Here's how you can navigate difficult conversations with candidates and clients using assertiveness.

Assertiveness skills are communication strategies that allow you to convey information and ideas in an open and direct way while maintaining respect for the people to whom you're speaking. Assertiveness allows you to explain your claims and decisions in a calm and confident manner. Assertive communication is ideal for many workplace communications because it can help team members resolve issues and create a more positive work environment Examples of Assertiveness - Respect - Honesty - Accountability - Self-control

Being assertive you could be perceived as being arrogant or bossy also. So while communicating with candidates and clients we have to start the conversation in an easy to go manner and steer them graciously where you can easily and confidently put across your thoughts, strategies or plans. Being upfront you keep things clear and not leave anything up for assumptions and thus showcasing assertiveness in your approach which is always appreciated by both candidates and clients.

I always explain to candidates that our interests are 100% aligned. I win if they win. I also lose if they lose. I make sure they know that anything I share is only to benefit them so we can both win together.

Understanding assertiveness is crucial for navigating difficult recruitment conversations. Assertiveness isn't about being pushy; it's about being direct and honest while respecting the other person's perspective. It involves confidently expressing your thoughts and feelings, standing up for your rights without violating others' rights, and being open to dialogue and compromise. When you're assertive, candidates and clients are more likely to respect your position and consider your message, even if it's not what they want to hear. This approach fosters clear communication and mutual respect.

Setting clear expectations before difficult conversations is essential. Clearly define the goals and what you hope to achieve. This ensures both parties understand the context and can focus on the issues at hand. When expectations are clear, misunderstandings are minimized, making it easier to be assertive. Referencing these pre-established goals provides a framework for the conversation, helping to keep the dialogue on track and productive. This preparation leads to more effective and respectful communication, ultimately fostering better outcomes.

Before going into difficult conversations, we should be clear with the message which you intend to convey and the result you would like to foresee. Without these boundary lines of expectations, these conversations could go meaningless and dragged to longer durations. This also leads to trust issue and might lead to conflicts and you both could be directionless while having such conversations. So, have the conversation in your mind, where you try to look for answers for the questions that could be expected and thus, set clear expectations on how you approach them in actual discussions.

Practicing empathy is a powerful tool for recruiters, especially when combined with assertiveness. It means putting yourself in the other person's shoes to understand their feelings and perspectives. You don't have to agree with them, but acknowledging their viewpoint can help convey your message more positively. When candidates or clients feel understood, they're more likely to engage constructively, even when the subject matter is challenging. Empathy fosters a respectful and open dialogue, making difficult conversations more productive and less adversarial.

I think describing the need for assertiveness is unneeded, it’s understanding how to navigate the empathy landscape that is essential. Understanding where to lean in, where to stand your ground determines the actions to take to get the required outcomes. The human to human experiences make a huge difference!

Everyone needs to feel appreciated and understood. Even if it has nothing to do with the current problem, try to identify an instance of agreement with a challenging client. Pay them a compliment, empathize to them on a subject that matters to them, and establish a rapport. Once that's established, you can address the matter directly and honestly, leading to a direct and honest conversations.

My personal approach as a recruiter and career coach is to use empathic listening, guiding candidates with the list of questions ( script, or the algorithm of conversation). It takes time to get prepared and to create possible script, but as a result it pays off. And it’s more about understanding the final GOAL or meaning that is hiding by arguments, so I’d let my interlocutor to speak up, and onceI listen to people sincerely it’s a lot about respect, once person feels respect, communication goes a way easier!

If you get rejected, congratulate that you put yourself out there. ?? I had 283 rejections over the last year. Keeping track of my rejections gamifies the experience and allows me to embrace discomfort. My goal for this year is 800+ ?? More rejections = more successes ??