I took a 10-minute test to figure out how to get what I want and found I was completely lacking in one crucial area

Lauren Lyons Cole

Everyone wants to be able to get what they want.

• I took a quick online test to determine my style when it comes to influencing people.

• The assessment breaks down five different styles people tend to use to get what they want.

• I learned that it's best to be flexible and put different methods to use, depending on the situation.

Everyone wants to be able to get what they want.

Some of us just aren't very good about doing it.

I recently took a ten-minute test from assessment firm Multi-Health Systems to identify the styles I use to influence people and get stuff done.

The online test featured a number of repetitive questions about my preferences when it comes to working with and influencing others. Each question provided you with two choices - for example, "I present rational arguments" and " I make concessions to get something that is really important to me." All you had to do was select the one that sounded most like you.

Then I met with clinical psychologist Dr. Steven Stein, author of "The EQ Leader" and CEO of Multi-Health Systems, to go over my results.

Here's what I found out: