Assertiveness

Understanding assertiveness

Assertiveness is widely misunderstood, often equated with aggression, which is not. Here's more detail to give you a firm foundation in this area.

Assertiveness is: Submissive, assertive, and aggressive behavior.

Aggressive behavior: Being aggressive is not being assertive.

Submissive behavior: Being submissive is not being assertive.

Comparing behaviors: Comparing assertive, aggressive and submissive.

Building assertive beliefs: Beliefs drive behaviors.

Being assertive

Once you now know what assertiveness is, then here are some methods to help you on your way.

Asking: Asking the other person to do something.

Assertive Body Language: Non-verbals that work.

Disagreeing: Disagreeing with what they say and stating your own case.

Expressing Feelings: Saying what you feel.

Giving criticism: Constructively helping others improve.

My Agenda, Your Agenda: Balancing motivations.

Praise: Giving and getting it.

Receiving criticism: Taking criticism positively.

Saying no: Refusing, even when it is hard.

Standing up for your rights: You can have what is rightfully yours.

Saying what you want: You can want anything.

Speaking your truths: Saying what you believe.

The three-part message: Their behavior, your feelings, wider effects.

Understanding assertiveness