The Perceptive Communication Framework
Know the impact of your communication style.
How effectively we relate to people will be impacted by how effectively we communicate with them. The Perceptive Communication framework can be used to help clients build self-awareness about how others experience their communication and may help them access opportunities to leverage a broader range of styles to increase their communication effectiveness. This tool can help clients become aware of the biases they have about how much the expect people to demonstrate power/control or receptiveness in the way they communication. It may provide insight into why they are challenged in their interactions with others or why others are challenged by them.
The perceptive communication framework maps 4 core communication styles based on the degree to which a person’s communication is perceived as dominating or open.
The controlling style - which is perceived as high in dominance/ assertiveness and low in openness
The analyzing style - which is perceived as low in dominance and low in openness
The advocating style - which is perceived as high in dominance and high in emotional openness
The facilitator style - which is perceived as high in openness but low in dominance.
Each style presents communication challenges and strengths that are helpful for clients to be aware of. Being aware of their style or even simply being aware that these style exists can create an opportunity for clients to rethink they way they interpret the communication of others and potentially help them identify opportunities for adapting their style to be more effective. This would not mean that clients would encouraged to change their style but it potentially opens them up to wider range of behavioral options if their style is not serving them well in a particular situation. Gaining knowledge of the framework can be insightful for clients who are grappling with interpersonal challenges. It can also offer useful language for the client and coach to use as they process the effectiveness of their communication and interactions.
Clients can learn where their style falls within this framework by taking the perceptive communication assessment. A limitation of this instrument is that is it requires a significant financial investment and may not be accessible to all clients. However, knowledge of the framework alone can be helpful in helping client reframe certain experiences and reflect on the impact of communication in the interpersonal challenges they face.
A second point for consideration when using this framework is that employing certain styles can have different consequences for people in marginalized groups. It’s possible that being encouraged to adapt styles may be interpreted as an insensitive expectation to assimilate. As a coach I would be sensitive to those risks when sharing this resource and share this resource in a way that would support clients in exploring any concerns about those dynamics.