Communication Playbook — Flexing Your Style
A quick‑hit deck that turns the full Communication Playbook into bite‑size Q‑and‑A. Review each card to sharpen your ability to read a situation, pick the right communication style, and deploy proven boosters and phrases.
1. What is the core idea of the Communication Playbook?
Great communicators adapt their style to fit the context, rather than using a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
2. Name the five *scenario factors* that guide style selection.
- Goal (inform, persuade, motivate, resolve conflict)
- Audience (role, relationship, preferences, culture)
- Stakes (high‑ vs low‑risk consequences)
- Time Pressure (urgent vs ample time)
- Power Balance & Emotion (hierarchy, defensiveness, excitement)
3. If time is extremely limited, which high‑level factor becomes the priority?
Time Pressure → choose a concise, directive style (e.g., briefing/BLUF).
4. Define **assertive communication** in one sentence.
Clear, direct, respectful expression of needs/opinions that protects both your rights and the other person’s.
5. Key tip to keep assertiveness from sliding into aggression?
Use calm tone & open body language; frame with “I” statements rather than blame.
6. What three rhetorical elements power **persuasive communication**?
Logos (logic/data), Ethos (credibility), and Pathos (emotion/values).
7. Coaching style hinges on what core tactic?
Socratic, open‑ended questions that guide the other person to discover their own solution.
8. How does **mentoring** differ from coaching?
Mentoring shares personal experience & advice for long‑term growth; coaching focuses on asking, not telling, in the short term.
9. State the three steps of the **SBI feedback model**.
Situation – Behavior – Impact (optionally Intent & improvement planning).
10. First sentence pattern for **Non‑Violent Communication (NVC)**?
“When I observe ___, I feel ___ because I need ___. Would you be willing to ___?”
11. Why is **storytelling** so sticky for audiences?
It engages multiple brain areas and releases oxytocin/dopamine, boosting memory and trust.
12. Describe a classic **briefing/BLUF** opening.
Bottom Line Up Front: state the conclusion/request first, then supply concise supporting facts.
13. What is ‘firm flexibility’ in a negotiation?
Being firm on core needs while flexible on how they’re met to reach win‑win outcomes.
14. Project kick‑off: which style blend works best?
Storytelling to inspire + assertive briefing to nail goals, roles, next steps.
15. Common pitfall during a project kick‑off?
Too much story with no concrete plan or pure directive talk that feels uninspiring.
16. Best style combo for routine 1‑on‑1 performance feedback?
SBI constructive feedback followed by coaching questions.
17. High‑stakes crisis communication demands what style first?
Direct briefing/BLUF for clarity, paired with empathy to steady emotions.
18. In a design‑review dispute, which three techniques defuse defensiveness?
Empathic listening, Socratic inquiry, then collaborative negotiation.
19. Team brainstorming facilitation relies on which style element?
Positive, coaching facilitation that encourages all voices and defers judgment.
20. Why must executive briefings start with an assertive summary?
Senior leaders have little time; a crisp headline shows respect and cues relevance.
21. Difficult personal conversations benefit most from which framework?
Non‑Violent Communication plus deep empathy/validation.
22. Key watch‑out in salary or contract negotiations?
Slipping into win‑lose positional bargaining; reframe around mutual interests.
23. How does **first‑principles reasoning** clarify muddy debates?
By stripping issues to basic truths before rebuilding the argument, cutting assumptions.
24. Give an example **Socratic question** starter.
“What factors led us to that conclusion?”
25. When would you sketch a quick **decision tree** in conversation?
When multiple conditional paths exist and people need a shared mental model of options.
26. Systems‑thinking prompt to zoom out?
“How does this choice impact upstream teams and downstream customers?”
27. Explain ‘image thinking’ in one line.
Using visuals/metaphors to turn abstractions into concrete, memorable pictures.
28. What does the **Feynman technique** test?
Whether you (or they) truly understand by explaining the concept in plain language.
29. SBI sample opener for phone‑checking in a meeting.
“When we met with the client yesterday, I noticed you checked your phone twice. It made them look uncomfortable.”
30. SCQA stands for…?
Situation → Complication → Question → Answer.
31. Quick verbal framework that mirrors SCQA for spoken updates.
“What? So What? Now What?”
32. Purpose of running a **RACI lens** during role confusion?
Clarifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, preventing overlap.
33. Phrase that reinforces **psychological safety** when someone shares a dissenting view.
“Thanks for bringing that up — let’s explore it.”
34. Polite ‘reset’ line when voices start to rise.
“Let’s pause a second. What does success look like for each of us?”
35. Empathetic **emotion‑labeling** example for an overwhelmed teammate.
“It sounds like you’re feeling stretched thin and worried about quality.”
36. High stakes + low trust → which two style elements first?
Listening & empathy before asserting solutions.
37. Low stakes + clear hierarchy → simplest effective style?
Assertive or briefing may be sufficient.
38. Goal = persuade; audience loves data. What style accent should you add?
A persuasive brief anchored in logos (compelling evidence).
39. Time‑boxed stand‑up with peers: which factor and style dominate?
Time pressure dominates → use a concise briefing format.
40. Power imbalance where you’re the junior partner. Key tone to adopt?
Respectful persuasion: assert needs clearly but with deference to relationship.
41. Signal you may need to switch styles mid‑conversation?
Rising defensiveness, confusion, or blank stares from the audience.
42. Daily habit to build adaptive communication muscles?
After each major conversation, reflect: Did my style fit the scenario factors? What will I adjust next time?
43. One book that deep dives on high‑stakes dialogue skills?
Crucial Conversations by Patterson et al.
44. Researcher whose work underpins psychological safety?
Amy Edmondson.
45. Leadership scholar who links flexible style to outstanding results?
Daniel Goleman (Emotional Intelligence).