Basic Communication Styles
- 2. Communication Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one place to another.
- 3. Categories of Communication Written Verbal Non-verbal
- 4. The Five Communication Styles Assertive Aggressive Passive-aggressive Submissive Manipulative
- 5. The Assertive Style Assertive communication is born of high self- esteem. It is the healthiest and most effective style of communication - the sweet spot between being too aggressive and too passive.
- 6. The Assertive Style (Cont’d) Behavioral Characteristics Achieving goals without hurting others Protective of own rights and respectful of others' rights Socially and emotionally expressive Making your own choices and taking responsibility for them Asking directly for needs to be met, while accepting the possibility of rejection Accepting compliments
- 7. The Assertive Style (Cont’d) Non-Verbal Behavior Voice – medium pitch and speed and volume Posture – open posture, symmetrical balance, tall, relaxed, no fidgeting Gestures – even, rounded, expansive Facial expression – good eye contact Spatial position – in control, respectful of others
- 8. The Assertive Style (Cont’d) Language "Please would you turn the volume down? I am really struggling to concentrate on my studies." "I am so sorry, but I won't be able to help you with your project this afternoon, as I have a dentist appointment."
- 9. The Assertive Style (Cont’d) People on the Receiving end Feel They can take the person at their word They know where they stand with the person The person can cope with justified criticism and accept compliments The person can look after themselves Respect for the person
- 10. The Aggressive Style This style is about winning – often at someone else's expense. An aggressive person behaves as if their needs are the most important, as though they have more rights, and have more to contribute than other people. It is an ineffective communication style as the content of the message may get lost because people are too busy reacting to the way it's delivered.
- 11. The Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Behavioral Characteristics Frightening, threatening, loud, hostile Willing to achieve goals at expense of others Out to "win" Demanding, abrasive Confrontational Explosive, unpredictable Intimidating Bullying
- 12. The Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Non-Verbal Behavior Voice – volume is loud Posture – 'bigger than' others Gestures - big, fast, sharp/jerky Facial expression – scowl, frown, glare Spatial position - Invade others' personal space, try to stand 'over' others
- 13. The Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Language "You are crazy!" "Do it my way!" "You make me sick!" "That is just about enough out of you!" Sarcasm, name-calling, threatening, blaming, insulting.
- 14. The Aggressive Style (Cont’d) People on the Receiving end Feel Defensive, aggressive (withdraw or fight back) Uncooperative Resentful/Unforgiving Humiliated/degraded Hurt Afraid A loss of respect for the aggressive person Mistakes and problems are not reported to an aggressive person in case they "blow up'. Others are afraid of being railroaded, exploited or humiliated.
- 15. The Passive-Aggressive Style This is a style in which people appear passive on the surface, but are actually acting out their anger in indirect or behind-the-scenes ways. Prisoners of War often act in passive-aggressive ways in order to deal with an overwhelming lack of power.
- 16. The Passive-Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Behavioral Characteristics Indirectly aggressive Sarcastic Devious Unreliable Complaining Sulky Patronizing Gossips Two-faced
- 17. The Passive-Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Non-Verbal Behaviour Voice – Often speaks with a sugary sweet voice. Posture – often asymmetrical – e.g. Standing with hand on hip, and hip thrust out (when being sarcastic or patronizing) Gestures – Can be jerky, quick Facial expression – Often looks sweet and innocent Spatial position – often too close, even touching other as pretends to be warm and friendly
- 18. The Passive-Aggressive Style (Cont’d) Language Passive-aggressive language is when you say something like "Why don't you go ahead and do it; my ideas aren't very good anyway" but maybe with a little sting of irony or even worse, sarcasm, such as "You always know better in any case." "Oh don't you worry about me, I can sort myself out – like I usually have to."
- 19. The Passive-Aggressive Style (Cont’d) People on the Receiving end Feel Confused Angry Hurt Resentful
- 20. The Submissive Style This style is about pleasing other people and avoiding conflict. A submissive person behaves as if other peoples' needs are more important, and other people have more rights and more to contribute.
- 21. The Submissive Style (Cont’d) Behavioural Characteristics Apologetic (feel as if you are imposing when you ask for what you want) Avoiding any confrontation Finding difficulty in taking responsibility or decisions Yielding to someone else's preferences (and discounting own rights and needs) Opting out Feeling like a victim Blaming others for events Refusing compliments Inexpressive (of feelings and desires)
- 22. The Submissive Style (Cont’d) Non-Verbal Behaviour Voice – Volume is soft Posture – make themselves as small as possible, head down Gestures – twist and fidget Facial expression – no eye contact Spatial position – make themselves smaller/lower than others Submissive behaviour is marked by a martyr-like attitude (victim mentality) and a refusal to try out initiatives, which might improve things.
- 23. The Submissive Style (Cont’d) Language "Oh, it's nothing, really." "Oh, that's all right; I didn't want it anymore." "You choose; anything is fine."
- 24. The Submissive Style (Cont’d) People on the Receiving end Feel Exasperated Frustrated Guilty You don't know what you want (and so discount you) They can take advantage of you. Others resent the low energy surrounding the submissive person and eventually give up trying to help them because their efforts are subtly or overtly rejected.
- 25. The Manipulative Style This style is scheming, calculating and shrewd. Manipulative communicators are skilled at influencing or controlling others to their own advantage. Their spoken words hide an underlying message, of which the other person may be totally unaware.
- 26. The Manipulative Style (Cont’d) Behavioural Characteristics Cunning Controlling of others in an insidious way – for example, by sulking Asking indirectly for needs to be met Making others feel obliged or sorry for them. Uses 'artificial' tears
- 27. The Manipulative Style (Cont’d) Non-Verbal Behaviour Voice – patronising, envious, ingratiating, often high pitch Facial expression – Can put on the 'hang dog" expression
- 28. The Manipulative Style (Cont’d) Language "You are so lucky to have those chocolates, I wish I had some. I can't afford such expensive chocolates." "I didn't have time to buy anything, so I had to wear this dress. I just hope I don't look too awful in it." ('Fishing' for a compliment).
- 29. The Manipulative Style (Cont’d) People on the Receiving end Feel Guilty Frustrated Angry, irritated or annoyed Resentful Others feel they never know where they stand with a manipulative person and are annoyed at constantly having to try to work out what is going on.