Communication Roles

In all areas of your life, you will play many different roles in the communications process. At the highest level within this process, you will either be the person instigating the exchange or the recipient of it.

An Instigator will generally be performing one of the following roles that will match the reason why communication is taking place:

• Communicator: You have a need to inform an individual about some aspect of their work or you require them to take on a task you need to delegate.
• Investigator: The reason for your communication is to find out some information or data that you need to make a decision.
• Assessor: You have to assess how well someone, or a group, is performing their role or task.

If you are the Recipient then the role you will adopt during the exchange will fall into three broad categories:

• Recipient: You need the information or data contained in the communication to ensure that you can complete your task or perform your job.
• Participator: Your knowledge and skills are required in a discussion or decision-making process that has mutual benefit to those involved in the communication.
• Antagonist: Your viewpoint may be contrary and you want to ensure that everyone in the communication is fully informed to ensure a well-reasoned decision.

With each of these broad roles, you will alter your behaviors and method of communicating to suit the environment and circumstance. But whichever high-level role you find yourself performing you will also need to actively listen to the whole of the two-way exchange. Developing the skill of active listening during conversations enables you to avoid misunderstandings, confusion, and misinterpretations. It also ensures that you are always looking at the ‘big picture’ when communicating.