Communication Styles in Relationships

If you are finding it difficult, to get your message across the widening gap between you and your partner or associates, then a brief spell of introspection may help you understand the importance of communication skills or communication styles in relationships. A communication, bounded by individuals at its both ends, is affected by whatever reason that drives these individuals. These individuals may be drivers of a conversations, outspoken, relaters or analytical in a conversation.

The conversation flows, depending on their personality types A B C and D to a great extent. Consciously or unconsciously, we use different levels or communication styles in relationships with these people, so as to to maintain it afloat. Knowing the psychology of communication could help you in ironing the little hitches and twitches in your style to suit the different types of communication.

Communication Issues in Relationships

Communication or conversation acts as a lubricant in a relationship. However, a conversation across different communication styles in a relationship is hazardous and few manage it smoothly. The basic nature of the person is most apparent whilst he or she is in communication with others. The logical or emotional aspect of a person's personality not only dominates his or her perceptions but also tings communication styles in relationships. The communication styles in relationships take the following forms:

• Passive
• Aggressive
• Assertive

Communication Styles in Relationships - Passive: Using passive communication, you tend to give priority to the welfare of others over yours. This results in, you giving the impression to others that you have a very low self image and inferiority complex to yourself. Your verbal communication borders on the softness and your tentative voice gives it an apologetic note. Your body language or non-verbal communication is full of excessive head nodding, stooped posture, avoiding eye contact and looking down or away as if you are searching, unsuccessfully, for the clues, to advance the conversation in thin air. In business leadership or business communication this style is hardly of any use.

Is this form of communication style in relationships harmful? Yes!, it is. Using passive communication, you do everything in a conversation, but expressing yourself which is the heart of the conversation. It erodes your self esteem, confidence and makes you angry at yourself. It earns you pity and disrespect from the others who are part of the relationship.

Communication Styles in Relationships - Aggressive: The antithesis of the passive communication style, this, among the communication styles in relationships, expresses " I am Ok, you are not Ok". The practitioner of an aggressive communication style is very much aware of what is good for him. However, he or she is not very particular about who gets hurt, while they are achieving it. Verbal communication is loud and is a means of letting others know how superior these people are. Non-verbal communication or body language is aggressive. The clenched tight fist, rigid body posture and the staring eyes are enough to intimidate the other individual. Adopting this style of communication is a sure shot way of earning anger and disrespect from others.

Communication Styles in Relationships - Assertive: The best among all the communication styles in relationships which is very conducive to healthy relationships. You can employ an assertive style from the various other communication styles, to nourish and cement them. Your attitude speaks of the "You are Ok, I am Ok", approach. You value the rights of the individual you are in a relationship with, but not at the cost of yours. Your communication bestows importance and equal status to others and signifies emptiness of trampling each other in whatever race you are. "Both of us can win", is your message to the others, "by fulfilling our part of the bargain". Communication styles in the workplace based on this style can lead to effective communication in the workplace which results in productivity. Read more on techniques for effective corporate communication.

Relationship Communication Tips

The basic difference in the communication styles between men and women lie in the purpose of communication. Studies show that boys use communication for the purpose of deciding the pecking order among them. On the other hand girls use communication to intimate and feel close to the people they choose to talk to. Communication is more of a stress buster activity when it comes to girls. The differences in the intentions of the communication together with barriers to effective communication leads to lack of communication in relationships. Here are some relationship communication tips to overcome them.

• Express Yourself: An individual with the emotional thrust behind his personality gets bottled up, if he or she is not allowed express himself or herself. Talk freely, clearly, even at the cost of ridicule or derision.
• Clarify Ideas: If your partner's personality is logically driven, then it means that he or she needs you to clarify some of your ideas. Clarify them to him or her.
• Differentiate Between Feelings and Behavior: It may be the case that your partner did or said something which hurt you immensely. Whatever the other did could be unintentional or it might be that your feeling hurt was more far fetched than what was intended. Try to fathom your feelings for their source. Talk openly about it rather than that of the behavior.
• Assertive and Nagging: A nagging person doesn't give solutions to a problem which could help a relationship. An assertive personality may solve a problem by sharing relationship advice as a solution with you.

Listening to others is a great skill when it comes to understanding others and makes the least thanked part of the communication. Improving interpersonal communication is the key to an easy and fruitful relationship i.e. teamwork. With the proper use of this tool you can fit into any communication styles in relationships.