Strong communication is the foundation of every successful workplace. How you express yourself shapes collaboration, trust, and productivity. Everyone communicates differently, and these differences can either strengthen or strain relationships.
Understanding communication styles in the workplace helps bridge gaps, reduce conflict, and foster inclusion. Our experts at ATI-Mirage are here to teach you how to recognise and adapt to these styles through practical advice and hands-on communication courses.
What are Communication Styles in the Workplace?
Communication skill styles are the habitual ways people share information, give feedback, and interpret messages. They include tone, pace, word choice, and body language. In a workplace, these styles influence how teams collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions.
Common communication skill styles include assertive, passive, passive-aggressive, direct, indirect, analytical, and supportive. None of these is inherently better than another. What matters is recognising them and adapting to different situations and people. Awareness and flexibility make communication effective, respectful, and inclusive.
Learn more: How to Create Psychological Safety at Work Through Leadership.
5 Most Common Communication Styles and Their Impact
Different communication styles can complement each other or clash, depending on how you use them:
Assertive Communication
This style balances confidence with respect. Assertive communicators express opinions clearly while considering others. They set boundaries and give feedback constructively. This style fosters trust and is ideal for leadership roles.
Passive Communication
Passive communicators avoid confrontation and agree to maintain harmony, even when they disagree. Their calm nature helps ease tension, but others often overlook their views, which can cause frustration or burnout over time.
Aggressive Communication
This direct approach can sound confrontational. It may achieve quick results but risks damaging relationships. Aggressive communication often prioritises outcomes over collaboration, making it less effective in team environments.
Analytical Communication
Analytical communicators prefer data, facts, and logic. They excel in technical or strategic roles but may appear distant to emotional or expressive colleagues. Bridging this gap requires patience and clarity.
Supportive Communication
Supportive communicators focus on empathy and connection. They listen attentively and build harmony. Their strength lies in team building, though they may avoid difficult conversations.
Effective teams often blend these styles, drawing on their strengths while managing potential friction.
Why Understanding Communication Styles in the Workplace Matters
Every message you send at work shapes how people see you. Each conversation, meeting, or email can build trust or create tension. Understanding communication in the workplace is the foundation of stronger relationships, smoother workflows, and better results.
Poor communication is costly. Safe Work Australia reports that weak communication and low support in Australian workplaces contribute to rising psychosocial risks, now forming a significant share of serious workers’ compensation claims.
The ADP People at Work report found Australians face around 12 stress events each week, the highest in the Asia-Pacific, with 57 per cent saying stress harms their focus and performance.
Workplaces with strong psychological safety and open communication show higher resilience, better job resources, and improved performance. In contrast, low psychosocial safety climates often lead to reduced productivity, higher stress, and greater health risks.
How to Adapt to Different Communication Styles in the Workplace
Awareness is the first step toward adaptability. Once you recognise your own style, you can adjust how you engage with others.
- Build self-awareness: Reflect on how you communicate under stress and calm. Notice your tone, body language, and pacing. Understanding your natural style helps you recognise when to shift it.
- Listen actively: Active listening means focusing on what others are saying, not just preparing your response. Summarise what you hear and ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding.
- Adjust tone and delivery: Modify your approach based on your audience. A data-driven report suits an analytical colleague, while a collaborative conversation suits a supportive one.
- Seek feedback: Ask peers or supervisors how you communicate. Constructive feedback reveals blind spots and helps refine your interpersonal skills.
Building Stronger Communication Skills in the Workplace
At ATI-Mirage, our communication training blends proven techniques with practical, hands-on learning. Participants gain tools to give feedback, manage conflict, and present ideas with confidence. With post-course support, learning turns into real workplace impact.
Through structured learning, you can learn to recognise your impact, adapt to others, and express ideas with clarity and confidence.
Each course uses real-world examples to build empathy, influence, and lasting professional growth.
ATI-Mirage Communication Skills Courses
| Course Name | Description and Skills You Will Gain |
| Communication Skills (with Extended DISC®) (In-person and Virtual) |
Learn to communicate confidently across different personality styles. Discover your Extended DISC® profile, build self-awareness, and adapt your communication to create stronger relationships and reduce misunderstandings. |
| Conflict to Cooperation (In-person and Virtual) |
Gain practical tools to manage and resolve workplace conflict. Learn how to hold difficult conversations, handle emotions, and turn disagreements into opportunities for collaboration and trust. |
| Introduction to Business Writing (In-person and Virtual) |
Develop professional writing skills that inform, persuade, and influence. Learn how to write clear, well-structured documents such as emails, letters, and reports that create a positive impact. |
| Developing Self-Confidence and Assertiveness Skills (In-person and Virtual) |
Build confidence and communicate with clarity. Understand the mindset and emotions that shape behaviour, challenge self-doubt, and learn assertive techniques to express ideas and boundaries effectively. |
| Develop Your Emotional Intelligence (In-person and Virtual) |
Strengthen emotional awareness, empathy, and resilience. Learn how to manage emotions, build productive relationships, and create positive workplace interactions using practical emotional intelligence tools. |
Discover the full range of communication courses at ATI-Mirage. We can tailor content and delivery for your team at our Perth CBD centre, online, or on-site.
Learn more: Mastering Team Dynamics Through Emotional Intelligence.
Communicate with Clarity, Lead with Confidence
Understanding and adapting to communication styles in the workplace helps teams build stronger connections and thrive together. When communication improves, so do trust, productivity, and morale.
If you’re ready to strengthen your communication and lead with confidence, explore ATI-Mirage’s communication skills courses. Contact our friendly team on (08) 9218 9059 or email hello@ati-mirage.com.au to start building stronger, clearer communication today.
