There are three main types of communication styles: passive, aggressive, and assertive. Everyone vacillates between each style depending on the situation and who you are talking with.

A passive communicative style is demonstrated when a person doesn’t speak up for themselves, or doesn’t make their thoughts and feelings known. They shy away from conflict and believe that their views are inferior to others. A passive person may lack confidence and may have a low self-esteem.

An aggressive style of communicating is characterized by sharing one’s thoughts and feelings in an intimating way. An aggressive person believes their their way of thinking is correct, therefore they are unwilling to listen to others thoughts and opinions. They are arrogant and disrespectful.

An assertive communication style is when a person makes their thoughts and feelings known while listening to others thoughts, feelings, and opinions. If opposing views are not resolved, then an assertive person will “agree to disagree”. Assertiveness is the communication style that we should all strive to use.