What is being Assertive?

Being assertive is to behave in a way that articulates self confidence, significance and supremacy. To be treated fairly you would be assertive by standing up for yourself and express opinions and feelings without taking any notice or hurting the needs and feelings of other people. A lot of people tend to keep their feelings to themselves in an effort to be liked and to get along with others but it doesn’t help all the time as it could cause conflict with the other person for example in a working environment. This could also lead to someone being taken advantage of by people who are not as polite or thoughtful. Asserting yourself will help you to stop people from deceiving you and you from deceiving yourself out of what you are worthy of.

Assertive behaviour could consist of:

• Opening conversations
• Altering conversations
• Finishing other peoples conversations
• Dealing with problems that bother you
• Showing determination so that your rights are valued
• Contribution of your views, beliefs and knowledge with other people
• Expressing your wishes
• Not allowing others to take liberties with you if they are demanding too much
• Questioning others beliefs if they are not understood or reasonable
• Conveying positive and negative emotions

The pros and cons of assertiveness in contrast with other behaviours

People can repeatedly confuse the differences of aggressiveness with assertiveness and presume that both involve sticking up for ones own self.

Assertiveness has an influence on various parts of every day life. If you are having too much stress in your life then being an assertive person can relieve the arguments of dealing with others. Assertiveness aids in getting your needs and the needs of others met and having the assurance of a tougher and encouraging relationship. This will also help with stress management and a healthier lifestyle.

Behaving assertively allows the person to articulate themselves in a way to respect the other person with the element of compromise.

On the other hand, people behaving in an aggressive manner will attract a lack of respect and have an impolite and undignified approach. Being aggressive will distance you from others thus creating avoidable stress. People who have been on the other side of receiving this aggression will obviously feel harassed and can often avoid that individual. People who will behave aggressively are likely to have unsuccessful relationships and never realise that their behaviour is related to this. Funnily enough, they too also believe they are at a loss.

People who are passive have difficulty in effectively communicating their feelings and try to avoid conflict. They allow themselves to be unheard and keep things in, in order for peace of mind, therefore, having a tendency to fear conflict. Other individuals will win hands down in every situation. This type of behaviour can have an adverse effect on the way people treat them. They will be victimised and will continue to avoid confrontation and may be overly aggressive if they reach boiling point.

Becoming more assertive

Take a look at yourself and the way you respond to individuals or how they respond to you; see if you can change your ways to become a more assertive individual.

If you don’t already know how to be assertive already, have a look at the following points:

• Say “no” to requests sometimes, you can’t do everything people want you to do
• Acknowledge productive criticism
• If someone has a different point of view, don’t feel your being harassed
• Voicing a difference of opinion with others
• Don’t isolate people when communicating with them

These are only a few ways to become more assertive, who knows, you may already be there.

Latest News and Events

How to present your business in 3 minutes!
SPECIAL INRODUCTORY OFFER!
Attend a £350 Workshop for just £50 including lunch!

{More info}

Enquire about our Courses

Are you interested in our courses? Would you like to register or make an enquiry? Send us your details and requirements by completing our enquiry form.

{Enquire now}

Get in touch today

Client Testimonial

"Excellent course – everything covered will benefit me in the future"

Shirley Ming, London Borough of Lewisham

{ more Information }