This Thursday and Friday, Dr. Melissa Furman, MS, DBA Founder of Career Potential, LLC will host a two-day conference dedicated to enhancing, elevating and accelerating career and leadership for women.
Last week, nearly 100 women got a sneak peek of just one of the components, courtesy of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s monthly, “Women in Business” series, focusing on communication styles.
Nancy Powell, local Augusta Real Estate broker (pictured above in red at front table) took a D-I-S-K assessment questionnaire with other audience members. She learned her personality is a blend of a direct, outgoing influencer, with high expectations, who likes to follow the rules to perfection…yet knows the rules can be different for different clients.
“I have to be sensitive to my audience. I have to take into consideration I deal with clients from other states or countries. Some do Real Estate differently and pay cash for their homes,” she said.
Dr. Furman, a part-time instructor at AU’s Hull College of Business, says many CSRA employees are trying to cope with various world events like Covid, the labor shortage, hurricanes, social Injustice and more. She says it can lead to burn-out and that’s a time when we must be careful with our communication.
“Try and email or text yourself when angry before sending. Don’t be passive aggressive in an email by putting a smiley face and if there are more than three emails in an email chain, pick up the phone,” said the former Assistant Dean at the Hull College of Business.
Another audience member, Grace Helms from SRP Federal Credit Union, scored a “high S” on the disc assessment, which is typically someone who is steady, detail-oriented and careful with their decisions.
“I enjoy listening to Dr. Furman. She is great and makes me think about how I manage relationships,” said the Assistant Vice President of Community Development and Marketing for SRP.
Dr. Furman also advised the audience in how to generally deal with different generations of people.
Someone over 76 is considered a VET (no connection to military intended) who prefers face to face interaction. “Sending a text to them may not fly,” said Dr. Furman.
Baby boomers are the next oldest group and Furman says they are generally okay with any form of communication.
Generation Xer’s are between 40-55. “They can be the hardest to work for or with.” Efficiency and urgency are their “work languages”. Before feeling resentment at their responses, Dr. Furman has simple advice. “Find out what is their preferred way of communicating.”
Generation “Y” (24-39) or “Millennials’” like to communicate via text or social media.
Generation Z was a surprising one for the audience. The 24 and younger set like face to face interaction. Why? Dr. Furman says that many had parents who were members of Generation X. “Some of those parents were workaholics”. Furman theorizes that some of the children felt a bit neglected and enjoy meaningful, in-person relationships.
Dr. Furman recommends that anyone take a DISC Assessment to better communicate with those they work with or for. It helps tailor your discussions.
“I’m in sales. Sometimes I have to be a chameleon,” added Nancy Powell of Powell Property Pros.
Dr. Furman says there are a few seats available for her conference on September 30th and October 1st at the The Crowne Plaza in North Augusta, South Carolina.
For more information, agenda and registration visit www.UNLOCKCAREERPOTENTIAL.COM/TRAINING/WCLDS.
