There is a reason why Process Communication Model is called… “Process”. Because Process is a key ingredient in the recipe for making effective communication. Connection is where communication begins and has an impact upon communication, motivation and stress management. This means that the way we connect with others and offer motivation to them is through a simple process, which, if followed step by step will lead to great results. It’s the Connection Process.
It is simple, but it also requires a good deal of observation and practice to strengthen and apply in our day to day life. The good news is that it’s all worth it when we reap the rewards of improved relationships and diminished stress.
Following my last blog post, some of you wanted to know more details about how can we connect with those around us. And especially, with those we perceive as “not so easy to connect with”.
For the purpose of today’s article, I will remind you about the concept of Base Personality. I will then describe the six Perceptions that are mutually exclusive to each of the six Personality Types. On the next blog I will link Perceptions to the concept of Channels of Communication.
Just a hint: by using the right Channel of Communication + the right Perception, we can connect easier and more efficiently with others. And then we see the magic at work!
The Base Personality
The ground floor in our Personality Condominium, called the Base is the strongest, most highly developed personality type in us. It is the Personality Type that governs our preffered way to open communication.
Being able to identify another’s Base helps us to use the most effective communication channel and perception to connect with that person. In other words, when we open communication with others, we select the communication style that they are most “tuned in to” i.e. that of their Base.
According to PCM, the Base Personality defines the filter through which we perceive life and the things we value (perceptual frame of reference), the “currency” we use most often in our communication, the most preferred communication channels, the words and the manner we use to communicate.
The base personality is also the one that defines our character strengths, the management style we prefer, the type of environment that is most comfortable for us and also, how we react to the day-to-day stress of miscommunication (low-level of stress, to which we can be exposed even hundreds of times per day, most of the time without even realising it).
The Base will remain the same throughout all our life.
A quick reminder of the six types and their specific traits, perceptions and currency, as well as specific strengths can be found in the image below. You can read more about the PCM personality types HERE:
With regard to our subject today, connecting with others, PCM teaches us that the best way to connect, is to use their favourite Perception and Communication Channel.
So, what are Perceptions?
According to the father of PCM, Dr. Taibi Kahler, our perceptions refer to how a person views, experiences, and processes the world through six, mutually exclusive filters, which he called Perceptions.
There are Six Perceptions, connected with the Six Personality Types in our Condominium. Our strongest perceptions are those of our Base Personality.
1. Thoughts for Thinker Base:
If your Base Personality is Thinker, you value facts and view the world by identifying and categorising people and things; data and information are important for you.
THOUGHTS – are your main perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying many words like: “I think” “What options?” “Does that mean?” “Who?” “What?” “When?” “Where?” “facts” “information” “data” “time frames” “plans” “structure” “analysis”.
Your focus in conversation (your “Currency”) is Logic.
2. Opinions for Persister Base
If your Base Personality is Persister, you value trust and view the world by evaluating people and situations through a belief system. You prize loyalty and commitment.
OPINIONS – are your main perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying things like: “In my opinion” “We should” “I believe” “respect” “values” “admiration” “commitment” “dedication” “trust”.
Your Currency (focus in communication) is represented by Values.
3. Emotions for Harmoniser Base
If your Base Personality is Harmoniser, you value relationships and view the world by feeling about people and situations. Family and friendship are of high importance in your life.
EMOTIONS – are your perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying words like: “I feel” “I’m comfortable with” “I care” “happy” “sad” “I love” “close”.
Your Currency is Compassion.
4. Inactions for Imaginer Base
If your Base Personality is Imaginer, you value being provided with direction and will view the world by reflecting about what is happening. Your privacy and your own space are very important to you.
INACTION – is your perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying words like: “I need time to reflect” “Wait for more direction” “Hold back” “Easy pace” “Own space” “Don’t want to rock the boat”.
Your Currency is Imagination.
5. Reactions (Likes & Dislikes) for Rebel Base
If your Base Personality is Rebel, you value fun and view the world by reacting to people and situations with likes / dislikes. You prize spontaneity and creativity.
Reactions (Likes and Dislikes) are your perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying words like: “Wow” “I like” “I don’t like” “I hate” “I don’t want” and you’ll use and create fun expressions and slang phrases.
Your Currency is Humour.
6. Actions for Promoter Base
If your Base Personality is Promoter, you value initiative and view the world by experiencing situations and making things happen. You prize adaptability and self-sufficiency.
ACTIONS – represent your perception, and this is why you’ll be heard saying words like: “The bottom line” “best shot” “make it happen” “Go for it” “Enough talk”.
Your Currency is Charm.
Knowing how to recognise the perceptual language someone uses represents a third of the process of connecting with them. The second part is “activating” the correct Channel of Communication and the third is… using Channel and Perception together.
I invite you to read more about the Channels of Communication and how to use the process of connecting with others in my next blog.
Until then: stay happy, stay safe, stay healthy!
Magda.
Copyright Information: Dr. Taibi Kahler holds the copyright for The Process Communication Model® and all derivative works.
