There are two basic communication styles: passive and aggressive. Using either style appropriately in a relationship is vital. Passive people often use their words more passively and do not express themselves as firmly as those who are aggressive. These people may be difficult to understand, hesitant to express their opinions, and have a difficult time asking for help.
Assertive communication
Communicating assertively means taking yourself seriously and being able to express your feelings clearly. This kind of communication will make you more comfortable in your own skin and will also build your confidence and self-esteem. It will also help you in establishing better relationships with others. Moreover, it will show that you have the right to express your feelings and needs.
Communicating assertively takes practice and preparation. It also involves self-control and ensuring that everyone in a situation feels heard. It builds confidence and helps you deal with challenging situations. If you do not feel confident with your communication skills, consider enacting a role and practicing. Some counseling centers use role-playing techniques to train their clients in assertive communication skills.
Assertiveness means standing up for one's rights without hurting others. The ultimate goal of this kind of communication is mutuality and respect. In addition to using words, assertive people use non-verbal communication techniques such as direct eye contact, strong posture, gestures, and facial expressions to emphasize their needs and feelings.
Passive communication
Aggressive assertive or passive communication relates to the ways in which a person expresses their feelings to others. Passive communicators often act indifferently and are not willing to express their feelings. This can lead to resentment and anger. Passive communicators may appear cooperative but may have hidden agendas that may lead to misunderstandings.
Assertive communication, on the other hand, involves communicating your feelings without violating the rights of others. Assertive communication is the best choice when you want to express your needs without violating the rights of others. However, it requires that you are aware of your own emotions and are considerate of others' needs. Assertive people can also be empathic.
If you are one of the passive partners, it may be difficult to alter the way you communicate with each other. When you are being passive, you are allowing your partner to diminish your role. In turn, you may become resentful of the other person and feel like you're the weaker one.
Aggressive communication
Aggressive and passive communication styles are two different ways to communicate. Aggressive communication is not always effective, and can create a cycle of conflict. This type of communication is not only ineffective, but it can also be harmful to the relationship, as it can cause hurt feelings and build walls between you and your partner. To combat this behavior, learn to engage in healthy communication with your partner. If you're able to understand their point of view and respond to it in a constructive way, you're more likely to have a productive conversation.
Passive-aggressive communication is often the result of miscommunication and a fear of confrontation. However, it can have the same negative effects as aggressive communication. In addition to being unhelpful, passive-aggressive communication can lead to misunderstandings and lost opportunities. This type of communication can also spread the seeds of dissatisfaction and doubt to others. If you are a manager, it is important to find out if your employee is displaying passive-aggressive communication.