Communicator Style Definitions

Communicator Style is defined as the way an individual uses verbal and nonverbal

communicative behaviors to indicate how literal a message should be taken or understood. This

style may be comprised of any combination of these ten attributes. Generally, we each use

several of these at the same time. This creates our “communication style cluster.”

The 10 communicator style attributes are as follows:

1. Friendly people recognize others in a positive way and are generally considered to be

kind and caring.

2. Impression leaving communicators have a memorable style, which depends on their

affiliative expressiveness and use of information-seeking behaviors.

3. Relaxed communicators are anxiety-free and remain calm and at ease when engaged in

interactions with others.

4. Contentious individuals will argue, and may get somewhat hostile, quarrelsome, or

belligerent.

5. Attentive communicators are alert and are good listeners who are concerned with

understanding others.

6. Precise communicators try to be strictly accurate, using well-defined arguments and

specific proof or evidence to clarify their positions.

7. Animated communicators use eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, body

movement, and posture to exaggerate content.

8. Dramatic communicators use stylistic devices (exaggerations, voice, rhythm, stories) to

underscore content.

9. Open communicators are extroverted, unreserved, and straightforward; they do not have

problems directly communicating their thoughts or emotions.

10. Dominant communicators “take charge” of the situation by talking louder, longer, and

more frequently than others.

We look at these scores in “clusters.” Take your top three scores and these may be the most

descriptive of your general style of communication.

Researchers have found that:

□ Employees prefer their superiors to use the relaxed, friendly, and attentive

attributes.

□ Charismatic leaders tend to use the attentive, relaxed, friendly and dominant

attributes.

□ Strong public speakers are dominant, animated, open, friendly, dramatic, and

attentive.