Influencing a Conscientious Communicator
Do you work with someone who is precise and analytical? Maybe they’re cautious, reserved, risk-averse, or closed in social or unfamiliar situations. They probably have high standards and a preference for structure, process, and rules.
Chances are good they’re a Conscientious (C Style) Communicator, to use the language of the DiSC Personality Model, and by understanding their driving needs, you can influence them.
Whether they know it or not, many C Style communicators are concerned with:
Safety and Security – They strive to reduce unknowns, identify potential risks, and create an environment where they feel in control of all variables. They seek clear rules and prefer to anticipate disruptions well in advance to maintain their sense of order and security.
Being Beyond Reproach – A deep need to ensure their actions are justifiable and above criticism. C Style individuals work diligently to avoid blame and mistakes, as being responsible for errors is particularly distressing to them. They aim to maintain credibility and avoid situations where they could be seen as flawed or at fault. (I triple-check my emails).
Control (of their own fate) – While not necessarily controlling others, they have a strong desire to control factors that impact their success and well-being. They prefer relying on their expertise rather than depending on others, which drives them to develop deep knowledge and mastery in their chosen areas to mitigate uncertainty.
Here are three strategies to connect, motivate, delegate, give feedback, and otherwise influence your C Style colleagues, by meeting their needs:
Provide Detailed and Logical Justifications - C Style individuals value accuracy and the complete picture. If they can see that you've thought through details and minimized uncertainty, they'll be more receptive to your proposal.
Allow Time for Independent Analysis - They probably prefer to control their own work environment and avoid rushed decisions. Giving them time to think and process builds trust and increases their confidence in delivering high-quality results. Send that agenda in advance. Get them the background materials so they can get their head around the entire problem before you ask their opinion.
Frame Feedback in Terms of Accuracy and Improvement (without calling out their expertise) - C Style individuals fear being wrong and highly value their credibility. Keep to the facts, such as: “When you did _____, the impact on the team/project was ________, next time would you please __________?” Keep emotion and judgmental language out of it.
There’s a lot more to understanding and influencing the C Style. If you want to learn more, check out our 4 Communication Styles page or ask our C Style AI Practice Chatbot.
