Communication Style is Key!
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to help out a client. While that’s nothing new, the important lesson here is how we were able to communicate. Knowing your client’s communication style is key to a winning relationship.
This client loves to use Skype to communicate. Since I also like Skype, she’s able to connect with me in a much simpler way. Using Skype, we were able to immediately get information, conference with a third party who was involved and solve the problem to everyone’s satisfaction.
Some clients use email as their preferred communication method. Others are phone people. I have a former client who prefers the telephone. It was difficult for me, as I’m not always able to answer the phone. Playing phone tag is not the most efficient way to communicate!
The lesson here is to learn your own communication style, then find clients who also communicate that same way. By matching your communication styles, you are able to work together as a team, handling tasks and projects in the most efficient way possible.
What’s your communication style? Leave a comment below to join in the conversation!
Hi Rebekah-
Well, as a communication consultant, I completely agree with what you’re talking about here.
When you are clear on your own strengths, finding clients who are willing to work like you makes life SO much easier. One of the things I ask any potential VA is about her communication style. It’s very important to me that I have someone who uses at least one of my preferred methods of reaching out.
And you’re right– there is no one size fits all best answer. It’s unique to each one of us. Personal awareness of your communication style is key!
Felicia – Thanks for your comment! Sometimes that’s the hardest though, isn’t it? We tend (especially as service professionals) to try to conform to our client’s desires. Taking that step back and really becoming aware of our own strengths and style can be challenging! What would you recommend to someone who is struggling to be clear on their strengths?
There are a few clues to getting clear on your strengths:
Clue 1: Something you LOVE doing, have fun doing, and would do it if someone paid you or not.
Clue 2: Other people tell you repeatedly, “Hey you’re really good at X.” One person might be just trying to blow sunshine up your skirt, but if you hear the same compliment over and over from different people, there’s a CLUE that it’s probably true.
Clue 3: A skill you keep going back to in different ways. I’ve been giving this one a lot of thought myself. Teaching is what I’m REALLY good at. More than almost anything. And it keeps showing up for me. If I like something I end up teaching it. I taught college classes. I taught at the local scrapbooking stores. I teach now in my business. It’s not the same exact “job” but it’s the same requited skill that keeps coming up over and over.
Clue 4: Ask those closest to you what THEY think you’re good at. They’ll tell you.
Clue 5: Do a personality or skills assessment like they Meyers Briggs or DISC. I have a modified (yet still accurate, reliable, and valid) version of the Meyers Briggs that I developed for my students after reading the book “Do What You Are” by Tieger & Tieger. Then based on the results, you can get an idea of what others who share the same personality type typically excel in. (Yes, I can do this for you if you’d like!)
The worst thing you can do is try to be what someone else wants you to be — especially if it’s not who you are. It’s best to send that person on to find someone who can meet their needs. And for you to stay happy doing what you do best!
Thanks Felicia! That’s some awesome advice. I love your Clue #4 – I’ve done that and been quite surprised by some of the answers I received!
Rebekah,
First of all, I love the colors and look of your site make over. What a great discussion and love the clues from Felicia. I can completely relate, I currently have one client right now that kind of came as a “tag” team and one half communicates a lot by email the other prefers the phone. Not my favorite way to communicate because much of what I do I need to have uninterrupted time focused on the task at hand and it can be a real effort to get back to where I was when I’m interrupted with a call.
This client, though a wonderful client, has moved me to make some changes in my initial conversation with clients and as well as being sure to point out how I operate and what is the best way to connect with me. So thank you for bringing this up, it’s given me another reminder that it’s time for me to get on to that particular task on my list! LOL!
.-= Renee Shupe´s last blog ..How to Make a Backend Sale =-.
Thanks Renee! I’m with you on the phone calls…
I very much prefer using email to communicate. I feel that we have the time to choose our words, can be more specific by being decriptive. Being a VA myself, I can say that of course it is all about the client’s preferred mode of communication. I have used Skype, phone, and email. But any day email is my style!
Zarina –
I am such an email person! I agree that it is easier to really be more descriptive via email than some of the other options. It all depends on the client AND your relationship with them AND the nature of the conversation. I just Skyped with a client this morning — it was a quick “heads-up” conversation that was much better suited to Skype than an email. However, I’ll be following up with her via email as I’ll need to share more information, links, etc. and I want her to have the time to digest it properly.
Thanks for your comment!
~R