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Communicating Across Different DNA Styles: Community Builders Working With Initiators And Strategists

This article applies to Community Builders and other relational styles who need to communicate effectively with results-driven styles like Initiators and Strategists.

 
Community Builders are naturally relational, collaborative, and thoughtful communicators who excel at building connections and fostering teamwork. However, when communicating with Initiators, Strategists, and other "Take Charge" communicators, style differences can create friction. This guide provides practical strategies for Community Builders to flex their communication style while honoring their natural strengths, ensuring productive conversations across behavioral differences.

Understanding the Community Builder Profile

Core Traits:

  • Relationally oriented – Invests deeply in building and maintaining relationships
  • Great listener – Naturally attuned to others' needs and emotions
  • Careful and thoughtful – Takes time to consider before speaking or deciding
  • Innovative – Likes to differentiate and approach things in unique ways
  • Flexible – Adaptable in approach with a bent toward promoting and connecting people
  • Non-confrontational – Approachable and creates safe spaces for others

Natural Communication Strengths:

  • Good listeners who offer helpful encouragement
  • Thoughtful and understanding in their approach
  • Non-threatening and approachable demeanor
  • Strong at connecting people and building consensus

Communication Challenges with Fast-Paced Styles:

  • May struggle with assertiveness when needs aren't being addressed
  • Can be overwhelmed by highly strategic, outgoing, or influential communicators
  • Tends toward less focused, more relational communication patterns
  • May need more input from others to feel confident in decisions

When Community Builders Meet Initiators/Strategists

When a Community Builder (like Kathy in our example) communicates with an Initiator or Strategist (like Stan), they may have as little as a 20% behavioral match. This significant difference requires intentional adaptation—but not personality change.
 

Key Differences to Understand:

Community Builder Initiator/Strategist
Relationship-first Results-first
Exploratory, narrative style Precise, bullet-point style
Seeks consensus and input Makes quick, decisive choices
Flexible and accommodating Structured and goal-oriented
Careful and measured Fast-paced and direct

Flexing Your Style: Practical Strategies

1. Speed Up and Focus

What to Do:
  • Prepare your key points in advance—limit yourself to 2-3 main items
  • Start with the conclusion or decision needed, then provide context if asked
  • Use bullet points and quick summaries rather than narrative explanations
Example Script:
"Here are the three things you need to know: [Point 1], [Point 2], [Point 3]. I need a decision on [specific item] by [timeframe]."

2. Be Precise and Direct

What to Do:
  • Remove filler words and tangential stories from your initial communication
  • State exactly what you need from them—decision, action, or input
  • Provide clear options when asking for decisions
What to Avoid:
  • Lengthy preambles about how you arrived at this point
  • Asking for general thoughts without framing the decision
  • Over-explaining or justifying before making your request

3. Frame for Results

What to Do:
  • Connect your request to outcomes and goals they care about
  • Show how the relationship or team benefit serves the bottom line
  • Be ready to move quickly once you have their attention
Remember: There's nothing "broken" about your natural style—Initiators and Strategists simply process information differently. Your relational insight is valuable; package it in a format they can quickly consume.

The Five Communication Keys in Action

Apply these DNA Behavior communication fundamentals when bridging styles:
  1. Know Me, Know You – Acknowledge the ~20% match upfront. Understanding the difference makes it less personal when communication styles clash.
  2. Meet in the Middle – You don't need to become an Initiator, but you do need to meet them closer to their preferred style than your natural comfort zone.
  3. Focus on Outcomes – Lead with what needs to happen, not the relationship journey to get there.
  4. Provide Options – Take Charge communicators like adding to options and setting direction. Present 2-3 viable paths forward.
  1. Respect the Differences – Your careful, relational approach balances their fast-paced decisiveness. Both styles are strengths—neither is "fixed."

Coaching Questions for Community Builders

Use these reflection questions to build confidence in cross-style communication:
  • Describe a time when a decision you made put you at odds with a results-driven colleague. How did you adapt your communication afterward?
  • What would you do to moderate your natural communication style when working with a fast-paced, strategic thinker?
  • How can you maintain your relational authenticity while becoming more precise and focused in high-stakes conversations?
  • What "formula" can you develop to analyze problems quickly and present solutions to decision-oriented colleagues?

Summary

Community Builders bring invaluable relational intelligence to any team. When communicating with Initiators, Strategists, and other Take Charge styles, the key is flexing without faking. You don't need to abandon your natural strengths—you need to translate them into a language results-driven colleagues can quickly understand and act upon.
 
By focusing on 2-3 key points, being precise and direct, and framing requests around outcomes, you can maintain your authentic relational approach while ensuring your message lands effectively.
 
Remember: All behavioral styles are strengths. The goal isn't to "fix" your communication style but to expand your range so you can connect effectively with anyone.