Author: Eric Douglas Blog

Eric Douglas is the senior partner and founder of Leading Resources Inc., a consulting firm that focuses on developing high-performing organizations. For more than 20 years, Eric has successfully helped a wide array of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations achieve breakthroughs in performance. His new book The Leadership Equation helps leaders achieve strategic clarity, manage change effectively, and build a leadership culture.

How Each Style Manages Conflict

Each communication style tries to manage conflict in different ways. The following chart shows how each style approaches conflict and responds to it, both in positive and negative ways. Conflict “Triggers” Each communication style has certain “triggers” that spark them to react in negative ways. Directors are triggered by the perception that the span of …

The Circle of Assumptions

When discussing an issue or solving a problem, people often jump to conclusions before they spend time talking about what the problem is – or what data they have at hand. The Circle of Assumptions teaches us an orderly way to think about problems, starting with data and building toward conclusions. It enables us to …

The Role of Attention

To become proficient in identifying other people’s styles, you need to understand how communication styles work. Of the nearly infinite things we could be aware of at any one time we focus on only a few. At the center of this selection process sits our attention.  It is the roving lens of the mind, constantly scouring …

Communication Styles in Business

If you’re a manager, you already know that managing people can be a challenge. Managerial success depends on understanding how each style operates. Everything you do, from managing your time to making a sales pitch, can be improved by using what you’ve learned about communication styles. Motivating Different Styles Studies show that people are motivated …

Five Trends in Workplace Communication

Several trends are making competence in communication more important today than ever before. Here are five recent trends in workplace communication: 1) The Accelerating Pace of Market Changes The need to respond quickly to market changes creates the need for a less rigid and bureaucratic work environment. Information must flow up, down, and across traditional channels. …

Communication Quote #6

How to Modify Your Communication Style

Each communication style is equally important and valuable. However, a particular style might be more effective in a given situation. If you’re trying to brainstorm, an Expresser style is valuable. If you’re trying to explain a process to a group of engineers, a Thinker style is valuable. If you want to build trust, a Harmonizer …

Communication Quote #5

Four Advanced Communication Skills

The art of communicating authentically is a learned skill. It takes coaching and practice to do it well. Communicating authentically means being honest, open and thoughtful in what you say ­– and in how you listen and respond to what you hear. This post describes four skills to help leaders communicate authentically. Speak for Yourself Effective leaders …

The Four Types of Intent

Understanding intent is key to improving the quality of communication. This post describes the four types of intent in detail and provides useful tips for people who want to display positive intent. Introduction There are four types of intent that underlie all communication: affirming, controlling, defending, and withdrawing. Everyone displays all four types of intent, but …

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