| y to success is learning how to understand four the | | | | Passive communication is based on compliance and |
| different communication styles. The main reason for | | | | hopes to avoid confrontation at all costs. In this mode |
| conflicts with our family, friends, colleagues, and our | | | | we don't talk much, question even less, and actually do |
| team members in a home-based business is a "lack of | | | | very little. We just don't want to rock the boat. People |
| communication". Effective communication skills are | | | | that use passive communication styles have learned |
| essential in our lives and in the home-business industry. | | | | that it is safer not to react. They lack so much |
| More often than not, the problem is a result of a | | | | confidence in themselves that it feels better to |
| communication breakdown and it is as though each | | | | disappear rather than to stand up, be noticed, and |
| individual is actually speaking their own "unique | | | | have a voice. |
| language". | | | | Passive-Aggressive Communication |
| In this digitally inter-connected world, you'd think we | | | | A combination of styles, passive-aggressive avoids |
| could "fix" such basic differences. Unfortunately, it's not | | | | direct confrontation (passive), but attempts to get even |
| as easy as plugging another device into the system. | | | | through manipulation (aggressive). If you've ever |
| Maybe they're the problem or maybe you are. We all | | | | thought about making that certain someone who |
| know difficult people - and, in fact, we can all be the | | | | needs to be "taught a thing or two" suffer (even just a |
| difficult person. | | | | teeny bit), you've stepped pretty close to (if not on |
| A little background on communication styles, as a key | | | | into) the devious and sneaky world of the |
| to success, can help us understand the issues and | | | | passive-aggressive. People that use this |
| learn how to alter our approach and eventually make | | | | communication style operate out of fear and clearly do |
| life a little easier for both parties. | | | | not have the courage to stand up and say what they |
| Learning how to communicate effectively is a key to | | | | need to say. Therefore, they use the cowardly form |
| success and will help us reach financial success. Every | | | | of passive-aggressive communication. They are the |
| time we speak, we choose and use one of four basic | | | | ones that will smile to your face and then "stab you in |
| communication styles. It is important to learn that only | | | | the back". |
| one of them is effective and is the only one as the | | | | So, now what? |
| key to success. | | | | Clearly, for many reasons, the only "HEALTHY |
| 1. Assertive | | | | EFFECTIVE" communication style is assertive |
| 2. Aggressive | | | | communication. It is the only form of communication |
| 3. Passive | | | | that is clearly a "key to success" and an effective |
| 4. Passive-aggressive. | | | | communication skill. Surely you can identify many |
| Assertive Communication | | | | people in your own life that favor each of the four |
| The assertive communication style is the most | | | | styles. Most of us use a combination of these four |
| effective and the healthiest form of communication. It's | | | | styles depending on the person or situation. The styles |
| how we naturally express ourselves when our | | | | we choose generally depend on what our past |
| self-esteem is intact; giving us the confidence to | | | | experiences have taught us will work best to get our |
| communicate without games or manipulation. | | | | needs met in each specific situation. If you take a really |
| When we are being assertive, we work hard to | | | | good look at yourself you've probably used each style |
| create mutually satisfying solutions and we | | | | throughout your lifetime in different situations with |
| communicate our needs clearly and forthrightly. We | | | | certain people. |
| care about the relationship and strive for a "win/win" | | | | Understanding the four basic types of communication |
| situation. We know our limits and refuse to be pushed | | | | will help you learn how to RESPOND most effectively |
| beyond them just because someone else wants or | | | | when confronted with a difficult person. It is very |
| needs something from us. | | | | important that you always use "SELF-CONTROL" and |
| Assertive communication is the ability to express | | | | do NOT "REACT"! This is a skill learned through |
| positive and negative ideas and feelings in an open, | | | | personal development. When we "react" to someone |
| honest, and direct way. It recognizes our rights while | | | | we have just given our power away! It will also help |
| still respecting the rights of others. It allows us to take | | | | you to recognize when you are using manipulative |
| responsibility for ourselves and our actions without | | | | behavior to get your own needs met. |
| judging or blaming other people. It is a key to success | | | | Remember, you always have a choice as to which |
| and it allows us to constructively confront and find a | | | | communication style you use. If you're serious about |
| mutually satisfying solution where conflict exists. | | | | taking control of your life it is best to practice being |
| Surprisingly, this assertive is the style most people use | | | | more assertive. It will help you diffuse anger, reduce |
| LEAST! Isn’t this amazing? | | | | guilt, and build relationships - both personally and |
| Aggressive Communication | | | | professionally. This is a "key to success" and a |
| Aggressive communication always involves | | | | principle that requires a high degree of self-confidence |
| manipulation. We may attempt to make people do | | | | and discipline. |
| what we want by inducing guilt, hurt, by using | | | | Action Steps: |
| intimidation, and control tactics (such as anger). Covert | | | | 1. To communicate effectively begin to pay attention to |
| or overt, we simply want our needs met--right now! | | | | which communication styles you use throughout the |
| Although there are a few arenas where aggressive | | | | day. How often do you use a communication style |
| behavior is called for (i.e., sports or war), it will never | | | | other than "ASSERTIVE"? |
| work in a relationship. Ironically, the more aggressive | | | | 2. Watch and identify the communication styles some |
| sports rely heavily on team members and rational | | | | of the difficult people in your life use. Can you begin to |
| coaching strategies. Even war might be avoided if we | | | | notice how others use manipulative techniques to get |
| could learn to be more assertive and negotiate to | | | | their way? Learning communication effectively will |
| solve our problems. | | | | increase your success in all of your relationships and it |
| Passive Communication | | | | is the only one that is a "key to success". |