Communication styles are the particular way each person conveys ideas, emotions, and opinions. And this isn’t only done with words, but also through tone of voice and gestures.

We all develop a style of communicating, shaped by our personality, experience, and environment. These differences influence how we build connections, resolve disagreements, and collaborate with others.

In the workplace, it’s key for adapting to different work dynamics—especially if you freelance or work with remote teams. Plus, understanding what communication styles are and identifying which one you use helps you anticipate reactions and express ideas with greater empathy.

So stick around and discover it in this post.

What communication styles are, which ones exist, and how to identify them

What are communication styles?

They are the habitual ways we adopt to speak or express ourselves. Each combines verbal language, tone, gestures, and attitudes that directly influence how the message is interpreted.

Why should you know them?

First, because it’s necessary to build effective communication. It also lets you recognize the intention behind each conversation and respond more empathetically and effectively.

By developing this skill, you can strengthen interpersonal relationships, improve collaboration, and minimize misunderstandings. So, let’s see which ones exist…

What are the main communication styles?

Types of interpersonal communication can be classified according to the style the sender adopts to express their ideas:

• Passive communication.

• Aggressive communication.

• Passive–aggressive communication.

• Assertive communication.

• Manipulative communication.

The characteristics of someone who adopts these communication styles are as follows:

These styles are reference points for reflecting on how you communicate.

How to identify your communication style

Because there are different communicative styles, it’s important to identify them to choose more intentional responses in your relationships. It’s not about judging yourself, but about understanding your habits.

Below are some practices that can help:

Reflect on your way of communicating

Start with a self-assessment to determine how you usually express yourself.

You can also apply the Deep Work principle to gain greater clarity. This means focusing fully on a conversation you have, without distractions or automatic judgments.

Think about recent conversations:

• Do you tend to stay quiet or dominate?

• Is it hard for you to say no?

• Do you use humor or sarcasm to express anger?

This exercise helps you spot recurring patterns. At the same time, it helps you recognize whether your style leans more toward passivity, aggressiveness, assertiveness, or a mix.

Observe your verbal and nonverbal signals

Pay attention to your tone of voice, volume, posture, gestures, and eye contact—especially when there are disagreements. That says a lot about which communicative style you’re adopting in that moment.

Use tools and feedback

You can lean on communication-style tests or brief behavior questionnaires. You just answer a set of predesigned questions.

If that doesn’t convince you, ask someone you trust to describe how they see you or how they feel when you talk about a topic.

How to improve your communication style

Improving your communication style doesn’t mean changing who you are, but adjusting how you express what you think and feel. This will help you create more clarity and trust with the people around you.

The following ideas help you improve your communication style in simple ways:

• Practice active listening. When someone speaks to you, look at them and avoid distractions. Don’t think only about what you’ll reply; ask questions, paraphrase what you understood, and check whether you’re capturing their message correctly.

• Use clear, positive language. Try not to speak with ambiguities, hints, or sarcasm. Explain what you need or feel with simple phrases and, when possible, in a constructive tone.

• Regulate your emotions before responding. If you’re very upset or defensive, breathe, take a pause, and respond when you can express yourself calmly.

• Foster empathy and mutual respect. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, validate their point of view even if you don’t share it, and be mindful of how you say things.

• Choose the right moment to talk. A conversation flows better when both parties are willing to listen and participate actively. Look for a calm context where both can pay attention.

• Make pauses and allow for silence. Listening also means knowing when to stay quiet. Pauses help you reflect, process information, and allow the other person to speak without feeling pressured.

You can always adjust how you speak and listen so your messages are clearer and more respectful. But you have to be willing to do your part.

Practical examples of communication styles

Communication styles show up in all kinds of situations, both in personal life and at work.

Here are some examples:

Feedback to a team member

When giving feedback, an assertive person says:

“I’d like you to include these additional data points in the next report so we have a more complete view.”

In contrast, a passive–aggressive person would use ironic phrases like:

“Well, maybe one day we’ll manage to get a complete report…”

Communication in remote teams

In virtual environments, it’s also necessary to adapt communication styles so every voice can be heard.

On a Google Meet video call, you can observe different styles among team participants:

• An assertive person looks at the camera, waits their turn to speak, summarizes their ideas, and encourages others to participate.

• If someone adopts an aggressive style, they monopolize the conversation and talk over others.

• A passive person barely chimes in—even if they have something important to say.

Messages through visual content

A communicative style is also present in visual content via nonverbal communication.
In marketing, for example, color psychology is used as a tool to convey specific emotions (trust, urgency, calm). In this case, the choice of colors, shapes, and design can show whether the message is more direct, approachable, or aggressive.

• An assertive message uses balanced colors (like blues or greens) and an orderly design that invites action without pressure.

• An aggressive message tends to use strong contrasts and imperative phrases that create a sense of urgency or pressure.

Emails and written messages

The manipulative style can appear in guilt-tinged phrases like:

“I was only trying to help, but…”

Whereas an assertive person would send messages that are clear, concise, and use positive language.

As you can see, communicative styles aren’t just a matter of personality; they also impact the professional sphere.

In fact, a ResearchGate study positively associates assertive communication with performance—unlike aggressive and passive styles, which can decrease productivity.

Conclusion

Communication styles influence everything you do—whether you’re at home, working, with friends, or even on social media.

Recognizing your style and/or learning to adapt it based on the situation is necessary to have more effective relationships. It’s not a mere practical exercise, but a way to determine how you express yourself, how you’re perceived, and how clear your messages are.

Therefore, knowing communication styles can essentially improve the quality of your connections. Likewise, DolarApp has the capacity to optimize your financial transactions.

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Frequently asked questions

What are communication styles?

They are the different ways we express our thoughts and emotions in a conversation. This includes the tone, words, and gestures we use, and determines how our messages are interpreted.

What are the most common styles?

The most common communicative styles are assertive, passive, aggressive, passive–aggressive, and manipulative. Each reflects a different way of expressing needs, emotions, and opinions in front of others.

How do I know which style I have?

Observe how you speak, how you listen, and how you react during a conversation. Self-assessments and feedback from other people also help determine your dominant communication style.

How can I improve my communication at work?

Beyond speaking clearly, improvement involves empathy, self-control, and adaptability—though to do that you first need to discover your style. Being aware of it will help you connect better with colleagues and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Sources:

ResearchGate study

Tests on communication styles