HOW WILL YOU KNOW A STYLE WHEN YOU SEE ONE? PT 1

Dominance – High "D" Style – Director – Eagle AT THE OFFICE

When entering Dominant Styles' offices, look around. The overall tone suggests authority and control. Their desks may be covered with projects and papers, stacked in neat piles. Both their in- and out-baskets typically bulge with busywork. They tend to surround themselves with trophies, awards, and other evidence of personal achievement. Virtually everything about the place suggests hustle, bustle, formality, and power. This type is the one that often favors a large chair behind a massive authority structure known as a power desk. Besides non-verbally announcing, "I'm important," the desk separates them from visitors, literally keeping them at a distance.

NOTICE THE WALLS

The walls may include diplomas, commendations, and other evidence of success. One wall may have a large planning sheet or calendar on it… the better to juggle with, my dear. If Dominant Styles have family photos, they may hang behind them or someplace where they don't readily see them. To this type, their offices are places of business and the fewer distractions they have, the better.

HUSTLE, BUSTLE, AND BUSYWORK

Dominant Styles like constant activity, so you'll seldom catch them idle. Between existing tasks, they pick up new ones. They perk up when competing and appear to thrive with a pressure cooker schedule. They often squeeze you onto their calendars and let you know that their time is limited, either by telling you outright or by showing you. Looking at a watch or clock, they frequently shift their gaze elsewhere, or make and take phone calls while you sit in their office. They walk fast in pursuit of a tangible goal, so Dominant Styles may not notice people around them or may just hurriedly grunt something to acknowledge them. They often act both brisk and brusque without realizing it. When under stress, impatience emerges and they may push others aside to reach their goal - completing a report, getting served first, or running out the door to make an appointment. When pressure intensifies, Dominant Styles often rise to the occasion. Under time constraints, they may concede to impatience and rely on educated guesses, even their own hunches.

POWER SYMBOLS

Dominant Styles tend to dress comfortably and typically pay less attention to their appearance than the other types. They may program themselves primarily for work results, so wardrobe tends to play a secondary role in most fields of work. They may be candidates for a time-saving personal shopper or tailor who can choose or measure outfits for them in the privacy of their own offices. Dominant Styles gravitate toward authority symbols, so they may wear navy blue or charcoal gray power suits. Dominant Styles may like to let people know they've made it without having to tell anyone about it, so they often prefer possessions that emit success and authority messages - like a black or steel gray Mercedes or BMW. Someone once suggested they'd buy a Sherman tank, if they could. Influence – High "I" Style – Socializer – Parrot

AT THE OFFICE

When you enter the working area of an Interactive Style, look around his office. What does it look like? Even if you've never been to this type's office before, you may recognize it from across the room. Remember Oscar Madison? He and other high Interactive Styles may strew paperwork across their desks, sometimes trailing it along the floor, too. They react to visual stimuli, so they like to have everything where they can see it. Consequently, their desks often look cluttered and disorganized. If anyone comments, "How do you find anything?" they like to say that they're organized in their disorganization.

AND THE WALLS?

An Interactive Style's walls may sport prestigious awards. They may be broad, liberal arts degrees, motivational or upbeat slogans, generalized personal comments, or stimulating posters. You may see notes posted and taped all over the place with little apparent forethought, rhyme, or reason. Overall decor reflects an open, airy, lively atmosphere that often reveals the personality of its occupant. Likewise, the furniture arrangement tends to indicate warmth, openness, and contact. An Interactive Style seldom sits behind a desk when he talks. He often opts for comfortable, accessible seating, enabling him to meet his goal of getting to know people better. He prefers to sit next to us at a table or on a couch so he can see and hear us better and get a feel for how we respond to him. He talks a lot and shows emotion with both his body language and speech.

FEELINGS TAKE PRIORITY

Interactive Styles have a natural preference for talking and listening in feeling terms. Unconsciously, they may become uncomfortable when talking to a person who, instead, uses thinking words. (The opposite also is true). Statements like, "I feel that we should have been consulted about moving our office," or, "I feel good about what we've accomplished today," tend to put this people-oriented type more at ease.

THEY LIKE GLITZ AND PIZZAZZ!

The way Interactive Styles dress often relates to their need for recognition. Since they like others to notice them, they may dress in the latest style. Look at me Interactive Styles like bright colors and unusual clothes that prompt others to compliment them. Many Interactive Styles even prefer negative comments to none at all. "Are you dressed for Halloween today, Rhonda?" At least she's getting the attention she craves. In an informal poll taken by Tony at his many seminars, red ranks number one with Interactive Styles as their color choice for clothes or for a sports car or convertible. They like glamour, flash, and excitement… and their purchases often express their preferences. Musical choices even include energizing songs like Celebration or Fame.