Styles of Interaction

There are four common styles of interaction that we tend to fall into when we communicate with other people.

Four Styles of Interaction

They are patterns of behaviour – physical and verbal – that we display when we interact with other people. The patterns include your tone of voice, your facial expressions, your body language, how fast or slowly you speak, and how fast or slowly you move.

These patterns of external energy are linked to what’s driving our behaviour when we communicate – our inner aims, decision-making style and what we believe is important in a situation.

Here’s a summary of the four styles with their inner drives and external energy:

NAVIGATOR ‘How do we get there?’

Aim is to get a course of action
Makes deliberate decisions to get the desired result
Believes it’s worth the effort to think ahead to reach the goal
Displays focused energy – calm and methodical
Appears reserved and serious

MOBILISER ‘Let’s do it now!’

Aim is to get action with results
Makes quick decisions to get an achievable result
Believes it’s worth the risk to go ahead and act or decide
Displays determined energy – quick-moving and energetic
Appears straightforward and direct

SYNTHESISER 'What result do we need?'

Aim is to get the best result
Makes consultative decisions to get the best result possible
Believes it’s worth the time it takes to integrate many inputs
Displays approachable energy – open and patient
Appears friendly and modest

ENERGISER ‘Let’s do it together!’

Aim is to get involvement
Makes collaborative decisions to get an embraced result
Believes it’s worth the energy spent to involve everyone
Displays engaging energy – involving and enthusiastic
Appears persuasive and expressive

The Mobiliser will push to get a quick and ‘good enough’ result. They’ll want action with results and will use directing language. They’ll feel frustrated if the discussion goes on too long, then they might come across as impatient and demanding.

The Synthesiser will push to find the best possible result. They’ll want to consult to take into account all relevant factors and will use informing language. They’ll feel stressed by lack of time or input, then they might come across as indecisive or unassertive.

The Navigator will push for a course of action to reach the desired outcome. They’ll want a thought-through process and will use directing language. They’ll feel tense if other people move ahead too quickly, then they might come across as pedantic and distant.

The Energiser will push for people to be involved and ‘bought into’ the result. They’ll want a collaborative approach and will use informing language. They’ll feel disheartened if other people are reluctant to get involved, then they might come across as unfocused and flustered.

Why does this matter?

It is difficult to make accurate perceptions of others, to appreciate what might be driving their behaviour, to see things from their perspective. It’s also difficult to be aware of our own impact on others and how to flex our behaviour to get on better with other people

This framework of behaviours gives you the awareness of why these differences occur and what you can do to get on better with all personality types.

If you know how you are coming across to others, you can adapt that if you want to. If you can pick up cues from others about what’s driving their behaviour, you can respond more appropriately.

It’s a recipe for better relationships at work and at home!

You’ll find more information on my Resources Hub.
Watch short explainer videos on this page.
And on this page, you can find

A summary of the four styles
FAQs about Interaction Styles
How this framework maps to the MBTI and other tools.

Want to find out more?

Take my quiz to assess your own style and get a report.

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