The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
EE-CE 3161: Social Issues and Ethics
in Engineering
Interpersonal skills and Personality styles
Credits:
Dr. Nathan Dodge, UTD
The Free Encyclopedia
1
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Today’s Learning Objectives
• Groups formation
• Need for communication and interpersonal
skills
• The different personality styles and
characteristics
2
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Ethics is about considering others
• Communication is a critical interpersonal/soft/people
skill
– Needed to exchange information or call for action
– Our style affects our ability to communicate with peers and
superiors at work,
 Project status to upper management or a customer
 Maybe you want to convince your boss for a promotion
 Present your idea to investors for funding
– and our ability to get along better with friends and family.
3
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Communication
• Communicating
– People communicate differently.
 They have different accents, tone
 They use different body language
 They have different styles (passive, assertive, aggressive)
– Be aware of cultural and personality differences
– Your style may lead you to misinterpret the communications
of others with different styles.
 Maybe we expect others to be like us!
4
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Interpersonal skills
• What are other interpersonal (soft) skills?
– Team building
– Motivating
– Influencing
– Negotiating
– Leading
5
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Interpersonal skills-2
• Team Building
– Working interdependently to achieve a common goal
– Go through different stages (forming, storming, norming, performing)
• Motivating
– Success of a project depends on commitment of team members
 Commitment requires a level of motivation
– Creating an environment to meet objectives while offering a level of satisfaction
related to what the members value (incentives).
• Influencing
– Getting others to cooperate towards a goal
– Leading by example and adjusting to styles of others
6
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Interpersonal skills-3
• Negotiating
– Analyze the situation and focus on interests and issues, not on positions
– Differentiate between wants and needs.
– Be willing to changing your mind
• Leading
– A leader focuses the efforts of the team towards a common goal
 Requires good communication, team building, motivating and influencing
skills
– Leaders may use different decision-making styles
 Command, consultation, consensus and coin flip.
– Must know what, when and to whom to delegate.
7
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Factors influencing behavior
Situation
Background
Your behavior is
affected by
Life cycle
8
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
Personality
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Personality Styles
• We will cover two personality style classifications.
– One simple (4 styles) and one more complex (16 styles)
– The classification may not be absolutely correct
 Not recommended for screening purposes
– There is no BAD style. Every style has strengths and
weaknesses.
– Nature is diverse and everyone has a place and purpose.
• Knowing your personality and that of others will make
teamwork easier.
9
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Personality Styles
•
•
•
•
Driver: logical and assertive doer
Analytical: logical and reserved thinker
Amiable: emotional and reserved supporter
Expressive: emotional and assertive motivator
• As we go over the details of each style,
think about which style best describes you.
10
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Driver (doer)
•
•
•
•
•
Task-focused , want to lead, optimistic
Know what they want and how to get there (Independent)
Get to the point quickly.
Very competitive.
Hardworking and risk taker
• Weaknesses:
– Opinionated, Workaholic
– May seem rude at times
11
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Expressive (motivator or demotivator)
•
•
•
•
•
Verbal
Fun, enthusiastic
Spontaneous, confident
Good communicator,
Can be both competitive and friendly
• Weakness
– Tend to exaggerate facts and leave out details
– Seems like they talk more than do
12
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Analytical (thinker)
•
•
•
•
Highly detail-oriented people.
Logical
Want to analyze and think things over (cautious)
Hard workers but may be slow moving.
• Weakness
– Can have a difficult time making decisions without ALL the facts
– Seem distant at times and may be critical.
13
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Amiable (supporter)
•
•
•
•
Kind-hearted people who love to help. Good team members
Can blend into any situation well. Patient
Can be soft-spoken. Loyal
Easygoing and supportive
• Weakness
– Has difficulty with firm decisions
– Seem dependent
14
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Observable Characteristics
• Analyticals and Drivers show little
emotion, few gestures
• Amiables and expressives show their
emotions and use more gestures
• Analytical-Expressive and AmiableDriver are opposite pairs.
- They need to work harder at
communicating with each other.
15
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
You may exhibit all styles
• A person may exhibit different styles but will revert to the
primary style in a stressful situation.
– An analytical withdraws
– A driver takes control
– An expressive seeks to take control
– An amiable seeks input and consensus.
• If the pressure intensifies, everyone may go through all styles.
16
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Myers Briggs Personality Styles
• Uses four scales (energy, information, decisions and
tasks) with two types per scale.
• Measure of preferences. It is not a measure of IQ,
mental health, maturity or “Normalcy”
17
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Myers Briggs Personality Test
Extroversion
Where do you get energy?
Introversion
Sensing
Processing of information
INtuition
Thinking
How do you make decisions Feeling
Judgment
How to deal with tasks
18
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
Perception
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Extroversion and Introversion (energy)
Extrovert
Introvert
Energized by being with others
Thinks out loud
Multiple relationships
Seeks spotlight
19
Energized by being alone
Reflective
Few relationships
Seeks quiet for
concentration
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Sensing and Intuition (Information)
20
Sensing
INtuition
Facts
Detail
Realistic
Practical
Meanings
Big picture
Imaginative
Conceptual
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Thinking versus Feeling (Decisions)
21
Thinking
Feeling
Logical
Objective
Criteria
Head
Emotional
Personal
Circumstances
Heart
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Judging versus Perceiving (Dealing
with tasks)
Judging
Perceiving
Decisive
Plan ahead
Want routine
Finish task before deadline
Flexible
Adapt as you go
Want variety
Finish at the deadline
22
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Communicating with other styles
• Driver: Show them the goal and how to achieve it. Be
concise. Do not make decisions for them.
• Analytical: Give a lot of data and facts. Give them time to
decide.
• Expressive: Establish relationship. Deal with the big picture.
Praise them. Do not talk down to them.
• Amiable: Show appreciation. Do not be demanding. Seek their
opinion and support.
23
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner
The University of Texas at Dallas
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and
Computer Science
Questions?
• Knowing your style and interpersonal skills
– Helps in your personal and professional life.
• Exchange contact information and set some rules and expectations about
team dynamics and collaboration on team activities.
24
Interpersonal Skills and Personality Styles
R. Mezenner