Communication is an essential part of life and learning assertiveness skills will benefit you both in and outside of the workplace. As a manager or employer, assertiveness skills will make you a more effective leader and a better communicator. Whether you are trying to communicate a decision or problem in your office or a sales pitch with a client, assertiveness can help the outcome. In fact, studies have shown that having a strong personality and communicating effectively can improve productivity and boost morale – which is great for any business.
There are a number of ways to practice assertiveness skills, including consciously using it, as well as the many ways that you can “learn it” unconsciously. Here are the top five skills to use when communicating:
To begin, assertiveness is a very important part of human behavior. It is used in everything from aggressive wars to romantic gestures. In fact, one of the most powerful words known in the English language is, “You are being too assertive.” This is an extremely important part of assertiveness, and it should not be forgotten.
Another great example of assertiveness skills is complimenting someone. Simply saying, “You’re being really assertive today,” to a coworker or friend, communicates your approval of their actions or thought process. If you are communicating well with your colleagues by using this simple method, everyone is much more likely to want to work with you. This is especially important if you want to communicate effectively with your boss or employees.
You can also use assertiveness skills to help us feel better about ourselves. Sometimes passive behaviour can be just as bad as actually being aggressive, and you can help yourself to relax and feel comfortable if you can learn how to be assertive in a non-threatening way. When you can confidently stand up for yourself instead of shutting down, you will gain an advantage over those who cannot self-direct.
These assertiveness skills can also help us establish personal boundaries. For example, it is quite common for a woman to feel afraid to voice her opinions or feelings because of the possibility of having them criticized. However, being assertive will allow her to take control and say what she wants to say without fear of being criticized. She can also use this same communication style to assert her personal rights. Remember that everyone has the right to be heard and that no one should be unheard.