When we talk about styles of just about anything, inevitably the discussion will follow with a list and communication isn’t immune from that. It is interesting and more than likely a trait of someone’s ‘communication style’, that you find many different variations of styles, depending on where you research you may find four or five communication styles – possibly more/less.

5 Communication Styles -Which one are you?

• Assertive
• Aggressive
• Passive-aggressive
• Submissive
• Manipulative

Being an Assertive Communicator is truly where we all want to strive to be, it is healthy and mature manner of communication. Being certain but respectful, not being intimidated.

“Assertiveness is not a quality employees acquire by simply being told that they have more authority or that they should be assertive. It is a quality acquired through a change in mental attitude about oneself and about being assertive. Aggressive Communication is exactly as it sounds, and brings with it some issues of anger, or feeling a certain threat from others that we need to be pretty much in the offense with our communication. Not ideal at all, although some will argue that there are times when this style is extremely necessary and beneficial. Those who have been unsuccessful as an Assertive Communicator might agree, but experience will always side with Assertive Communication as the most healthy and most leaders personal goal at all times as their communication style; whether professionally or personally.” ~Suzanne Updegraff, President, Employee Development Systems, Inc.

The other styles are less common as stand-alone styles, they are usually seen as a shared trait; for example, one might be an Assertive-Submissive or Assertive-Aggressive; taking on the top characteristics of each style.

The key to becoming an effective communicator lies in the understanding of each of the styles as well as understanding ones-self. Taking deep reflection at why we react to things in certain ways, how we think about others as well as ourselves, all play a hand in helping us to pin point our communications style, and knowing it helps us to become highly-effective in using it and our selective communication choices in a manner that can makes us accessible to others in either a transparent way or perhaps the opposite.

Make communication one of your key personal and professional goals this year as a leader or as a person, to learn as much as you can about the style that reflects you the best and learn what buttons others push that can cause you to lose track of that style focus or cause you to slip into other perhaps less desirable styles. The more you know about your own traits the better a communicator you can be, and the more transparent you can become; thus leading your team, flock or others to the end in sight.

The EDSI Assertive Communication program helps employees change their thoughts and behaviors in order to take initiative, offer suggestions, solve problems, and in general communicate more effectively. In this program, participants learn to:

• Understand behaviors and results of assertive, nonassertive, and aggressive communication
• Identify self-limiting thoughts and counter those thoughts to facilitate assertive behavior
• Communicate feedback or preferences clearly and openly
• Use assertive “I-statements” to keep communication open and avoid defensiveness
• Use empathic/assertive statements to demonstrate listening
• Follow a 3-step model to request a change in another’s behavior

Participants learn to foster employee involvement in problem-solving; develop a habit of being proactive, communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, and customers; develop and improve cost-effective organizational processes; and identifying self-limiting thoughts and counter those thoughts to facilitate assertive behavior.

Leaders with the most impact are those who can build and successfully manage great teams. Every day, we help our clients and colleagues achieve their highest levels of professional presence and personal effectiveness. That includes everyone on the ladder, from company presidents to project managers, to staff members. Contact us at 800-282-3374 to find out how we can help you impact your own productivity and the productivity of your entire organization.