Leaders need near-perfect communication skills, and knowing a person’s communication style can make the difference between getting your message out and getting it heard.

Here are four communication styles and tips to effectively communicate with people who’ve made these styles their own.

The aggressor/asserter

People with the aggressor/asserter communication style occupy the c-level in attitude. They are competitive, goal-oriented, demanding, and embody the fast-paced world. To them time is money and money is time. You know where you stand with them because they are blunt and direct in their communication. Their biggest fear is losing control and they ask the “what” questions.

An aggressor-asserter’s strengths include providing momentum, providing focus, and making quick decisions. His “on top of it” approach to projects can keep the rest of the team on target or even get it done early. However, these characteristics must be kept in balance because aggressor/asserters can overstep their roles, taking over tasks that have been assigned to others—and not necessarily because they can do things better. They just want to get them done.

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