CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING MANUAL

Whats My Customer Service Style?

Consider each of the following questions separately and circle the one letter (a, b, c, or d) that corresponds to the description that
best fits you. If you have trouble selecting only one answer, ask yourself which response, at work, would be the most natural or
likely for you to make. There are no right answers to these questions, so base your response on how you are today, not how you
think you should be or would like to be in the future.
1. When talking to a customer or co-worker
a) I maintain eye contact the whole time. 11. When I want to get my point across to customers or co-
b) I alternate between looking at the person and looking down. workers
c) I look around the room a good deal of the time. a) I listen to their point and then express my ideas gently.
d) I try to maintain eye contact but look away fr om time to time. b) I strongly state my opinion so that they know where I stand.
c) I try to persuade them without being too forceful.
2. If I have an important decision to make d) I explai n the logic behind what I am saying.
a) I think it through completely before deciding.
b) I go with my gut instincts. 12. When I am late for a meeting or appointment
c) I first consider the impact it will have on other people a) I dont panic but call ahead to say that I will be few minutes
d) I run it by someone whose opinion I respect before deciding. late.
b) I feel bade about keeping the other person waiting.
3. My office or work area mostly has c) I get upset and rush to get there was soon as possible.
a) Family photos and sentimental items displayed. d) I apologize profusely once I arrive.
b) Inspirational posters, awards, and art displayed.
c) Graphs and charts displayed. 13. I set goals and objectives at work that
d) Calendars and project outlines displayed. a) I think I can realistically attain.
b) I feel are challenging and would be exciting to achieve.
4. If I am having a conflict with a co-worker or custom er
c) I need to achieve as part of a bigger objective.
a) I try to help the situation along by focusing on the positive.
d) Will make me feel good when I achieve them.
b) I stay calm and try to understand the cause of the conflict.
c) I try to avoid discussing the issue causing the conflict.
d) I confront it right away so that it can get resolved quickly 14. When explaining a problem to a co-worker whom I need help
from
a) I explain the problem in as much detail as possible.
5. When I talk on the phone at work
b) I sometimes exaggerate to make my point.
a) I keep the conversation focused on the purpose of the call.
c) I try to explain how the problem makes me feel.
b) I spend a few minutes chatting before talking business.
c) I am in no hurry and dont mind chatting about personal things, the d) I explain how I would like the problem to be solved.
weather, and so on.
15. If customers or co-workers are late for a meeting with me in
d) I try to keep the conversation as brief as possible. my office
6. If a co-worker is upset a) I keep myself busy by making phone calls work working
a) I ask if I can do anything to help. until they arrive.
b) I leave him alone; I dont want to intrude on his privacy. b) I assume they are delayed a bit and dont get upset.
c) I try to cheer him up and help him to see the bright side. c) I call to make sure that I have the correct information (date,
d) I feel uncomfortable and hope he gets over it soon. time, and so on).
d) I get upset that the person is wasting my time.
7. When I attend meetings at work
a) I sit back and think about what is being said before offering my 16. When I am behind on a project and feel pressure to get it done
opinion. a) I make a list of everything I need to do, in what order, by
b) I put all my cards on the table so my opinion is well known. when.
c) I express my opinion enthusiastically, but listen to others ideas as b) I block out everything else and focus 100 percent on the
well. work I need to do.
d) I try to support the ideas of the other people in the meeting. c) I become anxious and have a hard time focusing on my
work.
8. When I make a presentation in front of a group d) I set a date to get the project done by and go for it.
a) I am entertaining and often humorous
b) I am clear and concise. 17. When I feel verbally attacked by a customer or a co-worker
c) I speak relatively quietly. a) I tell her to stop it.
d) I am direct, specific, and sometimes loud. b) I feel hurt but usually dont say anything about it to her.
c) I ignore her anger and try to focus on the facts of the
9. When a customer is explaining a problem to me situation.
a) I try to understand and empathize with how she is feeling. d) I let her know in strong terms that I dont like her behavior.
b) I look for specific facts pertaining to the situation.
c) I listen carefully so that I can find a solution. 18. When I see a co-worker or customer whom I like and havent
d) I use my body language and tone of voice to show I understand. seen recently
a) I give him a friendly hug.
10. When I attend training programs or presentations b) I greet him but dont shake his hand.
a) I get bored if the person moves too slowly. c) I give him a firm but quick handshake.
b) I am supportive of the speaker, knowing how hard the job is. d) I give him an enthusiastic handshake that lasts a few
c) I want it to be entertaining as well as informative. moments.
d) I look of the logic behind what the speaker is saying.

Work performed by the Academy for Educational Development under sponsorship of the United States Agency for 11
International Development (USAID) Contract Number: LAG -I-00-98-00011-00, Task Order Number: 804
 CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING MANUAL

1 6 11 16
a) Driver a) Amiable a) Amiable a) Analytical
b) Amiable b) Analytical b) Driver b) Driver
c) Analytical c) Expressive c) Expressive c) Amiable
d) Expressive a) Driver d) Analytical d) Expressive

2 7 12 17
a) Analytical b) Analytical a) Analytical a) Driver
b) Driver c) Driver b) Amiable b) Amiable
c) Amiable d) Expressive c) Driver c) Analytical
d) Expressive e) Amiable d) Expressive d) Expressive

3 8 13 18
a) Amiable a) Expressive a) Analytical a) Amiable Total Driver Score _______
b) Expressive b) Analytical b) Expressive b) Analytical Total Analytical Score _______
c) Analytical c) Amiable c) Driver c) Driver Total Amiable Score _______
d) Driver d) Driver d) Amiable d) Expressive
Total Expressive Score _______
4 9 14
a) Expressive a) Amiable a) Analytical
b) Amiable b) Analytical b) Expressive
c) Analytical c) Driver c) Amiable
d) Driver d) Expressive d) Driver
5 10 15
a) Driver a) Driver a) Expressive
b) Expressive b) Amiable b) Amiable
c) Amiable c) Expressive c) Analytical
d) Analytical d) Analytical e) Driver

Working Styles Grid

Analytical Driver
Less
Less Responsive More
Assertive & Assertive &
Less Less
Responsive Responsive
Albert Einstein Ted Turner
Albert Einstein

Less Assertive More Assertive

Amiable Expressive

Less Assertive More Assertive

& More & More
Responsive Responsive
Mary Tyler More
Moore Responsive Bill Cosby

Work performed by the Academy for Educational Development under sponsorship of the United States Agency for 12
International Development (USAID) Contract Number: LAG-I-00-98-00011-00, Task Order Number: 804