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I was once sent to a training where they suggested we consider that people interact in four specific different ways and tailor interactions based on the recipient. It has seemed useful in future interactions to have a few more examples to draw from than generic "tailor your pitch" advice, but it's also somewhat concerning when I think about it because it's company training which is basically encouraging you to assume, bucket and stereotype.

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I've had multiple versions of training like that and I found it really useful. It definitely helps me as a technical manager. A good instructor will tell you that you only start with stereotypes when you have no better information. e.g., "engineers usually like it when you talk to them this way." But if you know that Sally hates it, then you don't do that, you do this instead...

I think that training like this is especially good for engineers because we tend to have a fixed way of interacting with people and often don't notice when it doesn't work. Being taught specific ways to recognize that and tailor your approach is very useful.

This actually is exactly one of those things that can't be taught by an app. Only a real person will say "your tone is off-putting, try saying it this way..."

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