Without a doubt, good business communication levels are very important in success of entrepreneurs. However, we are still people, so conflicts and miscommunications will naturally occur. Despite of that, we can think of ways to minimize them or stop when they arise. In this article, we will analyse different ways and styles that we can use to communicate.
It is obvious that everybody possesses his own communication style. What is more, it usually changes according to the situation we are in, the situation we communicate in and our interlocutor. There is plenty of different styles of communication and each of them possesses different name and characteristics. There is also many various approaches on how to use them. Still, they do not differ very much between each other. Because of that, the limited list on different communication styles with specific guidance on when to use each of them with specific name, pros and cons does not exist.
Nevertheless, we can identify some basic division of communication styles with some key characteristics of each of them and identify which one minimizes the risk of conflict.
The first analysed one will be assertive style. It is usually described as the golden mean between slightly too extreme styles usually defined as too aggressive or too passive. When communicating assertively we know our value and limits. We also usually possess lots of empathy then. This style is what may be surprising the most used one.
However, obviously there are situations when it is no longer used. Sadly, then communication process can be negatively affected by unnecessary used passive-aggressive or aggressive styles. At times, business communication can be a stressful one. In such times, we cannot let the emotions rule us. There are different quite subjective strategies on how to fight off the conflict. The key to that is that we discuss the problem not emotionally. Sometimes we could fall in the trap of using aggressive style of communication without even realising. Because of that, it could be a good idea to simply rethink the problem or the situation and return to the case after a while. On the other hand, we cannot hide our emotions or problems inside too much as they will only grow more and more until the escalation of conflict or more preferably solution. You should not be too submissive and avoid conflict too much. Sometimes even heated discussion can solve many problems and affect your relations in the future.
The nature of conflict can be also different in various ways of communication. In the one, which takes place in person, it is harder to hide specific emotions whereas if other communication channel is used, sometimes the conflict can stay unrevealed for the long period. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that in order not to create conflicts you should find the golden mean between being too submissive and too demanding, but do not be afraid if the problem sometimes arises, as it is something natural. However, with good communication levels you can diminish number of conflicts or quickly solve them if they develop.
If you wish to improve your communication skills, we invite you to try the Communication module on Let’s Guide interactive platform!