What do you do if you want to enhance your career development through assertiveness training?

1 Identify your assertiveness style

The first step is to understand your current level of assertiveness and how it affects your work performance and relationships. There are four common assertiveness styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. Passive people tend to avoid expressing their thoughts and feelings, and often agree with others to avoid conflict. Aggressive people tend to dominate, intimidate, or criticize others, and often disregard their feelings and rights. Passive-aggressive people tend to express their resentment or dissatisfaction indirectly, through sarcasm, procrastination, or sabotage. Assertive people tend to express their thoughts and feelings clearly, respectfully, and honestly, and often seek win-win solutions. You can assess your assertiveness style by observing your behavior, feedback, and outcomes in different situations.

4 Seek support and feedback

The fourth step is to seek support and feedback from others who can help you improve your assertiveness. You can join a peer support group, network, or community to share experiences and learn from others with similar goals. Additionally, you can find a mentor, either within or outside your organization, who can guide you and inspire you with their assertiveness skills and achievements. It is also beneficial to communicate with your managers about your assertiveness goals and progress, as well as ask for their feedback, recognition, and opportunities to apply your skills. Furthermore, hiring a professional coach can help you assess strengths and areas for improvement, set realistic goals, and monitor and evaluate results.

5 Review and celebrate your progress

The fifth step is to review and celebrate your progress with assertiveness. To review, you can keep a journal to reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and seek feedback from others who have observed your assertiveness skills. You can also measure the results of your assertiveness skills in terms of work performance, career development, and personal satisfaction. Celebrating your progress includes rewarding yourself for achieving goals or milestones, sharing success with those who have supported you, and inspiring others who want to enhance their career development through assertiveness training. Assertiveness training can be a powerful way to enhance career development by helping you communicate effectively, negotiate successfully, and handle conflicts constructively. By following these steps, you can develop your assertiveness skills and confidence, and achieve your professional and personal goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?