1. Communication Styles

2. What is Communication
Communication is not just about what you say, but about how you say it
Your communication style is a SET of various behaviours and methods of relaying info that will impact all aspects of life
The GOAL should always be to understand, not to be right, or win over the other person.

3. Basics of Effective Communication
Get the facts before you pass judgment
Try and keep emotions out of the picture – sort of like a judge listening to both sides before making a decision
Learning the 3 styles is important in order to avoid communicating in less effective ways, and in order to recognize those styles in others so as to be able to deal with them

4. Nonassertive (Passive)
Afraid to risk the consequences
Don’t believe in your own rights
Don’t know how to speak up for yourself
Think another person’s rights are more important than your own
You let the other person “walk over you.”

5. Aggressive
Saying what you think, feel, want, or believe in ways that deny another person’s right to be treated with respect
You try to “beat” them: “I win, you lose”
Examples:
Anger, meanness, hurtfulness, putdowns, spitefulness

6. Assertive Saying what you think, feel, want or believe:
In ways that don’t damage another person’s right to be treated with respect
In straightforward, non-threatening ways
In ways that don’t deny your own right

7. Passive-Aggressive
Behaves passively to people’s face, then aggressively when they are not around
The goal is to avoid face-to-face conflict, and then make the other party wish they had seen it his/her way
Likes to manipulate; often uses sarcasm
Example: purposely doing a poor job on an assignment