Communication is the most important part of learning. Here are a few verbal communication styles and techniques to improve communication skills.
Communication in literal terms means, transfer of information from one person to another. Verbal communication means, transfer of information through talking. It uses numbers, words, symbols and sounds to construct a dialog for its listener. Communication intends to express, impress, warn and emote a certain message.
Various styles are adopted to achieve this purpose, depending on the audience, circumstance, event and the occasion. The manner in which a certain message is communicated decides the communication styles. A combination of personality, traits, vocabulary and gesticulations finally make up a verbal communication style. Let’s try and understand the personality styles which impact ways of communication.
Personalities Determining Styles of Verbal Communication
Expressive Style of Communication
An expressive style is often an outcome of an expressive personality. These are often seen as sociable and amicable people in the crowd. Their imaginative and creative streak helps them in finding new ways to communicate their ideas to the audience. This helps them develop an expressive style of communication free of any reservations and hesitations. The speech of an expressive personality is animated, spontaneous, jovial, and conversational while communicating both, negative and positive thoughts.
Aggressive Style of Communication
The aggressive style of communication is usually perceived as inconsiderate of others emotions. This style of communication stems from an aggressive personality. A person with an aggressive personality is often seen to interrupt others, has poor listening skills, monopolizes conversations and takes a controlling tone. Aggressive communicators think of themselves to be above others and thus try to impose themselves through stating their opinions rather violently. Their derogatory tone of talking, makes the audience feel humiliated. The speaker is usually expressing authority or passing a judgment while using this style of speaking. For instance, ‘I want an explanation for this mess’, is an aggressive style of speaking.
Passive Style of Communication
The passive style of communication is exactly the opposite of aggressive style of communication. In a passive way of communication a person finds it difficult to express feelings and emotions with honesty. The genesis of this style of communication is a passive personality. A passive personality chooses not to react to situations and thus refuses any kind of confrontations or explanations. Self-doubt, use of apologetic words and a timid body language are ways of recognizing a passive personality. Such people often speak in a manner of implying that others’ needs are more important that theirs. In a way they assume that others will know what is best for them. Thus they find it difficult to communicate and end up communicating incomplete messages.
Passive-Aggressive Style of Communication
The passive-aggressive style of communication stems from passive style of communication. The two are deeply interlinked, often resulting in defeating the purpose of communication. As passive person fails to communicate with honesty, his expectations are not met with, which thus results in passive-aggression. An aggressive style of communication is where the speaker states the objective clearly, although callously. In this way of communication, the speaker routes the message through indirect ways making things even more complicated. This makes the other person feel guilty for not understanding the situation properly. The speaker may also say things behind the person’s back and would refuse to respond in case of a confrontation. The end result of this form of communication is often a misunderstanding.
Communication Styles As Per Roles
Directors
Directors hold an important role in an kind of a set-up. Thus, by the virtue of their role they become task-oriented and focused while communicating the audience. These role players come straight to the point, instead of beating around the bush. They truly believe that actions speaks louder than words. They are far more result-oriented than anyone else. The manner in which the message is communicated is crisp, correct and concise.
Relators
The development of interpersonal relationships is extremely important to relators. They consider the opinions of their audience or team members before communicating anything. They nurture positive and helpful environment. They try to keep the pressurizing situations at bay and encourage friendships amongst subordinates. They like to build spaces which succeed on mutual trust and respect.
Thinkers
The thinkers are also called the analyticals. These people play the role of perfectionists. They are known to be very specific and accurate in giving instructions. Mistakes are rare under their supervision and in case of any, they are taken very seriously. They communicate in a very supportive, patient and helpful way with their audience in order to explain the task perfectly and achieve the preset goal.
Socializers
The socializers love to interact with people and take on new challenges. They perform the best when working in teams, as being with people is an intrinsic part of their nature. They communicate by initiating dialogs and open discussions. They always look for new ways of dealing with problems. This makes their communication style seems very easy and approachable.
Verbal styles of communications largely depends on the nature of the speaker. The personality type and the nature of the person dictates the style in which the person will communicate. To understand your style of communication, it is important to understand your personality. The effective way of communication, many a time, is the one that uses a combination of styles.