Behavioral Styles in the Workplace

We behave very consistently in the way we communicate with others, both verbally and non-verbally. For instance, during meetings some people will give only the bottom line and big picture, others will ask lots of questions, others will change their mind about decisions, and some will speak only when asked.

Before you can become more effective in your communication, you must become more aware of how you interact and behave in relation to others. The healthcare work environment is complex and challenging. Understanding yourself and how you work best will create a safe environment for people to share freely and loyalty will follow. We interact in four basic ways. These four behavioral styles combine to make us complex yet predictable.

An individual with a high dominance behavioral style places emphasis on shaping his or her environment by overcoming opposition to accomplish results. This individual has a tendency toward getting immediate results, accepting challenges, making quick decisions, and questioning the status quo. This individual desires an environment that includes power and authority, opportunities for individual accomplishments, and freedom from controls. He or she needs people around them who weigh pros and cons, calculate risks, and uses caution.

An individual with a high influence behavioral style places emphasis on shaping the environment by influencing or persuading others. This person's tendencies include contacting people, being articulate, and creating a motivating environment. The desires of this individual from the environment would include popularity, social recognition, freedom of expression and group activities outside of work. This person needs others around them who concentrate on the tasks and speak directly and respect sincerity.

An individual with high steadiness behavioral style places emphasis on cooperating with others within existing circumstances to carry out tasks. This person's tendencies include performing in a consistent, predictable manner, demonstrating patience, developing specialized skills. This person desires an environment that includes maintenance of the status quo unless given reasons for change, predictable routines, and credit for work accomplished. This person needs other who around them react quickly to unexpected change, stretch toward the challenges of accepted tasks, become involved in more than one thing, and apply pressure on others.

An individual with a high conscientiousness behavioral style places emphasis on working conscientiously within existing circumstances to ensure quality and accuracy. This person's tendencies include adhering to key directives and standards, concentrating on key details, thinking analytically, and weighing pros and cons. This person desires an environment that includes clearly defined performance expectations, values of quality and accuracy, and a reserved, business-like atmosphere. This person needs others around them who delegate important tasks, make quick decisions, and use policies only as guidelines.

You can become more effective by identifying your behavior style and what will enhance your performance. The next important step is to work towards consciously achieving enhanced performance. Everyone can become more aware and effective with increased personal knowledge and development. The number one controllable nurse retention issue is management and staff relationship. Learning your behavioral style will result in improving relationships at home as well as work.

For more information on how to make your workplace more successful contact Doris Young at (800) 673-8005 or www.DorisYoungAssociates.com.

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Behavioral Styles in the Workplace