To become an effective communicator requires that we know our strengths and weakness. This allows us to more easily discover our style of communication. On the general spectrum of communication styles, we can label the three most common styles as Aggressive, Passive, and Assertive.
Aggressive and passive are at extreme opposite sides of the spectrum, while the assertive style is middle of the road. While no one style is better than another, an assertive style does give you the most flexibility and adaptability to communicate more effectively with all types of people. The key word here is adaptability.
In one-on-one interactions or in large groups of like-minded people, you need to be able to adapt your style to the particular style of the group or person with whom you are communicating. To communicate in their style, not your style, 
is the key. And this is better achieved with an assertive style of communication because it’s easier than going from the polar opposites of aggressive to passive, or vice versa. In my video, How to Help Strengthen Assertiveness, I discuss the various traits associated with Aggressive, Passive, and Assertive communicators. I also provide you with three tips for moving away from either polar opposite on the scale of communication and landing somewhere in the middle, helping you to develop as an assertive communicator for best results.
Strategies that Turn It Around!
- Be clear. Be very clear about your values and priorities when communicating with others. Never compromise who you are just to fit in. When you compromise your communication style, you start to lose your effectiveness as a communicator.
- Be confident. Look, act, and feel confident. Sometimes, being confident isn’t easy. It’s, therefore, a good idea to give the impression that you are a confident person, even when you’re not. Fake it ‘til you make it.
- Say No. Saying no may not be an easy thing to do for everyone. However, learning to say no will help you to develop your confidence. Learning to say no will take some time, like any new learned behavior. When you say yes always, you’re living someone else’s values, not yours. Therefore, you’ll need to be persistent and consistent with saying no.
Remember: Aggressive and passive styles of communication are at extreme opposites on the spectrum of communication styles. An assertive style of communication falls between the two styles, thus giving you more adaptability to communicate with a greater number of people across the entire communication spectrum without having to become too dominant or too negative.
Do you have an assertive communication style? If so, how has it helped you in your communication efforts? Have you used other styles of communication effectively? If so, how? Please share your experiences in the Comments section below. I look forward to engaging with you and your comments.