In the world of business, we often focus on hard skills: strategy, finance, marketing. But what truly fuels—or derails—our progress are the soft, human interactions happening every day. The way we behave in the office, on a video call, or in an email thread creates a ripple effect, influencing everything from team morale to the bottom line.
Understanding the impact of different behaviours isn’t just about being a “nice person.” It’s a critical leadership and career skill. Let’s break down six common behavioural styles and their powerful impact on your professional relationships.
1. The Builder: Positive & Supportive Behaviour
This is the gold standard for fostering a thriving work environment.
- What it looks like: Offering help without being asked, giving specific praise like “Great job on that presentation slide,” encouraging a colleague after a setback, and generally being kind.
- The Ripple Effect: This behaviour creates a warm, motivating atmosphere where people feel valued and confident. It builds deep trust, strengthens team bonds, and directly boosts collaboration and productivity. People who feel supported are more engaged, innovative, and loyal.
2. The Energy Drain: Negative or Critical Behaviour
This is a toxin that can slowly poison a team’s culture.
- What it looks like: Constant complaining, gossiping at the coffee machine, shooting down ideas without offering constructive alternatives, and focusing only on problems.
- The Ripple Effect: This drains the energy from a room. It spreads negativity, damages team morale, and creates an undercurrent of tension. It discourages people from speaking up with new ideas for fear of being criticized, leading to stagnation and reduced cooperation.
3. The Ghost: Passive Behaviour
While often intended to “keep the peace,” passivity can create its own set of problems.
- What it looks like: Avoiding conflict at all costs, staying silent in meetings even when you disagree, consistently letting others make decisions, and not setting boundaries.
- The Ripple Effect: Passive behaviour leads to misunderstandings and bottled-up resentment. Your colleagues and managers are left guessing what you truly think, which can derail projects. Most importantly, it prevents positive change and problem-solving because issues are never addressed.
4. The Bulldozer: Aggressive Behaviour
This style is about winning at all costs, often at the expense of others.
- What it looks like: Shouting or speaking in a condescending tone, interrupting others, dominating discussions, and dismissing others’ contributions.
- The Ripple Effect: The bulldozer makes people feel intimidated, undervalued, and disrespected. This triggers fear and defensiveness, shutting down open communication. It severely damages relationships and can lead to a high turnover of both employees and clients.
5. The Architect: Assertive Behaviour
This is the most effective and respectful style for professional communication. It strikes the perfect balance between passivity and aggression.
- What it looks like: Expressing your thoughts, needs, and feelings clearly and respectfully. Using “I” statements (“I feel concerned about the deadline”), standing up for your rights while actively considering the perspectives of others.
- The Ripple Effect: Assertiveness is the foundation of open communication and mutual respect. It encourages healthy collaboration and is the most effective tool for resolving conflict. People know where they stand with you, which builds trust and maintains strong, professional relationships.
6. The Connector: Empathetic Behaviour
Empathy is the secret ingredient that transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, supportive team.
- What it looks like: Listening actively (without just waiting for your turn to speak), showing genuine understanding, and acknowledging others’ feelings (“I can see why that was frustrating for you”).
- The Ripple Effect: Empathy builds powerful emotional connections. It helps people feel heard, seen, and supported, which fosters an incredible amount of trust and compassion. In any group, this leads to deeper cooperation and a culture where people look out for one another.
The Choice is Yours
Every interaction is a choice. You get to decide what kind of ripple you want to create. While we all may slip into different styles from time to time, striving to be more Assertive, Supportive, and Empathetic will fundamentally improve your professional relationships and open doors to greater success.
Start by observing your own behaviour this week. Are you building bridges or putting up walls? The most successful professionals know that their behaviour is their most powerful brand.
LYVIX 