By Maureen Sullivan, CareerJournal.com

As if a manager's job isn't tough enough, we now often have to do it virtually, that is, by e-mail. Flexible work schedules, globalization, telecommuting and other modern-day work practices make e-mail the medium of choice for communicating managerial messages, agendas and expectations. This means managers need to communicate without the benefit of body language, facial expression, intonation and other nonverbal cues that safeguard against misunderstandings. Add to the mix our tendency to believe that others process information and communicate the way we do, and we're tiptoeing through a communications minefield without interpersonal or emotional Geiger counters to gauge the reactions of our readers.

The good news is that you can improve your e-mail effectiveness by understanding your own communication style as well as those of your subordinates, superiors and peers. Learning to "speak their language" will help you get your message across with accuracy, understanding and unquestioned purity of intention.

The first step is learning to recognize your and others' personality types. Psychologist Carl Jung taught that there are four basic personality types: thinkers, feelers, sensers and intuitors.

Thinkers are those for whom a sense of order, logic and sound reasoning are necessary ingredients to communicating. For the thinker, alternatives are always considered before arriving at a decision. Thinkers take time for reflection and can separate emotion from fact. At their worst, they can come across as unbending, rigid and unfeeling. Their e-mail can be seen by other styles as needlessly lengthy and detailed.

Feelers are the thinkers' psychological opposites. They're people-centered and have a deep sense of loyalty. Feelers care about the way processes are implemented, because they're sensitive to the reactions of others. They're challenged when they're required to implement procedures that have a negative consequence on co-workers and can be seen as too "soft" to make hard decisions. They've been known to forward chain e-mail and inspirational messages.

Sensers are fact-based action people. They need to see legitimate evidence before they make a move. Sensers don't have hunches. "Where's the beef?" and "Show me the money" are phrases that resonate with them. When asked: "When do you need this?" their reply is often: "Yesterday." Sensers can be seen as blunt, insensitive, "bulls in a china shop" and short on patience. They have been known to send e-mail in ALL CAPS.

Intuitors are the psychological opposites of sensers; they frequently see things that others miss. They are "big picture" visionaries who loathe detail. Intuitors believe that others also can see the future and can "connect the dots" in the same way they do. Their leaps of logic in e-mail can cause dizzying reactions from their senser, feeler and thinker colleagues.

While most people incorporate all four styles in varying degrees, one usually predominates. Which best matches your preferred style? Which best matches the styles of your peers, subordinates and superiors? You likely work well

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