Small business owners, just like you, understand that having the ability to communicate with your team can make or break the success of your business. Clear communication is the foundation where trust and understanding are built, but is it really that straightforward? Understanding different types of communication styles can bridge the gap between intention and interpretation and allow you to become a better leader for your team. There are four main communication styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive.
Check out the four communication styles associated with your own and find success as a leader.
1. The limitations to passive communication
Passive communication is the most gentle communication style out of the bunch. It's characterized as a step-back approach, where there's a reluctance to express thoughts and feelings usually to avoid conflict or to please others. If you typically find yourself saying "yes" when you really want to say "no", you might be using passive communication. The limitations of this style of communication can lead to potential misunderstandings, missed deadlines and a general lack of clarity. As a leader, being passive can strain your relationships with your team, taking a hit on trust and accountability. From the perspective of your team members, being passive may also give the impression that there's a lack of leadership. Don't be shy; let your voice be heard!
Getting Started: If you find yourself generally defaulting to passive communication, think of an upcoming conversation or meeting where you can challenge yourself to speak up and proactively share your thoughts, feelings or ideas. Start small and remember, like with any skill, growth can take time. Don't be afraid of flexing your vocal muscles ‒ you might just surprise yourself!
2. The drawbacks of aggressive communication
While it may seem assertive, aggressive communication can feel a bit overwhelming for most people. This style of communication involves expressing your thoughts and feelings forcefully, prioritizing your own needs first. This may also come off as disrespectful, jeopardizing the morale and trust of others. Although it gets your point across more clearly than passive communication, it can alienate your team and create a hostile work environment. They're also less likely to share their ideas if they feel threatened by this intimidating approach. One drawback to remember is that having an aggressive communication style as a small business owner could hurt your business's reputation, making it hard to bring in new clients and opportunities.
Getting Started: If you recognize that you easily become stressed or frustrated due to having an aggressive communication approach, focus on cultivating empathy. When you realize how your words may affect others, you'll have a better understanding of how to assert yourself.
3. The challenges of passive-aggressive communication
Have you ever had someone give you a compliment with a tone that didn't quite match the words? Passive-aggressive communication is simply a mix of the two styles that we mentioned earlier. People with this style may appear friendly on the surface, but secretly feel upset. An example of this behavior is expressing displeasure in indirect ways, such as procrastination or sarcasm. This can be problematic for your business because this communication style avoids direct confrontation, making it hard to resolve ongoing issues. When team members pick up on that indirect hostility, it can leave them feeling confused and frustrated, chipping away their ability to work together. Let's face it, dealing with passive-aggressiveness is just like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape!
Getting Started: If you resort to passive-aggressive communication, the key is to embrace honesty and clarity. It's important to practice active listening while trying to actively solve conflicts head on. It may feel difficult at first, but once you take a breather and address the situation directly, you'll get better at doing so!
4. Achieving success with assertive communication
Confidence, empathy and productivity all thrive with assertive communication, which stands out as the most effective and desirable style among most leaders and their teams. This style allows people to express their needs, thoughts and feelings in a clear and respectful manner, while also considering the needs of others. By being assertive, you can build stronger relationships due to the mutual understanding between each other. If someone has an issue, they'll feel encouraged to bring it to your attention. Any conflicts will be easier to address and resolve because it'll promote your clear expression of concerns and needs without aggression or passivity. Assertive communication is the key to helping your business reach its goals faster while empowering you as a leader for your team.
Getting Started: Challenge yourself to become an assertive communicator by expressing your thoughts and feelings directly and confidently. Practice using "I" statements to assert yourself without coming across as aggressive. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself!
Although it may seem like one of many options, assertive communication is actually quite adaptable. To really develop this style, start by understanding your own communication style and how it plays into your daily interactions. Take some time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. Don't forget to actively tune in when others are talking, putting yourself in their shoes, especially since they look up to you for guidance. Other things to look out for are how to embrace constructive feedback and set realistic boundaries and expectations. Before you know it, you'll be standing out as a proficient leader and your business will as well!
Check out our other blog on ways to show gratitude to your team!
Author: Gary Wong
What skills are you practicing to achieve assertive communication?
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