What is My Communication Style?

We all have a communication style. Have you ever wondered what yours was? Knowing which style is most like you can enhance both your professional and personal encounters with others. If you have never done any research into what your particular style may be, you hopefully would have discovered it by the end of this article.

There are three typical communication styles:

Passive

Assertive

Aggressive

If you have a passive communication style, you avoid expressing your feelings. You put the rights of others before your own, which minimizes your own self-worth. With this communication style, you are implying that you feel inferior to and less important than others. You typically do not express your needs or true feelings. You are soft spoken and display submissiveness.

If you have an assertive communication style, you have no problem expressing your feelings as long as it is not disrespecting or hurting another person. You generally express your true needs and thoughts with ease while maintaining self-respect and the respect of the other party/parties involved. You display higher self-esteem and imply feelings of equality to whoever you come into contact with.

If you have an aggressive communication style, you typically stand up for your rights while violating the rights of others. You feel as if no one else’s opinion is as important as yours and you believe that you are superior to others.

Remember, your communication style may make or break your relationships with others. If you are not currently communicating the way you would like to, it is not too late to work on a new style!

Keisha Francis
Career Educator