How to avoid an epic fail: Balance your communication

In some situations, you shine. You’re inspired, confident, and in the groove. Those moments highlight YOU, at your best.

But then, in other situations… well, it’s not so good.

We call this your “Double Trouble” mode.

It is triggered by stress, and it happens to the best of us.

When your communication slides into Double Trouble, you are seen at your worst. Your relationships with clients spoil faster than milk on a hot day. Your co-workers get on your nerves, and vice versa.

In less than 2 minutes, I’ll describe what Double Trouble is, so that you can avoid it and focus on being your most fascinating self.

If a maverick leader works with another maverick leader, it can start to become confusing because there’s so much creativity and this is what’s called a double trouble.

If you look on your Archetype Matrix, you’ll see that there’s a line, a diagonal line that goes down the side here. These are not archetypes, these are modes of communication that happen when a group has too much of one advantage. If a group has too much passion, then the group slides into a mode called the drama, where they’re theatrical, “Oh, my God…” Everything is sensitive, everybody gets too touchy-feely, people get upset, and there are tears and gnashing of teeth.

On the other hand if you have too much achievement… Let’s take a look here at the “Imperial”. If you have too much Prestige then the group becomes arrogant, cold, and superior. The culture becomes brittle and people get demoralized and they quit because they don’t have a quality of life. If you have too much detail orientation and people can’t see the forest for the trees because they’re are so honed in on the minutia, that’s called the control freak… affectionately of course.

You might see yourself, in some areas your advantages helps you succeed, to make more money, and to attract exactly the right type of people into your life, but there are sometimes where you become stressed, or nervous, or hungry, or out of whack. In those cases you’re sliding into your double trouble and you see this happening with your employees. When you have a star employee who starts to fail you can begin to see why, because they’re moving into their double trouble mode and it’s your job to help pull them back.

TWEET THIS:

Could your communication be turning people off? Find out » (Click to tweet)

Your personality has a “Double Trouble.” It’s your disadvantage. Find out yours, here » (Click to tweet)

How do people see you at your worst? (Yikes!) Get the honest truth: » (Click to tweet)

 

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS

We love to experiment! (Blame it on our Innovation Advantage.)

So we’re trying out a new video format: One-Minute Tips. You can view more of them on our YouTube channel.

 

We’d love to get your feedback. What do you think?

Share your opinion in the comments below!

 

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About the author

Sally Hogshead

Sally skyrocketed to the top of the advertising world in her early 20s, fascinating millions of consumers for clients such as MINI Cooper and Coca-Cola. Since then, she’s published two New York Times bestsellers on the science of fascination, and is one of only 172 living members in the Speaker Hall of Fame. Over a million professionals have taken the Fascination Advantage® personality test to discover how others perceive their communication.

26 Comments

  1. Sylvia

    I also prefer to read. Videos are inconvenient and often somewhat inconsiderate/inappropriate in a shared work environment. Text also enables me to revisit the most important aspects rapidly and repeatedly. Karen’s idea of a transcript is a great idea.

  2. KarenBleier

    I still prefer to read. For me, it’s faster, I understand more, and I can read in places where the sound of the video would disturb others, so it’s more convenient. How about a transcript below the video?

  3. Debbie

    I love this video tidbit – it’s a great idea for those who absorb content better this way. I agree with Jen about the chart Where do we find this chart?

    Thanks a million!

  4. Carla

    I’m a huge fan and enjoy the content of the communication I receive from you. And please take this as honest feedback – I didn’t like the subject line of this last blast. “Carla’s epic fail” Ouch. Did it get my attention? Yes, but not for the right reason and it didn’t motivate me to want to read more.

  5. JEN

    I like this idea! Only suggestion I have is to include a link to obtain that chart you’re referring to. I can’t remember if you gave it as a gift or as part of your fasination course, but a link with call to action would be helpful here. 🙂

  6. SusanKaradsheh

    Thank you, Sally. Yes! Rick said it well. Typically those who work in a team are stronger, I’m interested in seeing if you host any events here in the US OR by utilizing your platform to connect those with complimentary personalities!

    Thank you for your extensive research and due diligence. It’s so facinating to review.

  7. VinceFowler

    Spot on Sally. Thank you. I’ve taken your assessment a few times, and have always come up with The Avant Guard. I’ve used the results to my advantage ever since. The clarity your assessment provides is terrific. Keep up the great work.

  8. Alanna

    Love it! These are the great innovations that help me go throughout my day and enjoy a quick tip to rejuvenate and make myself a better, more fascinating person. Looking forward to more of this. Thanks!

  9. PamRothenberger

    Vicki said it very well. Thanks. I’m looking forward to seeing the tips on youtube.

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