Communication Styles

There are four basic type of communication styles; namely, assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive.

Assertive : high self esteem, self confident, able to communicate their needs clearly but also know their limits, care for relationships, strive for mutual satisfactory solution.

Aggressive : attempt to make others do what they want through manipulation and tactics

Passive : put other's needs before own, base on compliance and effort to avoid confrontation at
all cost

Passive-aggressive : combine elements of passive & aggressive styles, avoid direct confrontation,
use devious and sneaky means of manipulation to get their own way

A healthy assertive communication style and the ability to correctly interpret other's communication are important in position of leadership. However, our gender greatly influence which communication style we tend to prefer. Women tend to use communication tocreate and sustain relationships but men on the other hand use communication primarily to solve problems and get things done.

This may be due to the way in which we are socialized. Boys are taught to assert themsleves, whereas girls are taught to listen and be responsive. So, which communication style are you? :p