Assertiveness at work: 7 keys to improve it

effective communication It is one of the variables that positively affect the smooth running 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 in a firm way, 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 showing our opinions and emotions clearly, taking into account that other people also have their values, opinions and make their own decisions. But even if some people have a hard time doing it, it is possible to learn to be assertive.

Generally, we usually talk about 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 confidently and appear relaxed. They don't 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-awareness and emotional management they improve when the person is assertive, since empathy is necessary to be able to be assertive.
• This ability allows a greater sense of control over what surrounds the person and over oneself.
• It allows put limits on 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 for the work environment or climate to be 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 resolving conflicts and also preventing 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 work environment.

1. Recognize that you are valuable and accept differences

Assertive people are people who enjoy good self-esteem and that they are aware of their worth, since, otherwise, it is not possible to express what one think 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 to be able to open up to others.

In addition, respecting oneself is essential to be able to respect others, and accepting that we are all different is also the beginning of assertive communication.

2. Know your limits and respect them

Knowing one's limits and respecting them is a very important step 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 worth dedicating efforts to recognize the extent of our capacities to not taking on unrealizable tasks.

It is not only essential to know what your limits are, but also what rights you have. For example, to be treated with respect and dignity, to make one's own decisions, to rest, etc.

• Related article: "Learning to say "No""

3. Learn that you don't always win

Assertiveness is expressing one's own 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's about finding balance, not always wanting to win.

4. actively listen

Sometimes we think we are listening to someone when we are actually hearing. In this sense, and especially in the case of assertiveness, we must listen actively.

Active listening refers to not only taking into account the speaker's spoken message, but also their non-verbal language and their emotional communication. For this reason, we must let the other person express himself, we must not interrupt him with our opinions, nor think about the answer before it has been fully expressed.

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 imposing their own judgment over others. However, assertiveness refers to how things are said, because despite exposing the point of view, it is also it is necessary to give objective reasons and the other interlocutor will not be despised.

Assertive communication is not being aggressive nor does it refer to imposing one's own law. It has to do with creating a communicative climate in which you can talk openly about each other's opinions regardless of differences.

6. Improves emotional intelligence

Assertive people are aware of their emotions and know how to regulate them, which is why they are good at relating to others.

In this sense, being emotionally intelligent is key, since empathy is one of its components. basics, which is decisive when it comes to understanding and properly managing how another person feels person. In short, being emotionally intelligent allows to adapt the tone and message to the circumstances.

• Related article: "What is emotional intelligence? Discovering the importance of emotions"

7. Attend an assertiveness workshop

Despite the fact that many times people talk about assertive people and people who are not, this skill 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 like the ones you will find in this article: “The 6 best Emotional Intelligence and Personal Development courses”