If we consider culture – learned differences in thinking, feeling, and acting of people around the globe – as “software of the mind,” we can think about temperament or innate communication style as “hardware of the mind.” There are a host of approaches to understanding innate communication style, including Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Social Style, DISC, Keirsey, and Management

By Strengths. The approaches vary in complexity and nuances, but fundamentally theorize that people come hard-wired in four basic preferred modes of behaving and interacting with others.

Looking at the Management By Strengths model, the four modes are:

• Directness – getting results, being in control and solving problems
• Extroversion – focus is on people and teamwork
• Pace – focus is on timing, harmony and cooperation
• Structure – focus is on precision and doing the right thing

Everyone is capable of using all the different modes, but people tend to prefer one of the modes most of the time. We can greatly improve our ability to “tune in” to others by appealing to their preferred communication style. For example, get right to the point first when speaking with a person with directness as their dominant style.

Using a neutral platform to foster improved communication can help people feel less risk in giving trust – which, in turn, accelerates trust.