ASSERTIVENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Assertiveness at work is increasingly desirable. People live with greater expectations than before – insistent demands – a relentless high speed and pressurised working environment, less people and resources to accomplish more, competing against a desire to find a work life balance.

Work can be the most fulfilling time of our lives – we’re likely to spend up to half of it there. However this is not the experience of many, who find themselves full of self doubt, lacking in confidence, frustrated and not respected. Assertiveness training can re-ignite our sense of self worth, improve relationships and help us achieve the respect to which we’re entitled to.

People have different views of what it means to be assertive. Indeed, often people attend Assertiveness training to get more of their own way or be more aggressive in the way they express themselves. Yet it is one of the paradoxes of life that attending to others’ needs helps you achieve more of your own! Where you can find a solution that has mutual gain and maintains the dignity and respect of all concerned, you are more likely to achieve a long lasting result that all parties want to sign up to.

Assertion is about behaviour and not people. Those who attend Assertiveness training are taught the difference between assertiveness and aggression and how to remain assertive in situations where they would normally become aggressive or just back down and not say what they want.

Anyone who wants to be more confident at work and beyond would benefit from developing assertive tools and techniques. Those people who attended assertiveness training report that they are better able to:

• Be valued for who they are
• Ask for what they’re entitled to
• Say ‘no’ and become better at managing their time
• Have their opinions and ideas respected and heard
• Stand up for themselves
• Handle difficult situations calmly and successfully

Assertiveness training can provide a step by step guide to:

Asking for a pay rise or promotion
Handling aggression
Contributing to meetings
Making presentations
Managing staff
Handling Senior Managers

Finally, assertiveness goes beyond the many behavioural techniques taught, because at the centre of assertion is a belief system focussed on how we respect ourselves and others.

‘Assertiveness is not about being liked it’s about being respected’

By Suzanne and Conrad Potts authors of Entitled to Respect: How to be confident and assertive in the workplace. Visit www.entitled-to-respect.co.uk