There are three primary communication styles - aggressive, passive, and assertive. Assertiveness is a skill that can be learned with practice even if we tend to lean toward aggressive or passive styles initially. Here are the differences:
Aggressive
<ul>
<li>Defends own rights, even at the expense of others’</li>
<li>Inconsiderate of others</li>
<li>Prone to hostile interpretations</li>
<li>Less equipped to mitigate responses by integrating environmental clues</li>
<li>Speaks loudly with anger or irritation</li>
<li>Judgmental eye contact</li>
<li>Goal is to win</li>
</ul>
Passive
<ul>
<li>Does not defend own rights</li>
<li>Inconsiderate of self</li>
<li>Preoccupied with satisfying others and avoiding conflict</li>
<li>Conforms vs. expressing own thoughts, feelings, or opinions</li>
<li>Speaks softly</li>
<li>Avoids eye contact</li>
<li>Goal is to please others</li>
</ul>
Assertive
<ul>
<li>Defends rights of self and others objectively and respectfully via skills</li>
<li>Considerate of self and others</li>
<li>Able to express own thoughts, feelings, and opinions; and support others to do the same</li>
<li>Speaks confidently, clearly, and purposefully</li>
<li>Maintains appropriate eye contact</li>
<li>Goal is to express needs of self or others</li>
</ul>
Practicing assertive communication with your coach is a great way to get started.&nbsp;

There are three primary communication styles - aggressive, passive, and assertive. Assertiveness is a skill that can be learned with practice even if we tend to lean toward aggressive or passive styles initially. Here are the differences:

Aggressive

 * Defends own rights, even at the expense of others’
 * Inconsiderate of others
 * Prone to hostile interpretations
 * Less equipped to mitigate responses by integrating environmental clues
 * Speaks loudly with anger or irritation
 * Judgmental eye contact
 * Goal is to win

Passive

 * Does not defend own rights
 * Inconsiderate of self
 * Preoccupied with satisfying others and avoiding conflict
 * Conforms vs. expressing own thoughts, feelings, or opinions
 * Speaks softly
 * Avoids eye contact
 * Goal is to please others

Assertive

 * Defends rights of self and others objectively and respectfully via skills
 * Considerate of self and others
 * Able to express own thoughts, feelings, and opinions; and support others to do the same
 * Speaks confidently, clearly, and purposefully
 * Maintains appropriate eye contact
 * Goal is to express needs of self or others

Practicing assertive communication with your coach is a great way to get started. 

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