I Am A ____ Communicator?The first step is to determine which type of communicator you are. Doing this will help to determine the obstacles that you’re likely to face and the strategies that will be most effective to enhance your communication style. Keep in mind that you may exhibit multiple communication styles, depending on the situation and/or your state of mind.

Types of Communication:

1. Passive. Those that are passive communicators do not freely share their opinions, wants, or needs. They do this to avoid any conflict, regardless of the cost. Along with avoiding conflict, you will often find that passive people also frequently avoid eye contact and are exceptionally reserved. They also are known for acting in a way that doesn't offend people.

Passive Characteristics:

• Give in to unreasonable demands.

• Mimic the opinions of others.

• Loathe providing criticism to anyone.

• Avoid standing out in any way by not saying or doing anything that might attract attention or disapproval.

The major problem with being passive is that you are not in control of your own life. You're ultimately giving much of the control of your life over to others and instead of focusing on your desires and wants, you instead focus on theirs.

Since your needs and wants aren't addressed, you’re more likely to suffer from depression and feelings of hopelessness than those who are not passive communicators.

This results in a feeling of powerlessness. Instead of interacting daily with the world, you might instead find yourself start to withdraw from it more.

2. Aggressive. An aggressive communicator seeks to fulfill personal wants and needs without awareness, or interest of the wants and needs of

others. In many ways, the aggressive person is the opposite of the passive. He will not submit, but instead wants others to.

Aggressive Characteristics:

• A need to control the situation.

• Speaks over people without thinking.

• Is not aware that their behavior is contributing to relationship problems they are having.