In the last byte, we began our discussion on defensive and non-defensive communication. In today's byte, we look at defensive communication at work and try to identify patterns therein.
Defensive Communication at work could be shown in 2 broad patterns of responses:
Defensive Communication at work could be shown in 2 broad patterns of responses:
- Subordinate Defensiveness
- Dominant Defensiveness
Subordinate Defensiveness: is characterized by passive, submissive, withdrawal. The underlying thought of the person in this state is - "You are right and I am wrong". This is most common in people with low self-esteem and is found mostly in people at lower organizational levels.
This sort of a behavior could prevent sensitive and critical information from moving up the organization and therefore loose organizational performance! This subordinate defensiveness over time could manifest as dominant defensiveness.
Dominant Defensiveness: is characterized by active, aggressive, attacking behavior. The underlying thought of the person in this state is "The best defense is a good offense". They psychological attitude that underlies this is - "I am right, and you are wrong".
In this case, people with low self-esteem compensate by exhibiting this pattern of behavior. People at higher levels in the organization too could have such an attitude!
This sort of a behavior could prevent sensitive and critical information from moving up the organization and therefore loose organizational performance! This subordinate defensiveness over time could manifest as dominant defensiveness.
Dominant Defensiveness: is characterized by active, aggressive, attacking behavior. The underlying thought of the person in this state is "The best defense is a good offense". They psychological attitude that underlies this is - "I am right, and you are wrong".
In this case, people with low self-esteem compensate by exhibiting this pattern of behavior. People at higher levels in the organization too could have such an attitude!
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