Tips for How to Be Assertive at Work

1. Use “I” statements. …
2. Practice eye contact. …
3. Use body language. …
4. Get comfortable saying “no” …
5. Rehearse your conversations. …
6. Watch your emotions. …
7. Remember that you can’t control others. …
8. Remain open to positive and negative feedback.

How to be Assertive at Work [WITHOUT BEING AGGRESSIVE]

How is being assertive different from being aggressive?

People may occasionally misunderstand what assertiveness is and how it differs from aggression. However, recognizing this distinction is crucial to your success in the workplace. Being assertive means being able to effectively communicate your needs and emotions and get the results you want while also being sympathetic to the needs and desires of others. This contrasts with aggressiveness, which is characterized by obtrusive energy and initiative. An assertive person can still establish and uphold healthy working relationships.

What is assertiveness in the workplace?

A crucial communication skill for the workplace is assertiveness, which enables you to stand up for yourself in a way that is respectful and appropriate for the workplace. Being assertive entails being assured when expressing your abilities, goals, and capabilities without being intrusive. Assertive people can effectively advocate for themselves and their interests. People who are assertive simply ask for the respect they deserve, not better treatment than anyone else. Additionally, assertive people understand when and how to decline a request.

Benefits of being assertive in the workplace

Being assertive at work in the right way can benefit you, your team, and your company as a whole in a number of ways. The benefits of appropriate workplace assertiveness include:

Self-esteem and self-confidence improve

You will feel better about yourself and perform better at work as you become more aware of the value you have to offer and who you are.

Greater contributions to team performance

Better team performance is the result when each team member is confident that their teammates will communicate with positive feedback when the project is going well and with constructive feedback when improvements are needed. By being assertive, you can ensure that your team members are communicating effectively and that everyone—including you—is contributing to the team’s success as a whole.

Stress management skills improve

When you are assertive, you feel comfortable voicing your concerns and helping to solve issues or problems. Additionally, you feel equipped to handle interpersonal problems as they arise in a respectful and composed manner. All of this helps reduce stress and make the workplace a healthier, happier place for everyone.

How to develop assertiveness skills

There are a number of things you can do to develop your assertiveness abilities if you tend to be more passive naturally and would like to learn how to confidently defend yourself. To improve your workplace assertiveness, take the following actions:

1. Improve your self-confidence

Developing self-confidence is critical to learning to be assertive. When you have self-confidence, you can advocate for yourself without worrying about what other people think or say. Learning more about yourself is one way to improve this ability. You can feel more assured in your skills and abilities by giving your goals some serious thought and considering why you deserve to achieve those goals. Realizing that you are entitled to happiness on par with everyone else can give you the self-assurance you require to advocate for yourself.

You can also make an effort to comprehend your emotions better and take steps to carry out the activities that make you feel good about yourself and motivate you to give your best performance. You can become more self-assured and assertive by realizing that your feelings, needs, rights, and contributions are just as significant as anyone else’s.

2. Communicate your needs confidently

It’s not just about having a better experience or feeling better when you speak up for yourself. It also helps you perform to the best of your abilities and benefits the whole business in addition to you. You may feel more comfortable and able to assertively voice your needs once you realize that being assertive benefits both you and your company. Instead of waiting for someone else—like a supervisor—to notice that you are lacking something necessary to perform at your best and be successful, speak up for yourself.

You can get practice at this by discussing with coworkers and upper management the tools and resources you require to finish a project or reach a goal. After stating your needs clearly, make sure to follow up to ensure that they are properly met. If there is something that you feel would be beneficial to you but is not currently an option, kindly request that the decision be reviewed in the future.

3. Understand you can only control your behavior

It’s crucial to understand that you have no control over other people’s behavior. If your assertiveness has been misinterpreted at work, you can only control how you stand up for yourself. There is nothing wrong with defending your own rights and needs at work as long as you continue to be considerate of other people’s time and needs.

4. Practice being assertive

The best way to successfully become more assertive at work is to practice doing so in typical workplace scenarios before they occur at work, just like with any other skill you seek to develop. For instance, you can role-play with a friend or relative to ensure that you are ready for the various reactions you might encounter and that you are speaking up for yourself in a way that will elicit a favorable response.

Practice actively listening to others’ needs and feelings while having a candid conversation about your own needs. You should feel more at ease and be able to maintain your composure and good manners when dealing with similar situations in the workplace after practicing being assertive in typical work scenarios.

FAQ

How can I be assertive without being rude at work?

1. Express with confidence.
2. Respect others & themselves.
3. Are not rude or manipulating.
4. Know and protect their boundaries and priorities.
5. Are deliberate about choices.
6. Disagree openly.
7. Have their own opinions.
8. Listen to others.

What are the 3 C’s of assertive communication?

What Are The Three Cs Of Assertive Communication? Confidence: You have faith in your capacity to handle a situation Clear – Your message is concise and understandable. Controlled: You convey information in a collected and measured way.

How do I teach myself to be assertive?

1. Express needs clearly and directly, without feeling guilty.
2. Stand up for your beliefs even when others disagree.
3. Communicate efficiently and effectively.
4. Maintain a positive attitude and growth mindset.
5. Be confident about sharing your opinions and feelings.

What are 8 keys to assertive behavior?

The eight keys in the book—Recognize Your Hidden Anger, Reconnect Your Emotions to Your Thoughts, Listen to Your Body, Set Healthy Boundaries, Communicate Assertively, Interact Using Mindfulness—offer effective strategies for transforming passive-aggression into healthy assertiveness to communicate in constructive ways.