Communication Styles Ch. 3

Communication Styles - Purpose To develop additional communication skills in a way that will enable you to: Achieve results with and through others Give and receive information more accurately Influence and draw out others Resolve conflict Reach team decisions through consensus So that commitment and understanding are the key results.

Communication Styles Course Objectives Be able to identify the five communication styles and the four communication behaviors, and how they relate to your personal communication style. Given a communication situation, be able to identify correctly the different communication behaviors of the participants. Be able to describe two of the ways that one acts towards others in each of the four communication behaviors.

Communication Styles Pattern of behavior used in pursuing goals Communication styles are defined by the way in which an individual or group utilized or combines “A” and “R” communication patterns.

1. The Developmental Style The individual integrates assertive (a) and responsive (r) behavior. Does not put others down. Expresses opinions, asks questions, explores and integrates ideas and alternatives. Confronts conflict, concerned with building commitment toward mutually understood solutions. The emphasis is on development of joint commitment based on goals, beliefs and feelings of all who are involved.

Developmental Assertive Responsive Inform Persuade Control Explore Summarize Identify Developmental – If the individual integrates assertive and responsive behaviors, the style is Developmental

Developmental Assertive Responsive Assertive Inform Persuade Control Responsive Explore Summarize Identify Aggressive Patronize Attack Dominate Put others down Non-Assertive Wishy-Washy Put self down Overly apologetic Defensive

2. The Controlling Style The individual stays primarily in the “A” pattern. Gives information, sells, persuades. May at times enforce or impose his or her ideas or put people down. Tends to suppress disagreement. Concerned with getting things to work out the way he or she feels they should. The emphasis is on what “I want,” “I believe,” and “I feel.”

Controlling Style “A” Pattern Assertive Inform Persuade Convince Control Aggressive Patronize Attack Dominate Put others Down Controlling

3. The Accommodating Style The individual stays primarily in the “R” pattern. Asks questions, listens, shows understanding. At times may become apologetic of self-demeaning. Tends to smooth over or harmonize disagreement. Tries to have others feel good about the situation. The emphasis is on what “You want, “You believe,” and “You feel.”

Accommodating Style “R” Pattern Responsive Explore Summarize Identify Non-Assertive Wishy-Washy Put self down Overly Apologetic Accommodating

4. The Negotiating Style The individual uses both “A” and “R” patterns and may occasionally become aggressive or non-assertive. Would rather compromise than confront Differences. Looks for middle-of-the-road, acceptable courses of action. The emphasis is on workable, reasonable decisions rather than the best possible solution.

Negotiating Style “A” and “R” The individual moves between controlling and accommodating; bargains, compromises but does not confront or integrate differing views. Negotiating Controlling Accommodating

5. The Defensive Style The individual operates in a “fight” or “flight” mode. May be aggressive or non-assertive most of the time. May vacillate between aggressive and non-assertive. Under conflict the individual attacks others or withdraws. The emphasis is on protection or on enhancing one’s self, not on solving problems or involving others.

Defensive Style Aggressive Non-Assertive Patronize Attack Dominate Put Others Down Non-Assertive Wishy-Washy Put self down Overly Apologetic Defensive

The Communication Module Developmental Assertive-Responsive A/R Assertive A/r Responsive a/R Accommodating Negotiating Controlling Non-Assertive N/A Aggressive A/G Defensive

The “R” Pattern of Interaction React toward others Responsively Explore Summarize Actively Listen Identify React toward others Non-Assertively Wishy-Washy Put self down Overly apologetic

The “A” Pattern of Interaction Act toward others Assertively Inform Persuade Convince Control Act toward others Aggressively Patronize Attach Dominate Put others Down

Possible Answers for Team Meeting Exercise A/R – Being Assertive Response A/r – Being Assertive not Responsive a/R – Being Responsive not Assertive A/G – An Aggressive Response N/A – Non Assertive Response

Name YES Pd. 1 Date Ch. 3 Quiz List 5 Communication Styles Number 1-5~May use your notes.