Most professionals that I have worked with have shared with me that they want to sound more confident, yet not all expressed that they are capable of being assertive.
Assertiveness is a fine balancing act that falls somewhere between being passive and aggressive. If you are passive in voicing your point of view, you will come across as meek. If, on the other hand, your communication style verges towards aggression, you may be considered a bully. Yet, when one learns to be assertive, they stand a better chance of achieving their objective. Being assertive means being able to speak and interact in a manner that is respectful towards others whilst standing up for yourself as well.
Adopting an assertive communication style is beneficial for multiple reasons. On an interpersonal level, it builds greater self-confidence and generates a positive self-image whilst also exhibiting greater self-control. On a social level, it fosters more respect for others’ viewpoints, increases the likelihood of finding positive solutions and ultimately leads to stronger relationships.
As professionals, we come across numerous situations where we are in disagreement and we need to communicate in an effective and non-confrontational way. I was recently working with the HR team of an organisation on a communication skills related project, which they would like to implement across the organisation. As we went through the objectives of the project, the HR leader repeatedly emphasised the valid point of enabling the HR team members to become stronger communicators. His goal is to empower them to feel as confident as can be, in putting their arguments forward to other senior leaders in the organisation, without feeling hesitant at all.
Assertive communication involves a combination of various verbal and nonverbal qualities. It is critical to pay attention to both your body language as well as the actual words that you say. You need to ensure that you are congruent in your deliberate choice of words, tone of voice and body language.
Here are eight characteristics of an assertive communication style:
Being assertive and stating what you believe in is not the same as being arrogant or aggressive. You simply need to know how to say it with confidence. Assertive communication at work is associated with a more satisfying career. By practicing this valuable communication skill, you will gain more respect and build better relationships too. Speaking up for yourself, or for others, leads to positive outcomes. After all, assertiveness is not only about ourselves; it is about creating a voice in support of justice for all of us.
You can reach Michelle Fenech Seguna on michelle@speaktomove.com.mt or access www.speaktomove.com.mt for more information.
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