Personality and Effective Communication in the Workplace

In the constantly evolving world of modern work, effectively making yourself understood is more important than ever. Communication is the key to professional success, and assertive communication skills – i.e., the ability to directly, honestly, and respectfully express your thoughts, feelings, and needs – are fundamental for effective communication in the workplace.

Assertive communication exists in a sweet spot between passivity (not speaking up for yourself) and aggression (disregarding the needs of others to get what you want). It enables you to collaborate productively with colleagues, solve problems, advocate for your ideas, set healthy boundaries, and build strong professional relationships that are based on mutual respect.

For some people, however, assertive communication doesn’t always come naturally. Your personality traits can significantly impact how comfortable and skilled you are with confidently expressing your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Factors like how Introverted or Extraverted you are, how you process information, and your emotional responsiveness all play a role in your default communication styles, for better or worse.

In this article, we’ll explore how the different aspects of personality influence assertive communication in the workplace. Our goal is to help you develop greater self-awareness about your communication tendencies and to provide specific strategies for communicating more assertively, no matter your personality type.

Personality Traits and Assertive Communication

Understanding how the different facets of your personality impact your communication style empowers you to leverage your strengths and develop more coherent strategies to overcome any challenges that you may have communicating at work.

With that in mind, let’s briefly explore how each personality trait may impact workplace communication.

Extraverted vs. Introverted

Extraversion and Introversion can significantly influence an individual’s communication style in the workplace. Extraverted personalities tend to be more outgoing, sociable, and comfortable with verbal communication. They often find it easier to express themselves and are more likely to speak up in meetings, share ideas, and engage in dialogue with colleagues.

On the other hand, Introverted individuals typically prefer to process information internally and may feel drained by extensive social interaction. This can make it challenging for them to voice their opinions or advocate for their needs, especially in a group setting. They usually prefer to avoid confrontation and often keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves.

Intuitive vs. Observant

Though it might not be immediately obvious, the Intuitive and Observant traits also impact an individual’s approach to communication in the workplace. Intuitive personality types tend to focus more on the big picture when expressing themselves and may be more interested in exploring possibilities, discussing long-term strategies, and considering multiple perspectives. While these are generally helpful tendencies, Intuitive types may have difficulty channeling broad thoughts through concise communication.

Observant individuals tend to be more grounded in practical details and focused on addressing specific, concrete issues. Their narrower focus may cause them to miss the bigger picture or exclude other people’s perspectives or ideas from whatever problem they are tackling or challenge they are trying to solve.

Thinking vs. Feeling

Thinking personality types tend to be more direct and logical in their communication style, basing their statements on objective criteria and often prioritizing facts, data, and rational arguments when expressing their ideas or concerns. This approach often results in clear, unambiguous communication but may sometimes come across as harsh or insensitive to others, especially if they forget to consider the emotional impact of their words.

At the other end of the spectrum are Feeling types, who typically prioritize harmony and consider others’ emotions when communicating, adapting how they express themselves according to the person they are speaking with. They tend to be more tactful in their approach, with the goal of maintaining positive relationships within the team. This is highly effective for building rapport and facilitating collaboration. Feeling personalities may struggle to be direct or firm when necessary, however, fearing that they may hurt others’ feelings, damage their relationships, or cause conflict.

Judging vs. Prospecting

Judging personality types are typically more structured and decisive in their communication style, preferring to have things settled and decided. They often value clarity, organization, and closure. Judging types appreciate clear expectations (both for themselves and for others) and typically value giving and receiving specific, actionable feedback. They may sometimes struggle with flexibility or openness to new ideas, however, which can hinder effective communication in certain contexts.

Prospecting individuals tend to be more adaptable and open to new approaches. When it comes to assertive communication, they may be more willing to consider alternative viewpoints, explore multiple options, and find creative solutions. They may also be more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, which may hinder them when it comes to firmly expressing their needs or sticking to a particular course of action. This may lead to confusion or a lack of direction in the workplace.

Assertive vs. Turbulent

Regardless of personality type, Assertive individuals are more likely to remain calm and self-assured when effective communication in the workplace becomes challenging. They are more likely to find it easier to express themselves confidently and stand their ground when necessary. In general, Assertive types are less likely to doubt themselves or second-guess their decisions, allowing them to communicate their thoughts more assertively. If their Assertive tendencies become unbalanced, they may come across as overly confident or dismissive of others’ perspectives.

Turbulent personalities, however, may struggle with self-doubt and emotional reactivity. In challenging situations, they may become either more passive in their communication style, possibly withdrawing from difficult conversations altogether, or inappropriately aggressive, becoming overly forceful when trying to make a point or communicate their needs. Their heightened self-awareness can also be a real asset, however, allowing them to more readily adapt how they communicate to different situations and audiences.

Developing Assertive Communication Skills

As previously mentioned, developing self-awareness about your personality traits and how they impact your communication in the workplace is a crucial first step toward improving your professional communication skills. This understanding allows you to more clearly identify specific areas for growth.

Growth is the inevitable outcome of finding balance within those areas of your personality that may be problematically lopsided. Let’s say you are someone with a powerful Judging trait, for example. You’ve realized that your lack of flexibility and adaptability make you come across as rigid in your workplace communication. Or maybe you are strongly Prospecting and struggle to clearly communicate your expectations because you don’t exactly have clearly defined expectations to begin with.

By recognizing these imbalances and where they stem from, you can look to the other side of the personality trait spectrum for inspiration in your personal growth journey. A Judging type may decide to intentionally embrace the flexibility that defines Prospecting types, for example, and make an effort to stay more open-minded to the unexpected possibilities that their coworkers propose. Or a Prospecting type may consciously embrace the Judging preference for clearly defined goals and make a more concerted effort to outline specific objectives before trying to communicate their expectations to others.

By observing and learning from those who exhibit the traits that you wish to develop, you can work on intentionally incorporating those qualities into your own communication style. You could even choose to lean on people with the opposing trait for assistance by directly asking for help or constructive criticism. This strategy can ultimately lead to more balanced and effective communication in the workplace.

Keeping all that in mind as a base strategy for moving forward, we want to offer you some additional advice for improving your assertive communication skills. As you read through each of the following tips, we encourage you to think about which specific aspects of your personality may come into play and impact the way that you express yourself.

Then consider how you might successfully incorporate each tip into your communication style to move beyond passivity or dial back from a more aggressive approach and become a more balanced and assertive communicator in your workplace.

Tips for Becoming a More Assertive Communicator at Work (for More Passive Types)

Believe in Your Own Worth

Developing a solid sense of self-worth is the foundation of assertive communication, which is built upon you recognizing that your thoughts, feelings, and needs are just as valid as anyone else’s. When you notice that you want to back down from saying something important, try giving yourself a pep talk, as if you were your own best friend. Remind yourself of your strengths and all of the ways that you contribute to the workplace, then speak up.

Be Specific and Direct

Clearly communicate your needs, expectations, and boundaries. Avoid beating around the bush or hoping that others will read between the lines. If you struggle with this, it can be helpful to organize your thoughts before you speak or to practice saying the specific thoughts that you want to express out loud. Use simple vocabulary, and tailor your message to the person you are speaking with.

Use Confident Body Language

Make eye contact, sit or stand straight, and use a clear, steady voice. Confident, nonverbal communication reinforces your assertive message. For some personality types, practicing this kind of impactful body language in private before an important meeting or conversation will help to build up confidence in mannerisms that may not feel natural.

Set Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries is an essential aspect of self-care and self-respect, and it ultimately leads to healthier, more balanced relationships in and out of the workplace. Know your limits and communicate them clearly to others. Don’t be afraid to say no when necessary to protect your time, energy, or well-being. If this feels uncomfortable for you, try practicing gentler phrases, such as “I’m not comfortable with that” or “I need to focus on my own tasks right now.”

Tips for Becoming a More Assertive Communicator at Work (for More Aggressive Types)

Practice Active Listening

Pay attention to what others say and intentionally show that you value their perspectives. One simple way to do this is to compassionately ask clarifying questions that demonstrate your desire to fully understand what someone is saying, rather than aggressively questioning them or not saying anything at all. Then, in your own words, reflect back on their key points. This helps create a respectful, collaborative environment where everyone feels heard.

Use “I” Statements

When expressing your thoughts or needs, start sentences with “I” rather than “you.” For example, say “I feel overwhelmed when given multiple tasks at once” instead of “You always give me too much work.” This helps you take ownership of your feelings and avoids placing blame on others. If this feels uncomfortable at first, try practicing these types of statements in low-stakes situations to build up your confidence with this type of communication.

Practice Empathy

Try to understand others’ perspectives and feelings, even if you disagree with them. Then infuse that understanding into your conversations. This helps you respectfully communicate while being considerate of others’ needs. Use your active listening skills and pepper your conversations with empathetic statements like “I can understand how that can be challenging.” Avoid making assumptions or judgments, offer support, and make yourself available for difficult conversations.

Be Willing to Compromise

Assertive communication is not about always getting your way. Be open to finding mutually beneficial solutions that work for everyone involved. If you have a tendency to insist on doing things your way, it helps to tune in to and create awareness around that moment when you feel compelled to dig in. Then develop a practice of stepping back and refocusing on the big picture and overall objectives. Look for common ground, and be willing to relax your expectations to get there.

By developing these assertive communication skills, you can advocate for your needs more comfortably, contribute your ideas more effectively, and build stronger, more collaborative relationships with your colleagues.

Conclusion

In closing out this article, we want to remind you that becoming a more assertive communicator is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing practice, self-reflection, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. As you continue on your path to greater assertiveness, remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. With time and practice, you can develop the confidence and clarity that’s needed for truly effective communication – no matter your personality type.

We invite you to continue this conversation in the comment section below. How do you feel that your personality impacts the way that you communicate at work? Which of the strategies listed above do you think might help you find balance and become a more effective communicator?

Further Reading

• Are you curious about your coworkers’ personality types but don’t feel comfortable asking them to take our test? Try out our free Type Guesser tool for the workplace.
• From Miscommunication to Effective Team Communication: Insights into Every Personality Type
• Going Small: A Gentle Approach to Change for All Personality Types
• Cooperation or Capitulation: How Personality Types View Compromise