How to Collaborate with Different Personalities
Maximizing the value of your team’s experiences and opinions
Collaboration is the oil that keeps your organization running smoothly. Effective collaboration is inclusive, respectful, and powerful.
Good businesses prioritize collaboration among different teams and personalities because it is respectful and improves morale. Exceptional businesses and leaders prioritize comprehensive collaboration because they know it’s the only way to create truly optimized solutions.
Whether you’re focused on better connecting with co-workers or clients, here are a few key insights on how to improve your communication with different types of personalities:
Remember that it’s not personal
Whether you’re a social butterfly or a reserved introvert, it can be challenging to communicate with people when there’s no shared connection. This discomfort often leads us to say the wrong thing, long “awkward” pauses, or jump to conclusions. None of these things is the end of the world and is genuinely natural for newer connections.
Rather than assume the worst when there isn’t an instant spark, give yourself and the other person the space to develop a rapport organically. It can also be preferred to express your needs/preferences explicitly.
There are so many factors that influence how a person behaves - family and friends, regional norms, media input, life experience, etc. - that it’s difficult to gain a complete understanding of someone through a few isolated interactions. Try to give people the benefit of the doubt when possible and continue to express your needs and preferences, while leaving room for the other person’s proclivities as well.
Connect the dots by finding common ground
With a little effort, it’s not hard to establish a few shared interests with new acquaintances. From deep passions to smaller hobbies, finding common ground can really open the door to more connections and possibilities with relationships. Try to focus your small talk around points that can lead to deeper conversations to establish a rapport with new clients and colleagues.
Here are a few ideas of topics to focus on that can blossom into longer, more engaged conversations:
Food / snacks / restaurants / pot-luck go-tos / family recipes
Favorite movie / music / TV show / streaming platform
Current weather / ideal climate / best season
Compliments / praise
Travel / destinations / hidden gems / snafus
Work hacks/leaders you look up / productivity tips
Pets/kids/things you’re nostalgic about
Even if you can’t relate to an answer, try to have follow-up questions, where appropriate, to show that you’re interested. Conversations have a funny way of branching out to all kinds of topics when both parties are actively engaged with one another.
Listen and learn
First of all, just by taking the time to prioritize reading this article, you’re putting in the effort to be a better collaborator. That’s a remarkable step forward. Oftentimes showing the other person that you’re willing to put effort into understanding their needs is enough for them to return the favor.
If you’re having trouble connecting with a team member, it’s OK to ask questions. Asking questions with relevant follow-up responses is a great way to show somebody that you’re genuinely interested in them and what they have to say.
Another great way to improve your communication skills with different people is to focus on their body language. Make note of how they’re responding to your tone/communication style and the different subjects being discussed. Actions can speak louder than words, especially if the other person is shy or reserved.
Focus on the shared goal
Fortune 500 companies, legendary bands, and championship sports teams all bring together a myriad of personalities to achieve a single shared goal - success! If a personal difference starts to generate friction between you and a coworker, it’s important to remember that what’s best for both of you is fostering mutual success.
Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best thing. We’re all coming from different perspectives, so it’s key to validate the other person’s opinion and redirect the conversation to what is going to move the project, task, team, or company forward.
If you’re speaking to a customer, you have to be able to highlight the benefits of your product or service to them. It’s obvious why a sale is a goal for you, but after your sales finesse, the customer will understand how a purchase supports their goals as well.
Respectful and attentive communication will allow you to collaborate with people of all walks of life to create win-win relationships with all of your colleagues and clientele.
Get collaborating!