In her article for Fast Company, Stephanie Vozza describes these six communication styles.  Everyone prefers one of them.  What’s your base language?  When you learn to recognize and use them, you will improve your communication with others.

>  Feelings Language  About 30% of the people in North America use their heart as a compass and focus on emotions.  They may start sentences with "I feel . . . or "I care."  This is their base language.

> Thoughts Language  About 25% of the population speak in facts, details, characteristics, and features.  They may say "I think . . .” or "Research suggests . . .” 

> Reactive Language  About 20% say something before thinking about it.  They may say "Awesome” or start sentences with "I love . . ." or "I hate . . .”

> Opinions Language  About 10% speak in judgments, such as should, could, would, ought, and must.  They may start sentences with "In my opinion . . .” or "In my judgment . . .”

> Reflections Language  About 10% don’t talk a lot, but are passive and nebulous when they do.  They may say "Let me reflect on this,” or "In my view . . .”

> Action Language  About 5% use a lot of verbs.  They may say "Cut to the chase,” "Let’s go for it,” "What are we doing,” or "Where are we going.”

The now-available online training plan for Verbal Technical Communication has been updated with this information.