SBenegaL

Category: Defensive

  • Communication – Defensive 2

    In the last byte, we looked at defensive communication at work. In today’s byte, we look at some defensive tactics.
    Defensive tactics are very common in workplace. The major issue is that until defensiveness and defensive tactics are recognized, it is difficult to change them or to respond to them in non-defensive ways. Defensive tactics are how defensive communication is acted out.

    Some of the defensive tactics used in workplace are:

    • Power Play
    • Put-down
    • Labeling
    • Raising Doubts
    • Misleading information
    • Scapegoating
    • Hostile Jokes
    • Deception
    In many situations, such tactics raise ethical dilemmas and issues for those involved. People might raise doubts about another person’s values, beliefs etc.

  • Communication – Defensive

    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:

    1. Subordinate Defensiveness
    2. 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!

  • Communication – Defensive & Non-Defensive

    In the last byte, we looked at how gender difference and language could act as barriers to communication and how these could be overcome. In today’s byte, we begin our discussion exploring defensive and non-defensive communication.
    • Defensive Communication refers to the communication that can be aggressive, attacking, and angry, or passive and withdrawing.
    • Non-defensive Communication refers to that is assertive, direct and powerful.
    Of the two, it is pretty evident that defensive communication in organization can create barriers between people, whereas non-defensive communication help open up relationships. Simply put, aggressiveness and passiveness are both forms of defensive communication, assertiveness is non-defensive communication.

    Defensive communication in organization leads to a wide range of problems, including injured feelings, communication breakdowns, alienation in working relationships, etc. Counterattack or sheepish withdraw could derail communication.
    Non-defensive communication in contrast provides a basis for asserting and defending oneself when attacked – without getting non-defensive. Each of these defensive approaches could be aptly addressed.