The same techniques you used earlier to identify and match the communication style of an interviewer will also work in managing employees and in interacting with your superiors and peers. Read over what you've read about the various communication styles-High D, High I, High S and High C-and begin applying this on the job. You don't just manage and encourage people down. You can manage and encourage up, and laterally as well.
Remember that most people have two main communications styles: the one they use in a favorable environment, and one they use in an unfavorable environment. As you get to know the other executives/professionals and your subordinates better, and have an opportunity to see them in both favorable and unfavorable environments, you will begin to see them as whole people. You'll have a better picture of their total communications style, the highs and lows as well as their strengths and weaknesses. By remaining alert and adjusting only those aspects of your personal and managerial style that will impact most on a particular individual, you'll be able to communicate better and more productively, develop your subordinates better and get the work done. You may find it helpful to keep notes about each individual's probable style, to "red flag" potential conflict areas and to plan ways to modify the way you work or manage each.
What Have You Accomplished?
If you got this far in the article, you should be employed in a position that will give you satisfaction, while at the same time provide financial rewards-or you are at least well on your way with your search. Let's hope that you haven't just given in and "settled" for work that will merely keep you busy.
You should also have learned a new set of coping and management skills. And you should have learned a lot more about yourself through your job search process. Your depression (if you were depressed) should be gone. It usually disappears just about the time you begin working, although you may still experience anxiety from time to time.
Much about your life should be in better shape than it was before you became unemployed. Above all, you should feel better about your age. Being an older employed executive feels a whole lot better than being an older unemployed executive!
Making the Decision
You have to fish or cut bait. Do you take the job or don't you? If the offer is mediocre and you have other activity going on, you can probably take the risk and turn the offer down.
But if you've been out of work a long time, you'll be tempted to accept. Hold off a few days if you can before you give your final acceptance. You want to be as sure as you can. Don't let your panic about the need to work push you into a rash decision. You can end up in a trap, and in a job no better than what you left.
Involving your family in the decision. When the job offer requires relocation or a change in life style, working hours or anything which will impact upon your family life, involve your family in the decisions. This is an absolute essential if your spouse works. The decision must be a joint one. If you must move to accept the job, has provision been made for relocating your spouse and helping him or her find adequate employment? Discuss the pros and cons of the offer with every member of the family, and consider how each might be affected. Consider carefully the personal ramifications of the change. Are the advantages of the offer worth the upheaval? Or are the opportunities and changes so attractive that everyone looks forward to the move?
Family members can also help when the decision is difficult even when no move is contemplated. Should you hold out longer? Are they willing to continue making the sacrifices they've been making? Having an opportunity to be in on the decision is important to family members.
Notifying the interviewing company of the decision. After you've made your decision, notify each company you were considering and tell them what you've decided to do. If you're turning down their offer, do it tactfully. Tell them that you were impressed with their company and with their offer. You're sorry, but another company's offer was more attractive (or offered you more opportunity for growth, or didn't require that you relocate).
Finally, notify your friends that you're starting work. Thank again the people who helped you with your campaign.