03/08/2026
The four basic communication styles are often categorised as follows:
🧡Passive: This style involves avoiding or suppressing one's own needs or desires in favour of others'. People using a passive communication style often have difficulty expressing their thoughts or standing up for themselves. They might seem shy, reserved, or overly accommodating.
🧡Aggressive: This style is characterized by being forceful, confrontational, and expressing one's own needs, desires, and opinions at the expense of others. It often involves dominating conversations, disregarding others' feelings or opinions, and may come off as hostile or overbearing.
🧡Passive-Aggressive: Combining elements of both passive and aggressive communication, this style involves indirect expressions of hostility, frustration, or resistance. Instead of openly addressing concerns, a person might use sarcasm, subtle insults, or avoidant behavior to express their dissatisfaction.
🧡Assertive: The assertive style strikes a balance between expressing one's own needs, thoughts, and feelings while also respecting others. Assertive communicators are direct, clear, and confident in expressing themselves without being overly aggressive. They value their own opinions and rights while also considering the rights and opinions of others.
These styles can manifest in various situations, and individuals might exhibit a blend of these styles depending on the context.
Developing an awareness of these styles can help improve communication and interactions with others. To unpack this further, book one of our Professional Workshops today - https://elevatewellbeing.org.au/professional-development-workshops/stress-and-communication-in-the-workplace/
