Communication is a skill we all are pretty familiar with.
From the moment we’re born, we start learning how to use different types of communication to get our feelings and needs across to others.
And, eventually, we start communicating verbally.
In this post, we’ll explain verbal communication and explore its types and styles to help you become a more effective communicator.
So, let’s take it from the top.
Table of Contents
Defining verbal communication: Key concepts
Verbal communication is a type of communication where we use spoken and written words to get our message and information across to the other person.
This definition of verbal communication highlights that whenever we use words to express our thoughts and feelings, we are verbally communicating — even when we are writing to someone.
We use communication from the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we close our eyes at night. Humans are social creatures, and it’s only natural that our communication methods have improved over time.
Now, instead of grunting to alert others of danger, we use language to express our thoughts in a way that others can understand.
We’ve certainly come a long way, haven’t we? Yet, we often have to fall back on body language and adjust our tone of voice. That’s because communication covers many different aspects of human interaction.
For this reason, we’ll focus on the different types and styles of verbal communication.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
The difference between verbal and non-verbal communication
According to the National Library of Medicine’s research article about communication, it is said that non-verbal communication is much more present and effective than verbal communication.
That is because our body language and facial expressions can change without our control or without our knowledge. Over time, we might be able to learn how to control major changes in our facial expressions or body language, but the subtle signs and reactions are far from our control.
So, what is the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication?
It’s right there in the name.
For verbal communication to exist, we need to speak, talk, to use our words. With verbal communication, we can mask or reveal our true thoughts and feelings with the words that we choose.
But when it comes to non-verbal communication, it is a reaction of our body to the information we have just received. In other words, it is a string of signals to show what we think without using any words.
Some examples of non-verbal communication include subtle glances between friends or waving to someone across the street. While body language and words are fundamentally different, they are often used together. For instance, some people like to use their hands when they speak to emphasize their words and convey information.
The importance of verbal communication in the workplace
Everything in our life is a way of communication, from small gestures to big words, it is all around us. Whether it is verbal or non-verbal communication, we are constantly sending and receiving messages.
When we think of workplace communication, we think about professional vocabulary and polite but direct conversations.
Furthermore, the workplace is one of the most important places where we should let our communication skills shine.
Whether you are speaking to your boss or a colleague, your verbal communication skills should be on point. According to the research paper “Communication in the workplace – guideline for improving effectiveness”, there are numerous benefits to perfecting your communication skills in the workplace. Let’s name a few and talk about them.
- Communication creates job satisfaction — When a company advocates for open communication between its employees, no matter their rank or seniority, it helps the company’s employees to feel that their opinions are heard and valued.
- Communication leads to fewer conflicts — Workplace conflicts are common, but when a company implements and advocates for open communication in the office, it is easier to resolve misunderstandings. Therefore, if we speak our minds in a clear and direct manner, it will ensure that our coworkers understand where we are coming from.
- Communication strengthens relationships — If a company’s goal is to have a healthy and productive collective, then practicing open communication can help to achieve that goal. Open communication helps employees connect with each other and it ensures that the professional relationship is built on trust.
- Communication leads to more productivity — When miscommunication happens in the workplace, it usually affects productivity in the office, and more often than not, the tasks involved are delayed. So, when a company teaches its employees to use open communication and ask for clarification on their tasks, it helps to keep misunderstandings to a minimum and to keep productivity levels rising.
5 Different types of verbal communication
Types and styles of verbal communication are two different things, and to help you get a better understanding of the key differences, we will first talk about the types of verbal communication. The key difference to remember is that styles explain how we use verbal communication and types explain where and with whom we are communicating.
According to CommunicationTheory.org, there are 5 different types of verbal communication, and yes, we will cover them all.
Type #1: Intrapersonal verbal communication
Do you have an internal monologue? Do your thoughts form into words and sentences?
If the answer is yes, then you have been using verbal communication — more specifically, intrapersonal type of verbal communication.
Intrapersonal verbal communication covers everything from us talking to ourselves to quietly processing information and messages in our minds.
So if types of communication describe where we are speaking or with whom we are talking, then intrapersonal communication happens within us.
Type #2: Interpersonal verbal communication
Dyadic or Interpersonal communication is a type of verbal communication that happens between two parties.
This type of communication is outwardly, so for it to be successful, we need to:
- Use spoken or written words,
- Listen,
- Understand, and
- Relay the information that is being exchanged.
Type #3: Group verbal communication
Group verbal communication occurs when there are more than three individuals involved.
The main difference between interpersonal communication and group communication is only the number of people involved.
The same rules apply — we still have to use our words and active listening skills to decode and convey information.
Type #4: Public verbal communication
Have you ever attended a Ted talk? Or a press conference?
If the answer is yes, then you have been a part of public verbal communication, but as a listener. Public speaking has a distinctive attribute that sets it apart from group communication. To be called a speech, public speaking needs to have:
- A keynote speaker addressing the audience and
- An audience that assembled with a need to receive information.
Type #5: Mass verbal communication
This type of verbal communication differs the most from other types we mentioned.
Mass verbal communication uses a medium to get their message across to a larger audience. While it is common to have one main speaker in the types we previously mentioned (intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and public verbal communication), in mass verbal communication, the main speaker consists of a small group of people who are sharing their ideas together, as a team.
When we speak of mass verbal communication, we talk about:
- Newspapers,
- Television, or
- Radio shows.
Most recently, social media posts have become a new vessel of mass verbal communication.
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4 different styles of verbal communication
Now that we have covered the different types of verbal communication, it is time to take a closer look at what are styles of verbal communication. Alvernia University published the “4 Types of communication styles” which illustrate that the style of communication explains and describes how we communicate.
Here are the styles of communication we will talk about in the next few paragraphs
- The aggressive style
- The passive style
- The passive-aggressive style
- The assertive style
Let’s dive in.
Style #1: Aggressive style of verbal communication
People who use the aggressive style of communication are often perceived as those who don’t have any regard for other people’s emotions.
Aggressive style users are too direct and oftentimes ruthless.
They are domineering and when they speak they expect a certain level of obedience.
Style #2: Passive style of verbal communication
People who use the passive style of verbal communication are often perceived as timid, introverted, and aloof.
These people tend to be the ‘peacekeepers’ when it comes to disagreements.
They usually keep their opinions to themselves, and when they are asked to give them, they are vague.
When it comes to passive speakers, they usually have no problem going with the flow of others. This doesn’t mean that they are spineless, but simply, they are not comfortable with confrontation, and they will go to great lengths to avoid it.
Style #3: Passive-aggressive style of verbal communication
You might be familiar with passive-aggressive people.
Passive-aggressive style speakers conceal their true emotions and displeasure when they are met with disagreement. These style users try to seem passive on the surface, while their resentment or disagreement keeps building underneath their mask of passiveness. Their behavior is not consistent with their words. Passive-aggressive people are more comfortable expressing negative reactions indirectly instead of being open about their true feelings.
Style #4: Assertive style of verbal communication
People who use this style of verbal communication are the ones who are not afraid to be assertive or express their feelings and opinions in a good way. According to the aforementioned Alvernia University’s article, assertive style of communication is the most effective. The assertive style user strives for compromise and respects their own rights as well as others.
These people often use the phrase “I feel” to get their messages across, but they also show a lot of respect for the person they are talking to.
What are verbal communication skills?
To be a good communicator, you will need to acquire some verbal communication skills.
So, what are verbal communication skills?
Simply put, it is how you engage in conversation and how you keep your co-communicator focused.
When you improve your verbal communication skills, you’ll be able to keep the conversation going, no matter who you’re speaking with.
Skill #1: Active listening
Most of the time, when we are engaged in a conversation, we worry more about what we will say next and how we will form our sentences than about listening to the person in front of us.
This is where active listening comes into play.
Active listening means that we are paying close attention to what the person is saying and trying to understand the messages that they are sharing with us.
When we engage in active listening, we are letting the other person know that they have our undivided attention.
Active listening is a way to show the other person that what they are saying is important, and help them feel more confident when they are speaking.
That being said, active listening doesn’t only mean that our ears are focused on the speaker’s words, but also that our eyes are fixated on them, and only them.
If you are having trouble focusing because of the background noise, ask the person you are having the conversation with to move to a quieter place where nothing can disrupt the flow of the conversation.
When we are actively listening, we are being more open-minded about the information that we are receiving, and coming up with what to say next will come easier than when we are overthinking our next move.
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Skill #2: Ask for clarification
Verbal communication is the transactional process of using words to exchange information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings with another person.
But, what should you do when you are not sure what the person is saying? Ask them to explain further.
When you are asking for clarification, you are not disrespecting the other person, but clarifying with them that the message you have received is the same as the one that they were trying to get across.
There is nothing wrong with asking questions, and you shouldn’t feel bad about needing clarification.
Getting clarification from the other person will only deepen the conversation, and it will leave no room for confusion or miscommunication.
Skill #3: Mind your tone
Emotions can be our best asset and our worst enemy.
Although it’s important not to bottle up our emotions, letting them run loose is not the way to go either.
So what do our emotions have to do with our verbal communication skills? If we get too heated in an argument, we might notice our voice getting louder or more high-pitched.
Keep in mind that just because someone is louder, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are in the right. That is why, when we are speaking to a colleague, we should never let our emotions get the best of us, no matter how much we disagree with the information that we are receiving.
The tone you use can help you be perceived as a reliable and confident speaker.
No matter the situation, if you mind your tone, you will get the message across more easily.
Use Pumble to harness the power of verbal communication
Verbal communication can be the key to your success in the workplace — all you have to do is utilize the skill of properly expressing yourself. Aside from picking the right style of verbal communication, the means by which you communicate are also important.
Help yourself to master the essentials of verbal communication by embracing digital means of communication such as Pumble, the team communication app.
Pumble allows you to clearly express yourself, foster relationships with your coworkers, and collaborate with your entire team by:
- Sending messages to individuals or groups,
- Communicating with coworkers in dedicated channels, and
- Scheduling audio and video calls.
Customizable, easy to use, and familiar — Pumble will prove to be a strong weapon in your communication arsenal!
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