3 Key benefits of Assertive Communication: Easy Tips to Develop it!
Assertiveness is a life skill, useful both in the world of work and in everyday life. However, the reactions and behaviors we have today are the results of several years of good conditioning.
Developing assertive communication is not something that happens overnight: it is with a lot of practice, you will get there that you will become more equipped for it.
You may not always get what you want, but you will know that you have done your best by following simple tips. In this perspective, we write this article to share the benefits of assertive communication in the workplace.
Assertive communication refers to the ability to express one’s ideas, opinions and messages while remaining calm, not submissive, constructively delivering a speech.
To sum up, to be assertive is to remain firm on the substance while avoiding flight, aggression, and advocacy.
Assertiveness is a way of being to one another and oneself. It is a skill that requires relational agility, good self-awareness, the ability to listen to others, and a propensity to “distance” what is at play in interpersonal interaction and communication.
It is not always easy to identify assertive behavior. Why? The distinction between assertiveness and aggression is sometimes subtle.
In terms of mental and behavioral posture, we are assertive when:
- Assertive people seek and create win-win scenarios, and they aim for compromise rather than persuasion;
- They understand the value of communicating their needs and beliefs, but their pride is not undermined if their solution is not the one that prevails;
- Confident and sure about themselves, these individuals approach situations objectively and are thus able to communicate clearly and meet challenges without too much stress;
- Assertive people welcome critics serenely and consider them as welcome areas for improvement;
Assertiveness is a highly sought-after quality in the business. Whether it is a matter of resolving a conflict or deciding a decision, it allows one to remain firm with one’s convictions while remaining flexible in form. This is very often a priority area of development addressed in the
What are the benefits of Assertive Communication?
Clarity
Some preconceived notions suggest that assertive people only want to do things their way and are dominant. But it is not! If someone is assertive, he dares to give his opinion, but he also considers that of others.
It is, therefore, a great advantage to work with assertive employees: they are clear about their needs, know how to give their opinion without imposing it, and know their limits.
Reliability and honesty
Another advantage of assertiveness is that it can be guarantee reliability. Assertive employees do not say “yes” to a mission if they cannot carry it out. They also dare to give their opinion at meetings.
It may seem advantageous for all employees to come forward during a meeting. Still, it is preferable for someone to immediately say that they disagree with the decision taken, rather than a hidden disagreement that causes problems afterward.
Employees must be able to honestly say what they want, what they can do, and that they dare to say “no” when necessary.
Reduced stress
Not daring to express one’s opinion can cause stress, and when tension builds up, there are health risks. As a human resources manager, for example, you naturally hope to prevent these situations.
Three tips to Develop assertiveness at Work
Tip #1: Express your needs with confidence
To be the best you can be, you have to know your priorities and make sure they’re met. At work, making concessions is excellent and average. However, it is essential to establish where one’s own needs are while being careful not to sacrifice the needs of others.
Tip #2: Learn to say no
Saying “no” is difficult, mainly when a person is not used to it. It is vital to remind your employees that they are entitled to do so when necessary to protect their time and workload.
Knowing their limitations and the amount of work they can do will help them manage their tasks more effectively and develop assertiveness.
However, when they have to say “no,” it is vital that they be in the solution proposal or, at the very least, in a position open to proposing suitable solutions for everyone.
Tip #3 Knowing how to listen and receive feedback
An assertive person knows how to listen to what others have to say about him, without taking it as a personal provocation or having some relationship that causes any problem.
After all, he understands that sometimes he may not see certain things the way someone outside of the situation can.
The assertive individual is also a born listener, knowing how to analyze opinions and filter what is exciting and add to them. It also recognizes the importance of feedback.
When everything is going well, it is not difficult to remain assertive. To know if one is assertive, one must confront difficult situations, stressful situations.
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5 Techniques to remain Assertive in all Circumstances
| Be clear about the messages you want to convey | What are your convictions? What are the vital ideas of your message? |
| Reassure your interlocutor | Tell your interlocutor your wish to find a standard solution. |
| Listen to your interlocutor. | Rephrase what your interlocutor is saying to establish a genuine dialogue between your ideas;Your convictions, your strong messages, and those of your interlocutor. |
| Be prepared to change your mind. | Assertiveness does not mean “never make a mistake”;We must also be able to say finally you are right, let’s see how we can with your ideas and your proposals that convinced me, build new solutions;Lack of assertiveness often goes hand in hand with a refusal to be wrong, rejection of criticism, and feedback. |
| Be mindful of your emotions and those of others. | The objective is first to understand, for oneself, what our emotions mean to us regarding our needs, our request to the other;Don’t forget to ask the person about their feelings, especially if you feel that the person is uncomfortable. |
Conclusion
When you become an assertive person, you have more control over your own life. Not to mention that it still diminishes the need for other people’s approval of their actions. This makes you more self-confident, with balanced self-esteem.
Reference and Further Reading
AcethePresentation. AmadeBai, Emidio. 10 Critical Communication Skills.
CSUMS. Top 3 reasons to take a Professional Communication Skills Course.
MindTools. How to Be Assertive – Communication Skills Training.
