How to be assertive in a world that relies on 'likes': A short guide for sustainability consultants

How is it possible to be assertive in our modern world?

As humans, community is everything to us. It's in our nature to feel accepted in society.?

We need to be one of the tribe. It’s how our brains are hard-wired.

We demonstrate this notion when we obsess over how many likes and positive comments we receive from our most recent social media posts.?

That’s why it can be so difficult to be assertive, and to say things the way we really think they are as we worry that our views can offend or that people can quickly change their opinion of us.?

And honestly, assertiveness is a fine art that can be learnt in a few simple steps.

To be assertive, firstly you need to give yourself the permission to say ‘no’.?

Saying ‘no’ does not mean you’re being purposely awkward. It is about showing respect for yourself.?

Too often, we agree to do things we don’t have the capacity to deliver, or we are unable to say things the way they are, because we are worried about offending, angering or disappointing people.

A big misconception around assertiveness is you are being forceful or aggressive. In actual fact, truly assertive people respect others’ opinions, as well as their own, and are confident in disagreeing with others in a constructive way.

Also, ask yourself: “If I say YES to this, what am I saying NO to?”?

Time is a finite and precious resource, and to keep a healthy balance, it pays off to prioritise the tasks and activities that are aligned with our values and long-term goals, instead of the next shiny thing.

The next step is listening.?

Active listening implies focusing your full attention on the other person - better still if you put away your phone as it might distract you.

This will allow you to build trust and better understand the other person.

Indeed, giving another person the opportunity to freely share with you their thoughts and concerns can only help you reach your goals quicker, as any issues will be addressed early rather than when it’s too late to deal with them.

If, additionally, you ask them open and deep questions (those that don’t have a simple YES or NO as an answer, but that allow others to open up and elaborate on their thoughts) you’ll quickly build up rapport with them.

And you never know, people might be willing to change their view, or might even have a positive reaction to your message.

Always listen and speak with an open heart, and assume good intent from the other person, because there is freedom on the other side of discomfort.

At The Green Gorilla, we have a? Masterclass Programme which is designed to empower sustainability professionals to become more assertive and to better communicate their sustainability message to their project stakeholders.?

Being stronger in the boardroom and having the right tools to address clients and board members more effectively will save time and money spent chasing and convincing them with little return.

Learn more about the Masterclass Programme here: https://thegreengorilla.co.uk/our-solutions/masterclass-programme

?