How can assertive communication help you build self-confidence at work?

Assertive communication can enhance your self-confidence at work by enabling you to express your ideas clearly, handle feedback and conflicts positively, advocate for your needs, reduce workplace stress, build better relationships, and accomplish your goals. This assertive approach helps you feel more self-assured, respected, and capable in your professional endeavors.

It’s important to put your point across without getting carried away. You won’t regret not sharing your point of view, which will help you gain confidence. It also helps in leading a communication to a logical conclusion, which also is important in feeling self assured.

Manners Make A difference You can say what you want if you pay attention to your words, tone of voice and body language, because they play a vital role in building strong relationships with other people. They say, your right ends, when the rights of others begin. With assertive communication both your rights and the right of others are respected. Because assertive communication is a human rights advocate.

Assertive communication especially leadership in software development can help teams work together harmoniously in resolving conflicts and achieving goals as a team, quite more effectively. Here are a few habits a leader might ought to do: 1. Set clear expectations - Help your teammates understand their responsibilities, goals, and performance metrics by being clear and concise. 2. Listen attentively to your team - Pay close attention to what your teammate is saying, demonstrate empathy, clarify misunderstandings and provide feedback when appropriate. 2. Praise in public; criticise in private - This is a well-known approach that promotes healthy communication, encourages personal growth, and maintains positive relationships within teams

It's important to understand that our words have so much power. Keep in mind it's not what you say but how you're conveying the message. My advice would be to speak in a way that your audience will lean into what you have to say and listen with the intent to understand as well. Lastly, it's important to leave people a little better off than the way you initially engaged them -- it's a great lasting impression.

It Builds Success Assertive communication has the power to boost your confidence because you know perfectly well that you will not hurt others verbally, and you focus more on building healthy boundaries with everyone at work which reduces conflicts and unnecessary stress. When you stay positive people want to listen to you, respect your views, trust your professional approach and support you to keep going and achieve your goals.

Assertive communication is important for building self-confidence in the workplace: Assertive communication helps you express your ideas and opinions clearly and confidently. It fosters respect from colleagues and supervisors, as it demonstrates a strong and confident demeanor. It aids in setting boundaries and standing up for yourself, which is crucial for maintaining self-respect and gaining the respect of others. It promotes healthy and effective conflict resolution, preventing misunderstandings and promoting a positive work environment

Assertive communication is important in the workplace because it helps create a positive and friendly environment where everyone feels valued. It allows people to solve problems effectively, handle conflicts in a good way, and work better as a team, leading to more work getting done and people feeling happier in their jobs. By encouraging open and respectful conversations, assertive communication builds strong relationships and a supportive work culture, making the company more successful overall.

Positivity Always Wins Being positive will help you express your ideas effectively and without being aggressive. Active listening, empathy, confidence, humility, and preparation will help you turn every meeting into an amazing place of exchanging ideas, facts, solutions and feelings instead of a combat zone.

In meetings, make sure to find a balance between assertiveness and respect for others' opinions, fostering an environment of open communication and mutual understanding.

Women struggle with a double bind at work: how to confidently voice their opinions without coming across as disrespectful. I see them make three key mistakes: Over-Apologising: Using phrases like "I'm sorry, but..." can erode your authority. Be direct and own your stance. Downplaying Success: Referring to your wins and major roles as "just a small part" diminishes your perceived value. Acknowledge and don't minimise your achievements. Avoiding Eye Contact: It hints at low confidence. Direct eye contact is a sign of assertiveness, confidence and engagement.

Building assertiveness essentially comes from ‘within’, and usual traces back its origins to a personal encounter Those ‘encounters’ when processed in a mature manner, and with suitable ‘safe’ ally’s , turn into assertive outcomes. And those, when channelised appropriately, can also benefit the recipients. The externally triggered assertions, most times turn into repetitive acts of non-serving aggression, eventually harming both, the instigator And the recipient. And serving no good to either.

Master Your Words Words have emotions hidden in their hearts, that is why choosing the right words for the right purpose is crucially important. Always put yourself in your reader's shoes and adapt your words to make your message clear without being offensive. Remember, communication is an art. It is like painting, there is a meaning behind every color. Choose wisely!

Before communicating clearly via email, make sure we plan the email itself: 1. Knowing all recipients of our email. By knowing recipients of our email, we can construct our email effectively to make sure they understand insight of our email. 2. Plan the body of email. Please make sure that our email is well constructed, not confusing recipients, 3. Prepare proper supporting components of our email like data, table, picture, flow chart, or even attached documents. Several email require supporting components, like, whenever we want to explain the financial performance, etc. 4. Following up. After sending the email. It would be great if we follow up our email to all recipients, especially when our email need decision/clarification from them.

Here're 3 ways to practice assertiveness in the workplace, no matter your level of seniority: Use "I" Statements: Avoid confrontations with "You're wrong." Instead, say, "I see it differently because...". It's non-blaming and personal. Be Clear & Direct: Don't waffle. Get to the point faster. Prioritise clarity over excessive politeness. Rather than "I was thinking maybe...", go with "I believe this is beneficial because...". Active Listening: It's not just about speaking. Listen actively (nod, paraphrase, ask questions) to respect and build trust with others.

Disagree without being disagreeable…. It is a skill which comes naturally to some. And for some people it needs to be practiced .

ASSERTIVE IS ABOUT I WITHOUT YOU Freedom to express mines: my ideas, my perspectives, my perceptions, all about and focus on mines. Do not enter others area : judging, evaluating, comparing, commenting, either they are in the same boat with you, or the opposite, or any differences. Just express yours, full stop.

1 Clearly expressing your thoughts & needs boosts your self-assurance at work. 2 Setting and maintaining boundaries enhances your confidence by giving you control over your professional life. 3 Skillful conflict resolution builds your self-esteem as you learn to handle disagreements effectively. 4Handling feedback with composure helps you improve and reinforces your confidence in your abilities. 5 Gaining respect and trust through assertive communication positively impacts your self-confidence. 6 Advocating for your career goals through assertiveness empowers your self-assurance in pursuing advancement. 7 Reduced stress from assertive communication contributes to an overall sense of self-confidence in the workplace.

As an HR professional, I later became a mindfulness coach, integrating these practices at work. Pre-meeting mindfulness exercises enhance assertive communication. Encouraging daily mindfulness fosters self-awareness, emotional balance, and better well-being. Deep breathing before meetings helps manage stress and improves focus. Promoting clear expression and active listening reduces workplace stress, fostering better relationships and a supportive environment for everyone's mental health. The combined practice of mindfulness and assertive communication results in a more positive workplace culture and improved overall employee satisfaction.

An assertive person has: Self-awareness: Understanding your own thoughts, feelings, and needs is crucial for assertiveness. Recognize your emotions and what you want to communicate. Self-esteem: A healthy self-esteem is the foundation of assertiveness. Believing in your self-worth is essential to confidently express yourself. Emotional intelligence: Being aware of and managing your emotions helps you respond assertively rather than react emotionally.