Yardi RISE hosted its latest summer event in Milton Keynes with a workshop on “Communication Styles.” The session was led by Yardi’s Laura Gielczowski, who shared her expertise in effective workplace communication.
The event aimed to help participants recognise distinct communication styles, develop awareness of their own tendencies and learn how to adapt their approach to foster stronger connections and professional performance.
The Four Communication Styles
The core focus of the session was to explore and understand the four principal communication styles: Conscientious, Dominance, Steadiness and Influence. Traits and behaviours characterise each style. When understood, these insights can provide valuable information on how individuals prefer to interact with others.
- Conscientious: Communicators in this group tend to be indirect and guarded. They prefer a slower pace and are strongly task-oriented, often focusing on precision, structure and detail.
- Dominance: Those with a dominance style communicate directly and with confidence. They are fast-paced and task-driven, often assertive in their approach and motivated by results.
- Steadiness: Communicators are indirect yet open, with a calm and steady manner. They are people-oriented, patient and collaborative – valuing harmony and supportiveness.
- Influence: Characterised by being direct and open, with a fast pace and a people-oriented mindset. Influencers are enthusiastic, expressive and energised by interaction.
However, it is vital to note, as Gielczowski highlights within the session, that no single style is superior to another. Instead, each has inherent strengths and potential challenges. Individuals may display one style in professional environments and another in personal interactions, reflecting the adaptability of human communication. Importantly, communication style is not synonymous with personality.
The Importance of Recognising Communication Styles
Another significant focus of the workshop was understanding the value of identifying one’s own communication style and that of others. By cultivating this awareness, individuals can adjust their approach to suit the preferences of those they are engaging with. This adaptability promotes efficiency, reduces the likelihood of miscommunication and mitigates potential conflict.
For instance, a direct, results-driven message may resonate strongly with a dominant communicator. However, it may be less effective when directed towards a “steadiness style” communicator, who prefers a supportive and measured dialogue. Understanding these nuances enables more thoughtful interactions, stronger rapport, and more productive outcomes. In essence, the ability to adapt communication styles is a professional skill that enhances both collaboration and relationship-building, within and beyond the workplace.
Putting Skills into Practice
The second half of the workshop provided attendees with the opportunity to apply their learnings through a collaborative exercise. Participants were divided into teams according to their self-identified communication style and were tasked with presenting an imaginary product to the broader group.
The exercise offered a practical demonstration of how communication styles manifest in action. The Dominance group, for example, presented their ideas with clarity and focus on results, while the Influence group delivered a more light-hearted and humorous pitch. Observers noted the distinct features of each presentation and how these reflected the underlying tendencies of each communication style.
Strengthening Connections Through Communication
As Yardi RISE continues to evolve, it not only empowers women at Yardi but also equips participants with essential tools to succeed and grow with confidence. Since 2022, Yardi RISE has hosted more than 15 events, ranging from in-person workshops to virtual sessions, with contributions from over 20+ female speakers, both internal and external to Yardi.
Building on this momentum, RISE has now partnered with W@Y (Women @ Yardi). The initiative was originally founded in Yardi’s Austin, Texas office focusing on leadership, growth and empowering female leadership groups to strengthen local communities across Yardi offices in America. Together, the RISE Board and the W@Y team in the US have launched a new joint initiative: W@Y to RISE.
W@Y to RISE is designed to connect women globally, facilitating international collaboration, leadership insight and the unlocking of potential. By combining the strengths of both initiatives, this partnership provides a powerful platform for women at Yardi to build connections across borders, share knowledge and continue to drive collective empowerment.
The expansion of RISE reflects Yardi’s commitment to cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment where knowledge is shared, skills are honed, and empowerment becomes collective.
Want to learn more about Yardi RISE? Check out our previous posts or follow the hashtag #RiseWithYardi on socials.