Almost anyone can learn to be more assertive. Achieving this makes communication simple, direct and appropriate. In the company you see on a daily basis examples of assertive, passive and aggressive communication and, therefore, management's objectives should include training employees to overcome their tendency to communicate passively or their habit of intimidating others; and start practising active and appropriate communication.
Unfortunately, there is no way to control how other people will choose to communicate with you. However, it is possible to choose how one's own response is crafted.. Accepting responsibility for communication is the first step in improving relationships with others.
Assertiveness is one of the most important skills for companies, as it is one of the most important skills for companies, when, instead of examples of assertive, passive aggressive communication, the environment is characterised by assertiveness in all interactions:
Of all the types of communication that exist, assertiveness is the healthiest and most likely option to help the individual achieve their goals. For, although aggressive and passive behaviour may contribute to a person's temporary achievement of a goal, in the medium and long term, assertiveness is more effective.
How do you make other people aware of your goals? How do you make those around you aware of your limits?
We all use different communication styles at different times, but we may have a tendency to exhibit one style more than another.. After a while this becomes habitual. Our behaviour may be related to the context of the situation, who is involved or where the interaction takes place.
It could be said that assertiveness is about actively and appropriately communicating one's goal, passivity means communicating in an inactive or ineffective way and aggressiveness would have to do with communicating actively, but inappropriately.
Examples of assertive, passive-aggressive and aggressive communication would be:
Passive behaviour: afraid to speak.
Aggressive behaviour: interrupts and expresses his or her opinion over others.
Assertive behaviour: speak openly.
Passive behaviour: speaks softly.
Aggressive behaviour: speaks loudly.
Assertive behaviour: use a normal conversational tone.
Passive behaviour: avoid looking people in the eye.
Aggressive behaviour: looks at others with excessive fixation.
Assertive behaviour: makes good eye contact.
Passive behaviour: shows little or no expression.
Aggressive behaviour: intimidates others with exaggerated expressions.
Assertive behaviour: shows expressions that match the message.
Passive behaviour: slouching and withdrawing.
Aggressive behaviour: stands stiffly, folds arms or invades the personal space of others.
Assertive behaviour: relax and adopt an open posture and expression.
Passive behaviour: isolates from groups.
Aggressive behaviour: tries to control the group.
Assertive behaviour: participates in group dynamics.
Passive behaviour: agreeing with others, regardless of their priorities or feelings.
Aggressive behaviour: only considers one's own feelings.
Assertive behaviour: they take into account their goals, but also the feelings of others.
Passive behaviour: values oneself less than others.
Aggressive behaviour: values oneself more than others.
Assertive behaviour: considers oneself equal to others.
Passive behaviour: self-harming to avoid hurting others.
Aggressive behaviour: hurts others to avoid being hurt.
Assertive behaviour: tries not to hurt anyone (including himself).
Passive behaviour: does not achieve goals and may not even have set them.
Aggressive behaviour: achieves goals but may harm others in the process.
Assertive behaviour: usually achieves goals without alienating others.
While it is true that assertive communication is not magic and that it does not always lead to the achievement of goals, it does provide other benefits.. For example, when an employee makes the decision to be assertive, he or she is likely to surprise those around him or her and infect them with his or her ability. It will become easier to manage stress and, over time, there will be a noticeable improvement in workplace relationships and communication.
Did you find these examples of assertive, passive and aggressive communication useful?
