Communication Styles

Believes others are always more important, so it doesn’t matter what they think anyway.

Avoids eye contact, looks down, teary, pleading

Makes body smaller --stooped, leaning, hunched shoulders

 fidgety, clammy hands

Consequences: because they give in, they don't get what person wants/needs, miserable, self-critical

Believes or acts as if all the individuals involved are equal

Believes everyone deserves respect and is no more entitled than the other

Warm, welcoming, friendly, comfortable, eye contact

Relaxed, open, welcoming

Open, friendly, and appropriate gestures

Consequences: Good relationships with others, happy with outcome and to compromise

Believes they are entitled to have things done their way, the way they want it to be done, because they are right and other (and their needs) are less important. 

Narrow, emotionless, staring, expressionless

Makes body bigger-- upright, head high, shoulders out, hands on hips, feet apart

Pointing fingers, making fists, clenched, hands on hips

Consequences: Make enemies, upset others and self, feel angry and resentful