Communication styles and teamwork-4

 

The 4 communication styles every team-member should know

Author: Julia Martins

There are four main communication styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication. Learn what they are, the signs of each, and how to support your team no matter their communication style.

It's crucial to know how to communicate with your team successfully. Every action we take at work requires effective communication. Effective communication is essential for finishing our own job, working as a team, assigning tasks to colleagues, and exchanging progress updates. That's why it's so crucial to comprehend why individuals communicate in the manner that they do.

The four communication methods play a role in this. People's conversation is categorized using the four communication styles. You can use your knowledge of your communication style to identify areas where you and your coworkers may diverge and to improve teamwork. 

What is a communication style? 

The various methods that individuals communicate can be categorized using a communication style. Communication can be done in four different ways: passively, aggressively, passively-aggressively, and assertively. Each of the various expression methods includes writing, nonverbal communication, and vocal expression.

The 4 types of communication styles

1. Passive communication style.

A passive speaker is one who rarely speaks up. Instead, they are content to flow with the situation and meet other people's requirements. The majority of the time, passive speakers don't engage in conflict and sometimes even come across as submissive. They might make nonverbal gestures like crossing their arms or averting eye contact.

2. Aggressive communication style.

This type of communicator is so certain of their viewpoint that they might not attend to the opinions of their team members. They frequently interject their own opinions into conversations and occasionally may even use harsh words like "you're wrong" or "you don't get it." This person will keep eye contact when speaking nonverbally.

3. Passive-aggressive communication style.

This type of communicator is uncomfortable expressing their true feelings. Their nonverbal and verbal communication may not line up, as in the case where they express excitement verbally but exhibit contradictory body language, such as a frown or hunched shoulders. 

4. Assertive communication style. 

A individual with this communication style stands up for themselves. They are the kind of communicators who can articulate their goals, the rights of others, or their own interests while also advocating on their behalf. Assertive communicators may use hand gestures while communicating nonverbally, and they likely have calm or happy facial expressions while speaking.

In my opinion, you can put procedures and assistance systems in place to make sure team members feel free to be themselves at work. People will be given the tools they need to speak assertively and advocate for their own needs once the obstacles that may be preventing them from doing so are removed. 

Link: Martins, J. (2022, June 15). Understand your team's communication and unlock their potential. Asana. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://asana.com/resources/communication-styles