Question

Please discuss critically the Assertive and Aggressive communication styles. Provide an example for each style to support your arguments.

Answer 1

Solution -

People use different communication styles to meet and suit their objectives and positions. Two such styles of communication are Assertive & Aggressive. Both are very different styles are carried out in a manner that can help to differentiate one from the other. Let's discuss each style and evaluate with an example -  

1. Assertive style is one where the communication is not overbearing but the person communicating pushes her or his point. The point of contention here is not made overbearing on the audience and the articulation is maintained in a manner that is respectful and dignified. The manner of expression in this type of communication is backed by the usage of individual expressions such as the words - 'I' and 'My' but there is empathy as well. This communication style is very much welcomed and is considered to be effective even in most volatile situations.

Illustration - Suppose you are negotiating from the management side in a labor-management dispute in a large conglomerate. The labor union leaders have kept their demands and are threatening to strike action if the demands are not met and you have to put up a point by point rationale to drop off the unreasonable demands and only agree to 40% of the total demands. You begin your address on a sympathetic note and empathize with the audience. Then you begin with the demands that are reasonably acceptable. You continue further and put up your rationales for dropping off the demands that cannot be accepted. Further, you continue to stress upon the unity of labor and management and be polite in your behavior. This is an assertive style of communication where you have made your point but did not put across your communication in such a manner that the other party feels offended or disrespected.

2. Aggressive style of communication is such where the communicator tries to force her or his point without any empathy and tries to be overbearing on the audience by their mannerism. There are usages of unacceptable words and the manners are loud as if one wishes to hold a dominant position. In an aggressive style, the communicator is somewhat critical and takes an attacking mode. It is like a threatening way of communication and creates very uncomfortable and volatile situations.

Illustration - Taking the same example of the labor-management dispute, suppose now when you begin your address you come straight to the point and begin by stating the demands that are accepted and show that you are obliging the labor unit. You stress upon that the management is doing enough and labor support is required. You start shooting down the demands with the management rationales and are brunt in your points without consideration of the labor union members. This type of communication style is aggressive and harsh.