Read People“The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.”    Buddha

Relationships can  be built by using a trial and error approach to developing effective communications  with others. Great leaders, however, have learned that there’s a better way to more quickly connect with people – Determine their personality type.

Truly effective team builders have developed the  ability to see beyond appearances and quickly determine a person’s personality type. This provides them with  a time-saving advantage in establishing meaningful relationships, influencing decisions and motivating actions. Here’s a simple tool that you can use  to  rapidly understand the basic personality wiring of the person you’re seeking to connect with. Try the application on yourself first.

Which of these life-slogans  best describes you? Note that you’re likely to be a mix of two, but pick the one that’s most dominant.

1. “Get it done.”   2. “Do it right.”    3. “Lighten up.”   4.“Take it easy.”

Here’s what your choice reveals about your default behaviors:

If  your choice is #1, you’re a RED. You’re wired to be all business and fast paced. You like to get a job done quickly. You’re pleased when you  get a lot accomplished.

If you’ve selected #2, you’re a GREEN. You’re also all business, but you prefer to take your time on each task to assure that you do a thorough job. High quality work is important to you.

If #3 seems to fit you, you’re a BLUE. You’re fast paced and you enjoy entertaining people, particularly by telling stories and jokes. You know many people.

If you see yourself as a #4, you’re a GOLD. You prefer a slow and calm pace. You like helping people. You enjoy close relationships.

Which life-slogan color fits you best? Can you determine the life-slogan colors for others? Practice on your friends.

Once you have a color, then you can adapt your communications style to that color. Here are  some  guidelines for connecting best with each type:

RED- Don’t spend much time on fellowship. Don’t waste their time. Get right to the bottom-line. These folks are outcome-driven. They’re interested in getting back to the task at hand.

GREEN- Minimize the social time. Give them all the details of any project you want them to do. As well, give them plenty of time to process the information and to do  what you’d like them to do.

BLUE- Be a great listener. Let them have the microphone. Show appreciation for what they say and do. Follow up with a written summary of any requests you’ve made of them.

GOLD-  Connect in a warm, caring manner. Be transparent and understanding.  Give them your time, interest and heartfelt support.

Remember that if you’re seeking to lead and influence, you want  to connect with other people based on their  wiring, not your own.

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”  Ken Blanchard