Assertiveness

Course Code: ASSERT

Duration: 1 Day

Course Aims:

Assertiveness – The win-win approach to relationships at work

Assertiveness is a way of relating to the outside world, backed up by a set of skills for effective communication. To be truly assertive, you need to recognise your worth and your right to enjoy life. At the same time you value others, respecting their right to an opinion and to enjoy themselves.

Course Pre-requisites:

This programme is for you if you want a toolkit of techniques to engage with other people, whilst also respecting your own needs. You will be encouraged to apply a range of methods to invoke behaviour that is more assertive and will learn how to communicate positively to achieve win-win outcomes.

Course Objectives:

On completion of this course delegates will be able to:
▪ Define assertive behaviour and demonstrate ways to communicate assertively
▪ Understand the true nature of assertiveness as distinct from aggression or submission
▪ Gain genuine confidence in communicating with others at all levels
▪ Develop the skills of assertive communication
▪ Increase self awareness around assertive behaviour and communication
▪ Meet your needs more effectively
▪ Build stronger relationships with others

Course Content:

Introduction and Objectives

The true nature of assertiveness
▪ Defining terms – what precisely is assertiveness?
▪ Breaking the myths and misconceptions

The benefits of communicating assertively
▪ How assertiveness impacts on relationships
▪ The negative impact of other approaches

Behaviour
▪ Behaviour – getting it in perspective
▪ The four behavioural options
▪ How our conditioning prevents us being assertive – the two ‘taboos’
▪ React or respond? – the distinctions

Rights and responsibilities
▪ An assertive ‘Bill of Rights’
▪ Two way street: Achieving a balance between
rights and responsibilities

Assertive language
▪ How we communicate
▪ The vital importance of integrity and
congruence
▪ Assertive tone and body language

Being responsive
▪ The power of active listening as an assertiveness tool
▪ Gaining empathy and understanding

Putting yourself forward
▪ Making requests and the psychology of asking for what we want
▪ Saying “no”
▪ Negative feelings assertion

Dealing with ‘difficult’ people
▪ Dissolving aggression in others
▪ Handling put downs
▪ Remaining calm and in control

Giving and receiving feedback and criticism
▪ “Soft on the person, hard on the issue”
▪ Key do’s and don’ts on feedback and criticism
▪ Dealing with compliments

Assessing your knowledge and putting the skills
into practice
▪ Practising techniques in a range of situations
▪ Making it happen – action planning

Action planning

Review of Programme