Communication Style Quiz

Try this fun self-quiz to find out your dominant Communication Style. Afterwards read about the different styles and reflect on how you can work with others of a different style. Choose the number of the statement that most closely resembles you:

1. At a large social gathering, you are most likely to:

a. interact with many different people, strangers included.
b. talk one-on-one mostly with people you already know.
c. use the opportunity to make important contacts.
d. leave as soon as it is polite to do so.

2. When you first arrive at a meeting you are usually

a. ...a bit late, and try to sneak in the back without being noticed.
b. ...purposely a bit late, you like to get there when things have started happening already.
c. ...arrive right on time and feel impatient if the meeting starts late.
d. ...arrive early so that you can be ready and organized when the meeting starts.

3. If you were famous in your field, which career would most suit you?

a. Movie star
b. Head of a company
c. Inventor
d. Humanitarian

4. What style of entertainment do you most enjoy watching?

a. Something warm and friendly.
b. Something quirky and intellectual.
c. Something political or satirical.
d. Something wild, outrageous and/or fun.

5. Of these four personality traits, you consider your strongest to be:

a. Compassion
b. Assertiveness
c. Imagination
d. Persistence

6. The statement that most closely describes you is:

a. Sensible and frugal.
b. Rational and quick-witted.
c. Sensitive and reliable.
d. Creative and fiery.

7. Which appeals to you the most?

a. Taking action on a calculated risk.
b. Creating harmonious human relationships.
c. Discovering the secret behind a complex mystery.
d. Going to an exciting social event.

8. Which rules you more?

a. Your heart
b. Your head
c. Your wallet
d. Your libido

9. New and non-routine interaction with others:

a. ...usually stimulates and energize you.
b. ...revitalizes you, if you have a special connection with someone in the process.
c. ...taxes your reserves, and you arent afraid to let people know it.
d. ...taxes your reserves, so you quietly slip away when no one is watching.

10. When doing group projects, which part of the process is most important to you?

a. Creating relationships with people.
b. Sorting out who is playing what role in the project.
c. Organizing the way the project is done.
d. Making sure the process of doing it is fun and exciting.

11. If you suddenly have some spare time on a weekend, what you usually most WANT to do is:

a. ...contact several friends and see if there is something fun going on.
b. ...have some quality time with one or a just a few people.
c. ...get a number of important things done on your TO DO list.
d. ...focus your energy on one specific hobby or project.

12. You want to buy a special gift for a new friend that you dont know very well. You are most likely to:

a. Buy the first thing you see that you intuitively think they would like.
b. Carefully find just the right thing, after much comparison-shopping.
c. Buy the same special gift you always buy for special people.
d. Get someone else to buy the gift, or just give your friend some money.

13. Which description most fits you?

a. Hard working and ambitious
b. Animated and gregarious
c. Focused and efficient
d. Cooperative and gentle

14. Most of the time, when working, you prefer:

a. To do your job quietly on your own.
b. To be an integral part of a team working together.
c. To influence the team in new and creative directions
d. To be the leader and structure-maker for the team

15. When the phone rings do you

a. ...answer it immediately and talk at length.
b. ...look forward to the call, but wait a few rings before answering.
c. ...deal with whoever it is quickly and efficiently.
d. ...hope someone else will answer it.

16. Your favorite type of clothing to wear:

a Something comfortable, practical and low key.
b. A unique ensemble that makes a statement.
c. An expensive-looking power outfit.
d. Something easy-going and nice.

17. Which genre of fiction to you most prefer:

a. Mystery, documentary or science fiction
b. Feel-good story or romance
c. Epic, historical or action
d. Comedy, psychological thriller, glitzy

18. Which is more admirable:

a. The ability to organize and be methodical.
b. The ability to take charge in a chaotic situation.
c. The ability to motivate others to succeed.
d. The ability to make people feel comfortable and included.

19. In terms of comedy, I most closely identify with people who can:

a. tell a heartwarming, funny story.
b. tell a good joke.
c. create great characters through movement, voice, costume, etc.
d. tell a witty one-liner, pun, or wordplay.

20. If a conflict arises between a friend and I, my first reaction is to:

a. make sure they understand my position on things.
b. make sure the relationship doesnt get damaged.
c. avoid that person for a while.
d. find a compromise, where we both get at least part of what we want.

Communication Style Quiz - Answers

Circle 1FA8the answers you chose. Then, count the number of As, Ds, Ns, and Cs you have at the bottom

1. a. D b. N c. A d. C 2. a. N b. D c. A d. C 3. a. D b. A c. C d. N 4. a. N b. C c. A d. D 5. a. N b. A c. D d. C 6. a. C b. A c. N d. D 7. a. A b. N c. C d. D 8. a. N b. C c. A d. D 9. a. D b. N c. A d. C 10. a. N b. A c. C d. N 11. a. D b. N c. D d. C 12. a. D b. N c. C d. A 13. a. A b. D c. C d. N 14. a. C b. N c. D d. A 15. a. D b. N c. A d. C 16. a. C b. D c. A d. N 17. a. C b. N c. A d. D 18. a. C b. A c. D d. N 19. a. N b. A c. D d. C 20. a. A b. N c. C d. D

Total As _____
Total Ds ______
Total Ns ______
Total Cs ______

Total should come to 20

Read on about the various Communication styles. Keep in mind, the descriptions that follow are extreme examples to illustrate how they differ. Most people are a combination of the four styles, and some people are so unique, they dont fit into any quadrant. Use the descriptions simply as a guideline to help you see how workplace communications can be greatly affected by an individuals style

Demonstrators

Demonstrators are people-oriented, fast-paced and enthusiastic. They usually have more open and casual body language. They tend to be animated and outgoing, and prefer an informal atmosphere. Demonstrators can be outrageous, spontaneous, excitable and sociable. They are ideas people who like to be in the limelight. If over-balanced in this style some weaknesses may show up such as being unreliable, self-centered, overly optimistic and indiscriminate.

How to recognize Demonstrators

They tend to:

be somewhat disorganized

have trouble being on time and keeping track of details

wear bright colors

sit in an open posture

take the initiative in the conversation

laugh easily and loudly

are fun-loving

like to talk about themselves

Types of professions where you find many Demonstrators

Salesperson

Trial Lawyer

Entertainer

Public Relations Officer

Advertising Executive

Social director

Famous people who are predominantly Demonstrators

Steve Martin
Carol Burnett
Robin Williams
Jim Carey
Lucille Ball
Jerry Lewis
Elvis Presley
Zig Ziglar
Pierre Trudeau
Marilyn Monroe
Charlie Chaplin

Assertors

Assertors are fast-paced and direct, like Demonstrators, but are more task-oriented, than people-oriented. They tend to be hard working, ambitious, leader types. They are good at making decisions quickly and efficiently. They are goal-oriented, assertive and confident. Assertors are the take-charge people who let nothing stop them. If over-balanced in this style some weaknesses may show up such as being too impatient, competitive and judgmental.

How to recognize Assertors

They tend to:

like timeliness and efficiency
look and appear powerful and formal
sit in an erect posture
be highly discriminating in many areas (people, opportunities, food, etc.)
laugh less frequently than demonstrators, maintain a more serious demeanor
take a leadership role in most situations
ask pointed or challenging questions
have strong opinions and creative ideas to share

Types of professions where you find many Assertors

Corporate CEO
Politician
Stockbroker
Lawyer
Hard-driving newspaper reporter
Independent consultant
Drill sergeant
Film/TV Director
Entrepreneur

Famous people who are predominantly Assertors

Jonathan Winters
Bea Arthur
Joan Rivers
John Cleese
Muhammed Ali
Carroll OConnor
Ed Asner
Clint Eastwood
Candace Bergen
George C. Scott
David Letterman
Margaret Thatcher

Contemplators

Contemplators are task-oriented like Assertors. However they are more indirect and slow-paced. Contemplators tend to be analytical, detail-oriented, thinker types. They are persistent, good problem solvers, and pride themselves on their orderliness and accuracy. Often seen alone, they tend to have quiet, low-key personalities. If over-balanced in this style some weaknesses may show up such as being too withdrawn, rigid, closed-minded, and overly pessimistic.

How to recognize Contemplators

They tend to:

wear conservative, simple, functional clothing
sit in a closed posture
keep to themselves
not initiate conversations, wait for you to do that
take copious notes
maintain meticulous organization
stay serious, rarely laugh
like to hear facts, figures, statistics and proof

Types of professions where you find many Contemplators

Accountant
Secretary
Bookkeeper
Repair person
Engineer
Draughtperson
Electrician
Plumber
Jeweller
Scientist

Famous people who are predominantly Contemplators

Albert Einstein
Rick Moranis
Steven Wright
Woody Allen
Leonard Nimoy
Paula Poundstone
Deepak Chopra
Victor Borge
Carl Sagan
Al Gore
Angela Lansbury

Narrators

Narrators are slow-paced and indirect like Contemplators, but they are more people-oriented like Demonstrators. They are warm, friendly, gentle and cooperative. They highly value relationships over goals. They are good at listening, have a sweet temperament, and tend to be open-minded. Most people find them to be loving, and emotionally intuitive. If over-balanced in this style it can show up as overly meek and easily sidetracked.

How to recognize Narrators

They tend to:

come across as very accommodating and helpful
wear casual, simple clothing, nothing too loud
take the initiative to create relationships, like to both talk and listen
have pictures of family on their desk
laugh quietly and often (but sometimes theyre laughing just to be polite)
show gratitude easily

Types of professions where you find many Narrators

Counselor
Teacher
Minister
Human Resources Manager
Nurse
Social Worker

Famous people who are predominantly Narrators

Mary Tyler Moore
Bill Cosby
Jean Stapleton
John Candy
Mr. Rogers
Gilda Radner
Dan Ackroyd
Jack Canfield (Editor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books)
Leo Buscaglia
Jimmy Carter
Barbara Walters
Bill Clinton
Florence Nightengale

Carla Rieger is an expert on creative people skills at work. If you want a motivational speaker, trainer, or leadership coach to help you stay on the creative edge, contact Carla Rieger.

Web site: http://www.carlarieger.com
Tel: 1-866-294-2988
Email carla@carlarieger.com

Howard Cutler
Richard Dawkins