“This industry is all about networking. Indeed, some of the most valuable professional connections we make are borne out of networking opportunities, whether that be during a workshop, while we’re queuing for a coffee or catching up in the hotel bar. So when someone asks you what kind of communicator you think you are – a question motivational speaker, Nigel Risner, asked at an ELT marketing conference – it got me thinking. Apparently, everyone falls into one of four 'animal' categories. Monkeys are dynamic, creative and energetic, dolphins supportive and perceptive, elephants capable and analytical, while lions are straight-forward and tenacious. While there may be some sceptics out there, I think he touches on something valid, namely the importance of being aware of our own and each others’ communication styles. This gains even more credence when you consider the international environs we work in.”