Communication Style Quiz

Question 1: When I am in a meeting, I prefer to sit... a. At the head of the table (red - 1 mark)
b. Where I can see people best (blue - 2 marks)
c. Next to someone I know (yellow - 3 marks)
d. With at least one seat between me and the next person (green - 4 marks)

Question 2: When I speak with a person... a. I look down sometimes (green - 4 marks)
b. I look directly at him or her the entire time (red - 1 mark)
c. I look at him or her often (blue - 2 marks)
d. I tend to look around (or at my screen) more than at the person (yellow - 3 marks)

Question 3: When I greet co-workers that I know well... a. I say hello but usually do not touch them (blue - 2 marks)
b. I give a firm handshake (red - 1 mark)
c. I might give them a hug (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I give them an enthusiastic handshake and a smile (green - 4 marks)

Question 4: When I am talking to people I know... a. I like to stand within a comfortable conversation distance from them (yellow - 3 marks)
b. I feel uncomfortable if they stand too close to me (green - 4 marks)
c. I like to stand within a respectful distance from them (blue - 2 marks)
d. I try to stand the distance that I believe they're most comfortable with (red - 1 mark)

Question 5: My walk is... a. Slow and leisurely (green - 4 marks)
b. Lively (yellow - 3 marks)
c. Even (blue - 2 marks)
d. Rapid (red - 1 mark)

Question 6: When other people talk... a. I look for the main point (red - 1 mark)
b. I look for a good story (yellow - 3 marks)
c. I look for supporting facts (blue - 2 marks)
d. I try to figure out what they're feeling (green - 4 marks)

Question 7: When I speak publicly... a. I vary my voice level to emphasize my points (yellow - 3 marks)
b. I speak clearly but not loudly (blue - 2 marks)
c. I speak relatively quietly (green - 4 marks)
d. I speak in a strong, confident voice (red - 1 mark)

Question 8: When I see conflict... a. I try to lighten the mood by focusing on the positive (yellow - 3 marks)
b. I avoid it (green - 4 marks)
c. I dive right in (red - 1 mark)
d. I try to figure out what caused it (blue - 2 marks)

Question 9: When people enter my workspace... a. I ask them if they would like to sit down (blue - 2 marks)
b. I gesture to where I want them to sit (red - 1 mark)
c. I let them decide where or whether to take a seat (green - 4 marks)
d. I pull out a chair for them (yellow - 3 marks)

Question 10: When I am engaged in problem solving... a. I like to state the problem and lead the discussion on solutions (red - 1 mark)
b. I listen first to what other people have to say (green - 4 marks)
c. I focus first on understanding the context or the big picture (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I focus on asking questions that provide data and facts (blue - 2 marks)

Question 11: I often start conversations by... a. Finding out how the other person's day is going (green - 4 marks)
b. Telling a relevant story (yellow - 3 marks)
c. Getting right to the point (red - 1 mark)
d. Establishing the purpose of the conversation (blue - 2 marks)

Question 12: When I make a decision... a. I see how other people are going to be affected by it (green - 4 marks)
b. I rely on my own judgment (red - 1 mark)
c. I communicate the decision in a way that will resonate with others (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I rely on sound decision-making best practices (blue - 2 marks)

Question 13: When someone is giving a presentation... a. I need it to be compelling and engaging (yellow - 3 marks)
b. I imagine how he or she must feel (green - 4 marks)
c. I try to evaluate the logic of it (blue - 2 marks)
d. I get impatient if it does not get to the point quickly (red - 1 mark)

Question 14: When a friend touches me (e.g., puts a hand on my arm)... a. I'm fine with it (yellow - 3 marks)
b. I'm a bit irritated by it (red - 1 mark)
c. I assume that they want to connect (green - 4 marks)
d. I sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable (blue - 2 marks)

Question 15: When I am trying to get what I want... a. I seek to connect what I want to the needs and wants of others (green - 4 marks)
b. I make a rational argument for my case (blue - 2 marks)
c. I see it as an opportunity to pitch for what I want (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I am confident in telling others what I want (and don't want) (red - 1 mark)

Question 16: In terms of how others see me... a. I carefully control how I present myself (blue - 2 marks)
b. I let others know how I feel (yellow - 3 marks)
c. I am a private person (green - 4 marks)
d. I am an open book (red - 1 mark)

Question 17: In a group meeting... a. I tend to evaluate ideas (blue - 2 marks)
b. I seek ways to keep everyone involved (green - 4 marks)
c. I'm comfortable taking charge of leading the conversation (red - 1 mark)
d. I listen carefully to what people want (yellow - 3 marks)

Question 18: As far as I am concerned, public expression of personal feelings... a. Makes things more interesting (yellow - 3 marks)
b. Makes people somewhat uncomfortable (blue - 2 marks)
c. Helps me connect and interact with others (green - 4 marks)
d. Gets in the way of getting work done (red - 1 mark)

Question 19: Most business meetings are an opportunity to... a. Get my opinions across and my ideas implemented (red - 1 mark)
b. Build a relationship with others as we get work done (green - 4 marks)
c. Share deliverables as well as work-in-progress and results (yellow - 3 marks)
d. Analyze, investigate, and make sure we're doing things correctly (blue - 2 marks)

Question 20: When I tell a story... a. I focus on the characters' personal situation (green - 4 marks)
b. I seek to engage the audience's minds, hearts, and imaginations (yellow - 3 marks)
c. I systematically build a case (blue - 2 marks)
d. I get right to the point (red - 1 mark)

Question 21: In terms of teamwork... a. I like to know who the players are (blue - 2 marks)
b. I like to know all the details on how to get things done (red - 1 mark)
c. I like to define the tasks and lead (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I like to see my role in the context of the big picture (green - 4 marks)

Question 22: When I give a presentation... a. It is well-organized (blue - 2 marks)
b. It taps into people's emotions (yellow - 3 marks)
c. It is forceful (red - 1 mark)
d. It is engaging and motivating (green - 4 marks)

Question 23: When people get upset or cry in front of me... a. I tell them to take a moment (blue - 2 marks)
b. I ask questions to try and find an appropriate way to help them (green - 4 marks)
c. I tell them a story that they might relate to and try to make them feel better (yellow - 3 marks)
d. I think of ways to try and remove myself from the situation (red - 1 mark)

Question 24: My telephone calls... a. Are as brief as possible (red - 1 mark)
b. Focus only on the business at hand (blue - 2 marks)
c. Are lively and engaging (yellow - 3 marks)
d. Tend to be long (green - 4 marks)