4 Key Communication Styles For Better Teamwork 2025
In contrast, a person from a low-context culture, where messages are generally explicit, might use a more direct, straightforward communication style. Effective leadership requires a blend of communication styles, adapted to various scenarios and dependent on the collective characteristics of team members (Paxson, 2018). A therapist listening attentively to a client and then responding thoughtfully is an example of reflective communication. A real-world example could be an employee subtly highlighting a problem by commenting on the challenges of a task, rather than directly stating the concern.
The sender sends messages, and the receiver simultaneously types and replies to the messages making it an instant messenger. WhatsApp, Facebook messenger, Yahoo chat are a few of the famous examples of the instant messenger. One of the biggest obstacles for employees working from home is that it’s easier for us to misunderstand what people are saying. Most of us aren’t used to only communicating through a screen, meaning there is a higher chance that things will get misinterpreted.
I pay attention to both my own needs and those of other people, and I am good at making compromises. I always try to listen carefully to what other people are trying to tell me, and I make sure they know that. If I have an argument with somebody, I can express myself (my thoughts and emotions) in a clear and honest way.
Even if I want something else, I agree to do the things that people around me want to do. I don’t express my emotions clearly, but I show people that I am angry in other ways. I try to express my anger in a more toned down way because I don’t want to feel rejected. Understanding your communication style can be beneficial in various settings, including professional development. After completing the quiz, you’ll receive a detailed analysis of your communication style, identifying your strengths and areas you might want to work on. It fosters mutual respect and helps resolve conflict without aggression or avoidance.
Earlier, there was only verbal and non-verbal communication, but now there is another more effective form of communication, which is Online communication. Many people have started to communicate with the help of online communication. In fact, during the recent pandemic of COVID-19, online communication has picked up like anything. You’ll notice your efforts are working when team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, disagreeing with one another, and asserting their needs. Once http://thecharmerly.com that happens, continue to invest in team building, coaching, and communication best practices to help your team maintain their confident, assertive communication style.
In LaFave’s experience, people with more skill in these areas often have higher emotional intelligence; therefore, they tend to communicate more successfully with other people. “Active listening means listening not just with our ears but also with our eyes and with our heart,” said LaFave. “We can do that by asking questions that seek to understand the meaning behind what is being spoken.” To LaFave, active listening also means not jumping to conclusions.
Directive communication style prioritizes control and efficiency, using straightforward language and making direct requests or commands (Watson & Hill, 2015). A typical example could be an employee who doesn’t voice their discomfort with an increased workload, despite feeling overwhelmed. Over time, this communication style can lead to stress, resentment, and lowered self-esteem (Steinberg, 2007). Aggressive communication is a style where individuals express their thoughts and feelings without regard for others (Watson & Hill, 2015). When dealing with assertive communicators, managers should use direct responses that convey respect.
Can Therapy Help Improve Communication?
Sometimes people don’t respond to messages and email because it may require a lot of time out of their busy schedule, and they could potentially forget about it. Ask yes or no questions and break up your list of questions into shorter groups that are easier to respond to quickly. You may be used to doing a lot of your communication online, either via text message or email. Your communication style online will be similar to your style face-to-face, but you may have to make some adjustments.
Improving communication style involves self-reflection, actively seeking feedback, and practicing adaptability in different situations. Engage in active listening, be open to other styles, and continuously seek learning opportunities or workshops focused on communication skills. The tone of your online communication must be what you intend it to be. Most of the time, you may intend something else, and the communication turns out to be something else. Such mismatches can be disastrous for not only business but also personal purposes. Passive communicators may feel uncomfortable or socially anxious at work.
Understanding one’s communication style can lead to more effective interactions with others, reduce misunderstandings, and foster stronger relationships both personally and professionally. It can also aid in self-awareness, ensuring that one’s message is both heard and understood as intended. Passive-aggressive communicators may feel like their opinions wouldn’t be accepted by the group. Often, they reverted to passive-aggressive communication because direct communication historically didn’t work for them. According to the Mayo Clinic, these types of people are uncomfortable being direct about their needs. Those from high-context cultures, for instance, might employ more indirect and implicit communication styles, relying on shared cultural understandings to convey messages.
- Understandably, standards of professionalism are bound to shift when so many are working from home.
- A real-world example might be a supervisor who constantly criticizes employee performance without providing opportunities for dialogue or feedback.
- In some cases, these shifts have had negative impacts on how people communicate in the workplace.
- A formal business setting, for example, might require a careful, deliberate style (e.g. using formal language, maintaining a neutral tone, and adhering to strict protocols).
The use of advanced data analysis tools and rigorous thematic procedures ensured that our findings were robust and reflective of the diverse experiences within our sample. For the limitations of the study, while our study focused on college students aged 18-22, this demographic may not fully represent the broader population’s communication preferences. The age group and educational environment might influence communication styles more specific to this demographic, such as familiarity with digital platforms or developmental aspects related to social interactions. Additionally, the study relies heavily on self-reported data, which can introduce bias. Participants might respond in ways they perceive as socially acceptable or based on their aspirational self-image rather than their actual behavior.
While assertiveness may be praised in men, “women are more likely to be seen as aggressive when they assert themselves,” she said. It’s important to think about how your communication style comes across and what factors may affect how you view someone else’s style, too. For example, being an assertive communicator is often seen as a good thing.
If you supervise an over-communicator, you can politely and directly ask them to stop updating you so frequently. If the communication is important but too much, too fast, consider having them consolidate everything into a report at the end of the day so you can give it your focused attention. Did you get the email, the Slack message, the update, the follow up email, the message on your voice mail?
This can help socially anxious or stressed team members by removing the guesswork from work communication. With millions of people working from home, online communication and collaboration is more essential than ever. In addition to someone’s communication style, a project can also be affected by how clear someone’s message is. For example, if someone is speaking in a direct and concise manner, active listening can help you determine the reasons behind that choice. You might assume they are being aggressive, but in reality, they may just be short on time. “If you are dealing with a superior, it might help to identify that person’s leadership style and leadership traits,” said Owston.
For example, someone who says “I’m fine” while crossing their arms and avoiding eye contact may actually be communicating discomfort. Learning to read and regulate nonverbal signals improves both empathy and emotional intelligence. Aggressive communicators express opinions and feelings in ways that violate the rights or emotions of others.
The Over-Communicator always has new info, details, and ideas that they urgently want to share. It can be confusing when somebody else communicates in a style you’re not used to. Or maybe you don’t understand why someone reacted to something that seemed normal to you.
Now that you know more about the four communication styles, think about the results that you got from the quiz. Do you feel like there is room for improvement in your communication techniques? Finally, think about whether the way you generally communicate with other people is effective. It’s a truism that different professions attract different types of personalities, whether on the frontlines or in leadership. And so too we should expect that different professions will appeal to different communication styles.
Aggressive communicators may dominate conversations and push their opinions onto others. If you communicate aggressively, you might be assertive and decisive, but also risk damaging relationships or making others feel disrespected. Since then, many flavors of determining the communication styles have been developed in the form of many assessments. This assessment is based on the research by Pierre Casse, published in 1981 in the book Training for the Cross-Cultural Mind. Here he proposed 4 categories of communication styles called Action, Process, Idea, and People. Communication styles quiz (adapted from “DBT Made Simple” by Sheri Van Dijk) Assertive Style I feel that I am allowed to express my thoughts and emotions to other people.
Active listening is a conscious and engaged way of listening, where your sole focus is to understand what the other person is saying. This involves reserving judgment, paraphrasing responses, and asking specific, open-ended questions that encourage conversation. When you understand your team’s different communication styles, you’re better equipped to bridge gaps between employees who think and communicate differently. For example, a functional communicator who prefers detailed, step-by-step instructions may find it frustrating to work with an intuitive communicator who focuses on the big picture. You can see these styles through in-person conversations, in writing, or online through social media.
In addition to these dedicated meetings, make some time to get to know each other on a regular basis. At Asana, we use icebreakers at the beginning of most meetings to make sure we have a bit of levity and connection in every meeting. Boost motivation by helping your employees understand why their work matters. In this free ebook, learn how to create a shared sense of purpose on your team. Join industry leaders from Asana and Anthropic to learn proven strategies for implementing AI across your workflow stages and unlock the full potential of Asana’s AI Studio.
What Other Factors Affect How Someone Communicates?
I treat myself and other people with respect while I’m communicating with them. Assertive communication is considered the most effective and balanced style. Assertive people express their needs, thoughts and feelings honestly while still respecting others.
Communication styles vary greatly, including on account of the context in which you’re communicating, the cultural context, and your personality. Some individuals might favor a direct and concise style, while others might veer towards a more elaborate way of expressing their thoughts. As a Personal communicator, you value emotional language and connection, and use that as your mode of discovering what others are really thinking.
If you exhibit passive communication, you might often agree with others, even when you don’t genuinely agree, to avoid conflict. Although this style can contribute to a more peaceful environment, it may also lead to frustration and unaddressed issues. To improve your communication, practice asserting yourself and expressing your thoughts and feelings effectively.
This polarization highlights the ambiguity of emojis, which may be interpreted differently depending on individual circumstances and cultural backgrounds. For managers, the best way to handle aggressive communication is to remain calm and establish clear boundaries that facilitate respect. If an employee escalates aggressive communication and crosses the line into inappropriate language or harassment, it’s important to get human resources involved.
This style involves demonstrating genuine interest in team members’ lives, listening effectively, and encouraging open discussions. A leader practicing this style might regularly check on their team’s well-being and motivate them through recognition and appreciation (Long et al., 2021). Formal communicators use direct organization, complete sentences, respectful address, and avoid slang or informal language. Diplomatic communication involves choosing words carefully to manage relationships and maintain harmony without compromising on effectively conveying the intended message (Long et al., 2021). This includes not just body language, but interactive activities as a means of communicating or emphasizing points.
For instance, for quick updates or logistical arrangements, digital communication is often favored for its efficiency. However, for more complex discussions or sensitive topics, in-person interactions are preferred due to the richer, more nuanced exchange they enable. It is also worth noting that some students reported a gradual shift in their preferences towards digital communication as they adapted to the constraints imposed by recent global events such as the pandemic. This adaptation process reflects the dynamic nature of communication preferences in response to external changes.
Face-to-face interactions remain crucial for a deeper emotional connection, underscoring the limitations of digital platforms in replicating the richness of in-person exchanges. Assertive communication is considered the most effective approach for cultivating healthy relationships, because it balances expressing your needs and feelings while respecting the needs and feelings of others. Developing and applying assertive communication skills can help reduce misunderstandings and prevent resentment from building up.
This is arguably the first form of communication developed in an online communication method. This is considered and accused as the sole reason for the decline of postal services across the world. It is one of the fastest ways and is deemed to be professional everywhere. Online communication is how people communicate, connect, transact to send, retrieve, or receive information of any kind via the internet using digital media. All the communication that is carried out via the internet is known as Online communication. Because of our increasing presence online, this type of communication is becoming equally important as offline communication.
If you’re unsure about your communication style or want more insight into how you communicate at work, take this short communication style quiz. This quiz aims to identify your inclination towards passive, assertive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive communication styles. A person with this communication style is very confident in their point of view—to the point where they may not listen to their teammate’s opinions. Non-verbal communication typically includes strong eye contact, signaling dominance. Working on your communication skills might not only be about identifying other people’s communication styles — but also reflecting on your own.
Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and WeChat have revolutionized how we interact, making it possible to maintain relationships over long distances with ease. The digital transformation of communication has brought about significant changes in the linguistic practices of individuals, particularly young adults. The incorporation of multimedia elements such as images, videos, and emojis attempts to bridge the gap in emotional expression that the lack of physical presence creates.