Based on the speech patterns described in Table 4.14, do the following for three of these speech patterns:

A. Explain how you use this speech pattern compared to others you know.

B. Evaluate the degree to which you hold task-based versus relationship-based purposes when you use this speech pattern.

C. Describe how others could potentially misinterpret your approach to this speech pattern.

Table 4.14

Speech Patterns More Common among Women Than Men Pattern More Common among Women Than Men Asking Questions Asking lots of questions Apologizing Apologizing often Sharing Credit Giving Feedback Avoiding Verbal Opposition Being Indirect to Subordinates Complimenting Using "we" rather than "I" when talking about accomplishments Mentioning weaknesses only after citing strengths Avoiding directly challenging others' ideas; hedging when stating one's own views Speaking indirectly rather than bluntly when talking to subordinates Showing genuine appreciation for the actions of others Benefits Opening up conversations; giving others a chance to speak; generating knowledge; gaining answers Expressing sympathy for others; smoothing over awkward situations; admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for them Avoiding self-promotion and recognizing the contributions of others; maintaining a team orientation Buffering criticism, maintaining high morale, and showing appreciation Allowing others to state their ideas freely; adopting flexible views of one another's ideas Placing everyone on the same level and not coming across as commanding, domineering, or bossy Maintaining an enjoyable working relationship and showing others they're valued Risks Speaker appears to know less than others Speaker appears to unnecessarily take responsibility or appears to lack authority Speaker doesn't get enough credit for individual accomplishments Person receiving feedback doesn't recognize the importance of improving Others conclude that speaker has weak ideas and lacks confidence Subordinates conclude that manager lacks assertiveness and clear thinking Being known first and foremost as "nice" at the expense of being considered results driven