Last month, I attended “Listening and Interpersonal Communication”, a professional development course through Valdosta State University. I explored the different communication styles and learned how I can better communicate with those around me. I learned that there are four primary types of communicators: thinkers, sensors, intuitors, and feelers. My primary communication style is thinker, my secondaries are sensor and intuitor; and I learned that I need some work on my feeler style.

Thinkers are analytical and organized. They are sought-out for their problem solving skills. At their best, thinkers are highly effective in organizing teams for research and planning. They greatly help in executing a logical, painstaking, and profitable projects. At their worst, thinkers can become so involved in analyzing the situation that they hold up progress.

Sensors are decisive and determined doers. They value quick decision-making to prevent anxiety or wasted time from occurring. At their best, sensors are Herculean workers who will move mountains to achieve success. At their worst, sensors fail to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, and they can project their imposingly high expectations on others.

Intuitors are creative and imaginative scholars. They seem to see into the future as a great visionary and excel in long-range planning. At their best, intuitors lead the vision of the group and are able to see profitable new solutions that others miss. At their worst, intuitors can become overconfident in their contributions with the group and appear to look down on others.

Feelers are considerate and friendly. They have a talent for empathizing and creating harmony because they take an interest in the person behind the job. At their best, feelers are great listeners and observers, which often provides feelers with the insight needed to promote changes in ways that will reduce resistance and increase cooperation, teamwork, and progress. At their worst, feelers can take their own emotional reactions as fact instead of thinking through their emotions.

This course made me think about the way I communicate with others. I must admit it is pretty accurate. I am very analytical and organized. I enjoy learning new skills and being as productive as possible. Because I take out the emotional cause in my decision-making process and communication with others, I need to work on being more conscious of other people’s feelings. Overall, I feel I walked away with a better understanding of my communication skills and how to better them.