the details with you.