Assertiveness at work: 7 keys to improve it
Effective communication it is one of the variables that positively affect the good progress of the organization. Among the basic communication skills, assertiveness stands out, which is characterized by the ability of a person to express their thoughts, feelings, emotions and opinions firmly, always respecting the thoughts and feelings that other people have.
In this article we will see present some tips to improve assertiveness at work .
- Related article: "Assertiveness: 5 basic habits to improve communication"
Assertiveness and the different types of communication
Knowing how to say "no" is not always easy. Neither is it to show our opinions and emotions clearly, bearing in mind that other people also have their values, opinions and make their own decisions. But although some people have difficulties doing so, it is possible to learn to be assertive .
Generally, there are usually different types of communication, among them passive, aggressive and assertive communication.
- Related article: "The 28 types of communication and their characteristics"
Your benefits in the company
Assertive people know their own rights, which they defend, always aware of the needs of others. These individuals speak fluently and safely and are relaxed. They do not mind talking openly about what they think and what are the reasons for their opinions.
But, what benefits does assertiveness bring? In summary, the most important are the following:
- Self-knowledge and emotional management They improve when the person is assertive, because empathy is necessary to be assertive.
- This ability allows a greater sense of control over what surrounds the person and about oneself.
- It allows put limits to our behavior and help interpersonal relationships, mark red lines that we should not cross.
- The self-esteem of the person also improves.
- Effective communication is key so that the environment or work climate is positive and, therefore, the results of the organization will also be positive.
- Life satisfaction of individuals is greater, since communicating effectively helps to live more rewarding experiences.
- It is key to resolve conflicts and also prevent them.
To learn more about these benefits, you can read our article: "The 8 benefits of assertiveness: what are they?"
Tips to improve assertive communication at work
Aware of these benefits, in the following lines we have prepared a list of keys to improve the working environment.
1. Recognize that you are valuable and accept the differences
Assertive people are people who enjoy good self-esteem and who are aware of their worth, since, otherwise, it is not possible to express what one thinks and, at the same time, recognize that the other actors in the relationship also have their needs and opinions. Self confidence It must be high in order to be open to others.
In addition, respecting oneself is essential in order to respect others, and accepting that we are all different is also the principle of assertive communication.
2. Know your limits and respect them
Knowing the limits of oneself and respecting them is a step of great importance to become an assertive person. Assertiveness has to do with knowing how to say "no" when someone does not want to do something, but always respecting others. For this reason, it is worthwhile to devote efforts to recognize the extent to which our capabilities Do not assume unrealizable tasks .
Not only is it essential to know what are the limits of oneself, but also the rights that it has. For example, to be treated with respect and dignity, to make decisions, to rest, etc.
- Related article: "Learning to say" No ""
3. Learn that you do not always win
Assertiveness is expressing one's opinions, but it has nothing to do with imposing them; that is, it has nothing to do with winning all the battles. To be assertive It's good to know what you want, but also what the other person wants .
On the other hand, assertiveness has to do with being fair, and that is why it is necessary to know that being assertive is not imposing our opinions. As with negotiations, it is about finding balance, not wanting to always win.
4. Listen actively
Sometimes we think we are listening to someone when we actually hear. In this sense, and especially in the case of assertiveness, we must actively listen.
Active listening refers to not only taking into account the speaker's spoken message, but also also his nonverbal language and his emotional communication . For this reason, we must let the other person express himself, we should not interrupt him with our opinions, or think about the answer before it has been expressed in its entirety.
Active listening is an art. If you want to know, you can read this article: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"
5. Be aware of the difference between assertive and aggressive communication
Many people think that verbalizing their own opinions may be to impose their own judgment over others. However, assertiveness refers to how things are said, because despite exposing the point of view, also it is necessary to give objective reasons and do not despise the other interlocutor.
Assertive communication is not to be aggressive nor does it refer to imposing the law itself. It has to do with creating a communicative climate in which one can speak openly about one's opinions regardless of differences.
6. Improve emotional intelligence
Assertive people are aware of their emotions and know how to regulate them, that is why they are good at relating to others.
In this sense, being emotionally intelligent is key, since empathy is one of its basic components, which is crucial when it comes to understanding and adequately managing how another person feels. In short, be emotionally intelligent allows to adjust the tone and message to the circumstances .
- Related article: "What is Emotional Intelligence? Discovering the importance of emotions"
7. Attend an assertiveness workshop
Although many times people speak of assertive people and people who are not, this ability can be learned. There are many courses that teach how to become an assertive person and thus benefit from its advantages.
In addition, it is also possible to attend emotional intelligence courses such as those you will find in this article: "The 6 best courses in Emotional Intelligence and Personal Development"
