Welcome to Enhancing Recovery Part 1.
I'm Dr.
Lynn Brown.
Today's topic is Communication Skills Part 2,
Communication Styles.
There are three communication styles,
Aggressive,
Passive and assertive.
Passive and aggressive are manifestations of the same foundation.
That is fear.
Those who are either passive or aggressive are responding from a sense of lack,
Lack of a sense of inherent worth.
Let's talk about each of these three in relation to voice,
Words and body.
The aggressive person's voice tone is a result of an adrenaline dump,
So it is powerful,
Edgy,
Percussive,
Intimidating,
Forceful and harsh.
There is a lot of diaphragm being used and the pitch is deep.
Their words are mean,
Demanding,
Sarcastic and other deprecating.
And there is usually a lot of profanity.
The person's body language is tense and rigid with movement,
Close proximity there in your face and they take up a lot of space.
An aggressive communicator has tunnel vision,
Is not thinking clearly and is problem oriented,
Not solution oriented.
The passive person's voice tone is soft,
Meek,
Demure and apologetic.
There is mumbling,
A depressiveness and very little diaphragm is being used.
Their words are self-deprecating,
Self-blaming,
Unsure and indicate powerlessness.
The body language is limp,
Still,
Inward.
There is a sense of shyness,
Keeping distance and taking up as little space as possible.
The assertive person's voice tone is neutral and clear.
There is flexibility in pitch and speed and the person is in control of their voice.
The words of an assertive person are honest,
Honoring,
Respectful and self and other enhancing.
They keep appropriate space between themselves and others,
Are not threatened by others or circumstances and are solution oriented.
Take time to give some thought to your dominant communication style and if it isn't assertive,
Perhaps start practicing communicating in an assertive manner.
It will serve you well because others will be more willing to hear what you have to say if you are speaking in a manner that is showing respect for them.
