Improving Interpersonal Relationships

Hi, it's me again. Hope I did not bore you down with my previous post. I know it looks dry with too many words. I am a person who is not so creative so reading my blog can be quite tedious but I will try my best to make it more interesting.

A few days back, I have come across an interesting topic in Organizational Communications class. The topic is IMPROVING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. It is fascinating to learn the four types of communication styles each person might posses. The four communication styles are Closed, Blind, Hidden, and Open. Interested to know what style are you using? Try this survey and you will know!

Direction

Answer each of the following questions by circling a number from 1 to 10 that represents how true or false each statements is to you.

Questions

1) I feel more comfortable around things than people.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

2) To keep the peace, I usually give in.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

3) I find that I'm usually right on most issues.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

4) I make sure that my opinions are known.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

5) It's important to me that people like me; if they don't, I feel very uncomfortable.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

6) I usually withhold my opinions until I know what other people think.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

7) I like almost all of the people I meet.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

8) Working on teams is fun and effective.

False 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 True

Scoring

Add the points from questions 7 and 8: total= Open

Add the points from questions 5 and 6: total= Hidden

Add the points from questions 3 and 4: total= Blind

Add the points from questions 1 and 2: total= Closed

*Your largest total represents the communication style you use when things are going smoothly. The next largest total ( or two totals if the scores are very close) are the styles you jump back to under stress.

*This survey is taken from Communicating for Results textbook.

Here are descriptions of Closed, Blind, Hidden, Open Communicator:

A) Closed Style

• Productive when allowed to work alone
• Uncomfortable around people
• Seldom communicates expectations
• Motivated by anxiety or fear
• Avoids conflict

CLOSED!

B) Blind Style

• Seen as authoritarian and demanding
• Motivated by over self-confidence
• Usually experienced and knowledgeable
• Handles conflict by force

BLIND!

C) Hidden Style

• Prefers a social environment
• Motivated by mistrust or need to please
• Disclose only positives expectations or opinions
• Smooth over conflict
• Good listener

HIDDEN!

D) Open Style

• Seen as a team communicator
• Motivated by confidence and like of people
• Often too open and/ or open too soon
• Uses problem-solving to handle conflict
• Communicates expectations

OPEN!

~ Ends ~