
You CAN be assertive without being aggressive. Communication plays one of the biggest roles in making an organization run smoothly and effectively, and being assertive is an important skill to have in order to add to and function within that system. Last week I wrote about the Non-Violent Communication method designed by American psychologist Marshall B. Rosenberg. A method of communication that puts people at the center of its approach to tackling challenges.
Ways of communicating can be divided into three categories: Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive. Both passive and aggressive communication can lead to high tension and friction in a work environment, making some people feel unheard and resentful.
Assertive communication is the way away from miscommunication mishaps. When all members of a team, or employees of an organization communicate assertively – open dialogue and honesty is encouraged, each person will have a confident understanding of their own set of responsibilities, and therefore will be more adept at dealing with challenges in collaboration with their peers. As a result, minimizing the chances of strained relationships, uncompleted tasks, and burn-out in their teams.
I always advise to lead by example, as leaders can best nurture assertive skills in their employees by applying those skills themselves in the workplace and creating a highly reflective environment. This can be stimulated by having weekly check-ins with employees and annual workshops that provide productive communication training.
If you are seeking to introduce assertive communication as a leading practice in your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can discuss how I could be of possible support to you and your teams/organization.