Final answer:
An manager who insists on facts and real-world proof most likely uses an Assertive communication style, which focuses on evidence-based and confident communication. Different leadership styles can affect communication flow, with authoritarian being typical of top-down communication patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A manager who prefers facts over speculation and insists on real-world proof indicates the communication style defined as Assertive. This communication style is characterized by a desire for clear, direct, and evidence-based communication. Assertiveness involves stating one's views confidently and firmly, often seeking concrete data and real-world examples to support decisions, as opposed to speculation or abstract ideas.
In a workplace context, it is important to maintain a balance between being straightforward and diplomatic, ensuring that communication is both clear and considerate. This relates to how various kinds of leadership styles and communication patterns, like authoritarian, democratic, laissez-faire, or expressive, can influence the flow of communication within a group or organization. In a top-down communication pattern, the style would most likely be authoritarian, where the decision-making and directives originate from the top levels of management and are communicated down to the subordinates.