four types of human behaviour

introduction

communication happens on listeners terms
understand listener to adapt communication patterns
normal behaviour is observable, understandable, predictable, changeable

dimensions

  • task-oriented vs relationship-oriented
  • passive (reserved) vs active (implementing)

collaboration

  • same dimension simplifies communication
  • but for optimal results, need all aspects

dominant (red)

active task-oriented
quick, happy to take command, make things happen
but control freaks, trample on people's toes
executives

properties

  • quick reaction
  • maximum effort to control
  • minimal interest for caution in relationships
  • current time frame
  • direct action
  • tendency to avoid involvement

adjectives

  • aggressive, controlling
  • strong-willed, pushing, decisive, opinionated
  • goal-oriented, performance-oriented, results-oriented
  • convincing, pioneer, innovator, problem-solver, initiator, ambitious
  • straightforward, impatient

negative

  • rash & dominant, fiery temper
  • arrogant, egoistical
  • aggressive & controlling
  • blunt & directness hurts other's feelings
  • wants control over others
  • details ignored
  • overconfident
  • want to win discussion

positive

  • bold & ambitious
  • honest & blunt about own opinions
  • focus on essential tasks & getting them done
  • opinion on everything
  • even difficult tasks taken on gladly
  • does not care about prestige as does not care what others think
  • position of power as means to end (take decisions)
  • convincing due to strong believe in own (potentially wrong) opinions

body language

  • firm, controlling, distancing, aggressive
  • strong, convincing voice

adapt

  • be quick & blunt
  • stick to business & the topic at hand
  • hold against pressure, never allow disrespect
  • make hard work visible

change behaviours

  • force to care about details, wait for others, avoid excessive risks
  • by explaining how time / benefit was lost in the past
  • 0-tolerance against asocial behaviour, force to small talk

stress factors

  • no authority, challenges, results, all is routine & inefficient
  • release stress with some form of competition / exercise

inspiring (yellow)

active relation-oriented
amusing, creative, elevate mood
but prevent others from entering conversation, untrue stories
sales people

properties

  • rapid reaction
  • maximum effort to involve
  • minimal interest in routine
  • future time frame
  • impulsive action
  • tendency to reject isolation

adjectives

  • encouraging, enthusiastic, persuasive, inspiring, optimistic
  • creative, expressive, imaginative
  • opinionated
  • needs attention, sensitive, self-centred, talkative
  • communicative, social, charming
  • spontaneous, adaptable, flexible

negative

  • (overly) optimistic & self-confident
  • bad listers, talks too much
  • very hard to receive feedback (gets defensive, forgets it fast again)
  • chaotic, hardly keeps track of things
  • neglects details, rarely finishes projects
  • arrive late and never acknowledge it (or say sorry)
  • unable to concentrate or focus on a project

positive

  • (overly) optimistic, do whatever is fun
  • entertaining
  • creating relationships
  • creative in finding new solutions
  • persuasive

body language

  • relaxed, friendly, expressive gestures, come close
  • body contact to reinforce point
  • empathy clearly shown
  • fast speaking

adapt

  • keep yellow happy for productivity
  • start with big questions to avoid boring details
  • sell stuff with "state-of-the-art" as novelty is loved
  • be approachable to gain trust & productivity

change behaviours

  • force to agree to specific plan & write it down
  • explain consequences clearly of being late & have backup plan
  • help to structure & organize stuff
  • time very outgoing behaviours
  • motivate by explaining how much popularity can be gained from it
  • give negative feedback in small batches, determined & well prepared

stress factors

  • pretend invisibility, be negative / sceptival
  • push for structure, considering details
  • separate from rest of group, publicly humiliate
  • relieve stress by organizing party / fun activity

stable (green)

passive relation-oriented
easy-going, pleasant, genuinely care for others
but too unclear, indecisive
public sector

properties

  • calm reaction
  • maximum effort for connection
  • minimal interest in change
  • current time frame
  • supportive action
  • tendency to reject conflict

adjectives

  • stable, patient, relaxed, self-controlled, composed, conceals feelings
  • loyal, reliable
  • modest, discreet, producer, persistent
  • understanding, supportive, good listener, helpful, thoughtful

negative

  • never changes views
  • does not really care about anything
  • prefers to avoid work
  • avoids responsibility, prefers clumsy statements
  • unable to adapt to changes
  • does not speak about problems to avoid work / conflict

positive

  • balanced, easy to deal with, tolerant
  • authentic relationship focused
  • keep calm and carry on
  • does not want to be inconvenient
  • listens well

body language

  • relaxed
  • small-scale gestures
  • slow, quiet voice

adapt

  • acknowledge fears (dont deny), keep nudging
  • encourage brave behaviours
  • plan yourself, explain it detailed to green asking for feedback

change behaviours

  • feedback with concrete things to improve
  • formulate change as the only solution
  • take enough time for each single change

stress factors

  • strip security & private space
  • push into spotlight
  • make clear an agreement is not possible
  • release stress by giving time to do nothing

analytical (blue)

passive task-oriented
calm, thing before they speak
but suspicious, pessimistic

properties

  • slow reaction
  • maximum effort to organize
  • minimal interest in relationships
  • historical time frame
  • cautious action
  • tendency to avoid involvement

adjectives

  • systematic, methodical, follows rules, structured, analytical, logical
  • objective, seeks facts, questioning, scrutinizes, correct, quality oriented
  • distant, perfectionist, conventional, needs time, reflecting

negative

  • conservative, tedious
  • lacking independence
  • not able to settle for "good enough"
  • appear cold, hard to get to know
  • no small talk
  • "better safe than sorry" taking to extremes
  • standards of proof are (unreasonably) high

positive

  • analysis in the background about the why
  • sees errors & risk
  • pedantic
  • modesty
  • miss the big picture
  • decisions only taken after all facts none
  • risk averse, quality first-class citizen
  • can repeat same tasks multitude without getting crazy
  • follow strict rules & very organized
  • silence is golden (no need to be heard)

body language

  • prefer others at a distance
  • speak without guestures
  • little variation in voice & expression

adapt

  • be prepared to give exact answers to everything
  • do one task at a time
  • stick to the facts
  • avoid negative formulations
  • praise for exact, high quality work

change behaviours

  • explain criticality not always welcome / futile
  • point to big pictures, give clear time constraints
  • force taking a decision by pointing out negatives from not doing so

stress factors

  • deny expert knowledge, force to take high risks
  • have spontaneous decisions, unannouced events
  • surround with overly emotional people
  • relieve stress by giving space

body language

posture

  • relaxed, natural for self-confidence
  • shrunken for resignation

gaze

  • shifty eyes to want to be somewhere else
  • closed eyes to think
  • horizon look to remember
  • shift to the side could be lying

hands

  • touching neck / excessive movement as insecurity (lying?)
  • lift up to face when in awful/unpleasant situation

head

  • speaking induces shaking / nodding
  • discussions might lead to lean to the side
  • raise eyebrows for amazement

hand shake

  • limb/feeble for submissive behaviour
  • firm for determination
  • too hard for fake determination

feedback

give very concrete examples & stick to the facts
let person repeat what was being sad
explaining only behaviour (not person) disliked

blue

  • specific, detailed examples in writing

red

  • avoid decorative wrappings
  • stay calm and unimpressed by pushback

green

  • gentle with concrete examples

yellow

  • follow clearly set agenda
  • massage ego & put words into mouth

written communication

mirror style (concise? friendly?)

other models

greeks (hippocrates)

  • humoral pathology
  • melancholic as blue, choleric as red
  • phlegmatic (sluggish) as green, sanguine (blood) as yellow

aztecs

  • fire (leaders, hotheats)
  • air (determined but easygoing)
  • earth (collective, stability)
  • water (quiet, observing)

DISC

  • dominance (approach to problems & challenges)
  • inspiration (cooperation & influence over people)
  • stability (response to change)
  • compliance (response to rules & regulations)