What does communication style mean to you

In day-to-day operations, this is not a style that will endear someone to their colleagues, and it is advised that this style is avoided in most cases. This type of communication is also known as the submissive communication style. Another way of describing it is the "people-pleaser" type. Passive communicators tend to step back and let other, more assertive or aggressive, people lead the way.

They can find it difficult to effectively express themselves, and want to avoid confrontation at all costs. This can directly lead to their good ideas never being heard, or for miscommunications to come up. In business, this style of communication can be used in reaction to aggressive communication, especially when handling a client or other person with whom other styles of communication are not working.

However, within a team or department, managers should work to help passive communicators access a more assertive style, so their valuable insights and ideas do not get passed over.

This style of communication, like the name suggests, combines aspects of both passive and aggressive communication styles. Outwardly, the communicator seems sweet and easy-going, but they are operating from a place of anger and resentment. This bubbles up and can be shown through using sarcasm, being patronizing, starting rumors, or gossiping. Their frustration comes out through these indirect routes, but they will have the same effect as someone who is straightforwardly aggressive; colleagues will not want to work with them.

This style tends to be very toxic in the workplace, spreading discontent and resentment throughout the team or department. There are no times that this style of communication is appropriate in a business setting. If there are communicators in your organization that default to this style, it is key that they are helped to readjust to a less disruptive style. This style of communication uses cunning, deceit and influence to control the outcome of the conversation, and thus the actions of the people around them.

Manipulative communicators rarely say what they mean, instead they will bury their real goals within layers of obfuscation to get their way without the other person even realizing it. This style is often characterized as insincere and patronizing, and when people realize that they have been played by a manipulator, they will not respond well to that person in future communications. While some manipulation could come in useful in a customer-facing role where there is a need to calm down an irritated client, this style will lead to some clashes within teams or departments if one employee is using it consistently.

Where possible, a manipulative communicator should be steered into assertive communication. Manipulator knows what they want to achieve and has clear goals, they are just not taking the best path to get there. Each person will have a preferred method of communication, and endeavoring to use it can help make sure that you are effectively getting your message across.

No matter what your style is, you can adjust it to fit these four types, depending on the style of the person you are communicating with. It may take some practice, but it will make you a much more effective communicator. They want quantifiable information and disregard emotional statements as too vague or unimportant.

Be calm and assertive. Try not to let the nature of an aggressive communicator be intimidating. Focus your conversation on an actionable approach to the issue. Keep conversations professional. Direct the conversation away from personal issues or emotions. Passive-aggressive communication style. Make clear requests. Try not to leave room for misinterpretation or confusion. Confront negative behavior. Talk to them directly about their behavior.

Assertive communication style. Expansive gestures Collaborative and sharing tendencies Healthy expression of ideas and feelings Good posture A clear voice Friendly eye contact. Image description Types of Communication 1. Verbal Use a strong, confident speaking voice. Use active listening. Avoid filler words. Avoid industry jargon when appropriate. Nonverbal Notice how your emotions feel physically.

Be intentional about your nonverbal communications. Mimic nonverbal communications you find effective. Visual Ask others before including visuals.

Consider your audience. The first distinction to make when determining your communication style starts with how you make decisions. The DISC profile provides an unbiased personality assessment tool that outlines human behavioral patterns. Over two million people have taken this communication style quiz. The DISC profile assessment teaches you a great deal about yourself.

Your social style indicates strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for greatness. It can also help you identify your biases, blind-spots, and unfulfilled needs, which often show up as bad behavior. These types of communication style assessment tools develop self-awareness, a key attribute in personal development, healthy relationships, and effective communication skills. Everything happens through conversation.

When we reflect on the successful people we know, two characteristics commonly show up. First, they have a sense of self-awareness and comfort being within their own skin, and a confidence in their sense of their purpose in life.

Second, they often have an above-average means of relating to other people, be that the ability to connect, set people at ease, and communicate in a way that encourages trust. Then, employing assertive communication behaviors , start expressing needs and wants confidently. Powerful communication means understanding your needs and learning how to express them clearly — while also valuing the messages you receive from others. Better communication can help you change your life.

Start practicing better communication today to improve relationships, encourage mutual success, and build trust. Hi there, I'm Lyn.

My purpose is to support you to earn a living and live your life by doing what inspires you. Special thanks to Sarah Goff-Dupont for her contribution to this article. Subscribe to Work Life Get stories about tech and teams in your inbox. Do you know your communication style at work? Take our quiz to find out. By Kat Boogaard In Quizzes. How to work with all the Myers-Briggs personality types.

By Jonathan Thompson In Leadership.