Blog Post #1

 Understanding Your Communication Style

    The blog titled, "Understanding Your Communication Style", on the Princeton University's U Matter website, defines how different communication styles vary between individuals during their day to day life. 

    Firstly, the article begins to define how communication is a process of sharing information between two or more people, and how within the communication that is occurring their are specific styles that can vary based on that certain individual's personality, culture and experiences. The blog then describes the four common communication styles, being passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. 

    Having passive communication is when the individual prioritizes others' thoughts and opinions while avoiding to express their own needs and feelings. This style lets you rely on others rather than yourself but in the future could lead to misunderstanding or resentment. This is also used when trying to avoid tension or conflict, overall a great communication option to use when a conflict may rise to violence. 

    Next, aggressive communication is characterized by dominating confrontation that may in turn lead to violence. Being both defensive or hostile when confronted by others. Expression is heavily used here giving your own thoughts and ideas but at the expense of ignoring others. Can definitely help your needs quickly but will hurt others at some point.

    Thirdly, passive-aggressive communication is when an individual appears to be passive on the outside but is indirectly expressing resentment or anger. This form of communication uses sarcasm and indirect communication further on avoiding total confrontation. In my opinion not a good communication style to have. 

    Lastly, assertive communication the most effective form of communication. By being direct and honest while also respecting the ideas, needs, and feelings of others. However may be misinterpreted as assertive behavior or even a form of threat when used on certain individuals. 

    From the information listed above these forms of communication are definitely used in all types of workplaces from both big to small businesses. Also to relate to the article personally, I find myself using passive communication most of the time, not trying to involve myself in any form of conflict and in general trying to, "lay low". But lately, after some experiences through working and having group assignments in college I've seen myself taking the more assertive approach to which I'm personally satisfied with. 

Princeton University. (n.d.). Princeton University Umatter. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://umatter.princeton.edu/respect/tools/communication-styles