Assertiveness

Do you feel stuck and hopeless because you do not know how to express your opinion and feeling or you are always trying to please others by allowing them deliberately or inadvertently infringe on your right?

Then you need to learn to say "No" more often.

You can establish important work and social boundaries by saying "no" without hurting the feelings of others.

?What is Assertiveness        

Assertiveness is letting people know that their behavior infringes on your right. It's about meeting your needs and the needs of others through communication. Assertiveness teaches techniques and strategies for resisting those who seek to dominate and manipulate others. To be assertive, you have to give a strong reason to backup each of your action.

Which Of The 4 Communication Styles Are You?

• Passive: You allow others to deliberately or inadvertently infringe on your right by failing to express your feelings, needs, or opinion. Always compromising who you are and?too quick to say yes to everybody in the office. You end up having too many unfinished work, often feel depressed and resentful because your needs are not being met.
• Aggressive: You have general disregard for other people's feelings.??You use intimidation as means of getting others to agree with you. You speak in a loud, demanding, and overbearing voice and you’re not interested in others’ perspectives. Aggressive behavior damages and completely destroys relationships and can lead to a complete loss of respect.
• Passive Aggressive: You are a combination of both passive and aggressive. You avoid direct conflict but employ sarcasm to express your annoyance. Passive-aggressive people are often sarcastic, hostile?and dishonest.
• Assertive: You clearly state your opinions and feelings, and firmly advocate for your right and needs without violating the rights of others.

In every organization, it is very important to teach people how to respectfully and effectively express their preferences, needs, opinions and feelings in work and social situations without negatively affecting the feelings of others.

3 C's of Assertive Communication

• Confidence: You have to believe in your ability to handle any situation. In other to be bold enough to speak out for yourself, you need to rehearse with someone you know and trust, set actionable boundaries and believe in your worth.
• Concise: Every message or information you give should be clear and easy to understand by whoever you are communicating with at any point in time.
• Controlled: Be calm and controlled when delivering any information. Watch your tone and behavior and do not sound harsh or rude.?Keep it friendly and?calm. Speaking slowly and using a quieter voice is usually enough to bring balance back to the conversation.

Five Importance of being Assertive

1. Increased self-confidence.?
2. Stress reduction
3. Improved communication
4. Build honest relationships
5. Earn respect from others

You need to make sure you don't become people's dump. Always remember that you have the right to express your opinion and feelings wherever you find yourself.? Learn to say no in a way that wouldn't hurt the feelings of others.

Be Assertive