1

Communication Styles: A Self‐Assessment Exercise

(Based on the work of P Case “Teaching for the Cross-Cultural Mind”
Washington, DC, SIETAR, 1981)

Instructions: Please select from each pair of attributes the one which is most
typical of your personality. No pair is an either-or proposal. Make your choice as
spontaneously as possible. There is no wrong answer.

1. I like action. 19. I think I am good at reading people.

2. I deal with problems in a systematic 20. I like creative problem solving.
way.
21. I extrapolate and project all the time.
3. I believe that teams are more 22. I am sensitive to others’ needs.
effective than individuals.
4. I enjoy innovation very much. 23. Planning is the key to success.
24. I become impatient with long
5. I am more interested in the future deliberations.
than in the past.
6. I enjoy working with people. 25. I am cool under pressure.
26. I value experience very much.
7. I like to attend well-organized group
meetings. 27. I listen to people.
8. Deadlines are important for me. 28. People say that I am a fast thinker.

9. I cannot stand procrastination. 29. Cooperation is a key word for me.

10. I believe that new ideas have to be 30. I use logical methods to test
tested before being used. alternatives.

11. I enjoy the stimulation of interaction 31. I like to handle several projects at
with others. the same time.
12. I am always looking for new 32. I always question myself.
possibilities.
33. I learn by doing.
13. I want to set up my own objectives. 34. I believe that my head rules my
14. When I start something, I go through heart.
until the end.
35. I can predict how others may react
15. I basically try to understand other to a certain action.
people’s emotions. 36. I do not like details.
16. I do challenge people around me.

17. I look forward to receiving feedback

on my performance.
18. I find the step-by-step approach very
effective.
 2

Communication Styles: A Self‐Assessment Exercise

(Based on the work of P Case “Teaching for the Cross-Cultural Mind”
Washington, DC, SIETAR, 1981)

37. Analysis should always precede 61. I try out my new ideas on people.
action. 62. I believe in the scientific approach.
38. I am able to assess the climate of a
group. 63. I like to get things done.
64. Good relationships are essential.
39. I have a tendency to start things and
not finish them up. 65. I am impulsive.
40. I perceive myself as decisive. 66. I accept differences in people.

41. I search for challenging tasks. 67. Communicating with people is an

42. I rely on observation and data. end in itself.
68. I like to be intellectually stimulated.
43. I can express my feelings openly.
44. I like to design new projects. 69. I like to organize.
70. I usually jump from one task to
45. I enjoy reading very much. another.
46. I perceive myself as a facilitator.
71. Talking and working with people is a
47. I like to focus on one issue at a time. creative art.
48. I like to achieve. 72. Self-actualization is a key word for
me.
49. I enjoy learning about others.
50. I like variety. 73. I enjoy playing with ideas.
74. I dislike wasting my time.
51. Facts speak for themselves.
52. I use my imagination as much as 75. I enjoy doing what I am good at.
possible. 76. I learn by interacting with others.

53. I am impatient with long, slow 77. I find abstractions interesting and
assignments. enjoyable.
54. My mind never stops working. 78. I am patient with details.

55. Key decisions have to be made in a 79. I like brief, to the point statements.
cautious way. 80. I feel confident in myself.
56. I strongly believe that people need
each other to get work done.

57. I usually make decisions without

thinking too much.
58. Emotions create problems.

59. I like to be liked by others.

60. I can put two and two together very
quickly.
 3

Communication Styles: A Self‐Assessment Exercise

(Based on the work of P Case “Teaching for the Cross-Cultural Mind”
Washington, DC, SIETAR, 1981)

Scoring Sheet for the Communication Styles Assessment

Instructions: Circle the items you have selected and add up the totals for each
style (one point per answer). The maximum is 20 per style and your total for the
four styles should be 40.

Style Circle your answer here Total Score

(max. 20)

Style 1
1 - 8 - 9 - 13 - 17 - 24 - 26 - 31 - 33 - 40 - 41 - ____________
48 - 50 - 53 - 57 - 63 - 65 - 70 - 74 – 79

Style 2
2 - 7 - 10 - 14 - 18 - 23 - 25 - 30 - 34 - 37 - 42 - ____________
47 - 51 - 55 - 58 - 62 - 66 - 69 - 75 - 78

Style 3
3 - 6 - 11 - 15 - 19 - 22 - 27 - 29 - 35 - 38 - 43 - ____________
46 - 49 - 56 - 59 - 64 - 67 - 71 - 76 - 80

Style 4
4 - 5 - 12 - 16 - 20 - 21 - 28 - 32 - 36 - 39 - 44 - ____________
45 - 52 - 54 - 60 - 61 - 68 - 72 - 73 – 77
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Communication Styles Described

We can think about the four styles in quadrants that use focus and pace as key indicators. Associators
and Innovators are primarily concerned with relationships. For Associators, it’s mostly relationships of
people whereas Innovators are thinking of relationships of ideas and then how they relate to people.
Systemizers and Energizers are looking at results—data results and then deliverable or end results.

Style 1: Energizer: Direct/Fast‐Paced, Results Oriented

1. Characteristics: Pragmatic, Direct, Impatient, Decisive, Quick, Energetic

2. Discussion Topics: Results, Objectives, Performance, Efficiency, Progress, Decisions,
Responsibility, Feedback, Achievements
3. Priorities: Action, Accomplishment
4. Time: Right now

Skills: Highly productive, energetic, enthusiastic, good at making decisions

May come across as: Impatient, insensitive, miss details
Communicating with an Energizer
 Brevity is key, talk in bullet points
 Focus on results first
 Emphasize practicality of idea
 Make direct eye contact and be confident
 Use visual Aids
 Walk and talk

Style 2: Systemizer: Indirect/Slow Paced, Results Oriented

1. Characteristics: Logical, Analytical, Organized, Systematic, Factual, Cautious

2. Discussion Topics: Facts, Procedures, Planning, Organizing, Controlling, Testing, Trying things
out, Analysis, Observations, Proof, Details
3. Priorities: Facts, Order, Details
4. Time: Past, Present, and Future

Skills: Organize information well, less prone to mistakes

May come across as: Picky, aloof, critical
Communicating with a Systemizer
 Focus on facts and data
 Provide proof and methodology to back up proposal
 Keep discussion/proposal in logical order (background, current situation, results)
 Provide written documentation
 Do not rush
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Communication Styles Described

Style 3: Associator: Indirect/Slow Paced, Relationship Oriented

1. Characteristics: Friendly, Warm, Empathetic, Emotional, Perceptive, Sensitive, Spontaneous
2. Discussion Topics: People Needs, Motivation, Teamwork, Communication, Feelings, Self‐
Development, Awareness, Relationships
3. Priorities: Relationships, People
4. Time: Past

Skills: Perceptive, friendly, team players

May come across as: Unassertive, emotional, slow
Communicating with an Associator
 Allow for personal talk, build rapport
 Connect results to relationships and people
 Seek their opinions/ideas
 Discuss past results and successes

Style 4: Innovator: Direct/Fast Paced, Relationship oriented

1. Characteristics: Charismatic, Creative, Difficult to Understand, Full of Ideas, Provocative

2. Discussion Topics: Concepts, Innovation, New Ways, New Methods, Improvement, New Ideas,
Opportunities, Possibilities, Big Picture, Potential
3. Priorities: Relationships, People
4. Time: Future

Skills: Visionary, Creative, See big picture

May come across as: Difficult to understand, unrealistic, unproductive
Communicating with an Innovator
 Allow time for brainstorming
 Talk about big picture and what idea could mean
 Stress uniqueness of an idea or topic
 Follow up meeting with brief to‐do list