72 | COSERE Passive communication, as the name suggests, is categorised by a reluctance to express oneself openly. This style of communication could be termed as “nonconfrontational”, or perhaps even “avoidant”. There are many potential sources of this type of behaviour, which could have well-founded origins in issues of insecurity or low confidence. Additionally, a passive communicator may simply favour this style of communication as they wish to avoid conflict. That being said, passive communication can lead to complications when an individual’s needs are not met because they have not spoken up in support of themselves, or potentially a bigger issue when unresolved issues and suppressed emotions eventually come to the surface. If passive communication occupies one end of the spectrum, then aggressive communication sits squarely on the other. Unlike passive communicators, aggressive communicators adopt a domineering approach, with their own needs and opinions coming before anyone else’s. This headstrong and self-confident approach may enable the aggressive communicator to achieve short-term goals promptly, but it is not a sustainable practice as it generally involves the use of intimidation and frequently disregards the feelings and boundaries of others. As such, aggressive communication is effectively a time bomb: the question is not if it will eventually cause interpersonal difficulties, but when. As with passive communication, though, it is beneficial to consider the possible causes of an aggressive communicator’s brand of communication. Perhaps they, too, are harbouring insecurities or confidence issues of their own, or have simply developed a bad habit as a result of past short-term successes achieved with this style. As previously described, communication styles can be imagined as occupying a spectrum of behaviours, what Nichols refers to as the “Passive - Assertive - Aggressive Continuum” (Nichols, 2020). As this title suggests, assertive communication occupies the middle ground of this continuum. Assertive communicators, unlike passive communicators, are unafraid to share their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Unlike aggressive communicators, however, they are respectful of the feelings and boundaries of others. Their confidence does not come from a place of anger or frustration, nor is intimidation a necessary component of it, but rather a clarity of mind and purpose. Generally speaking, assertive communication is further defined by its capacity to positively impact problem-solving, as an assertive communicator can tackle an issue while remaining relatively removed from it, avoiding investing too much personal energy into a workplace difficulty, for example.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzYwNDE=