When conveyed effectively, assertiveness is a behaviour that has huge benefits not only in your personal life, but also in professional areas.

Being assertive in the workplace and at home is a bit of a balancing act. You need to be assertive in expressing your points or concerns, however, you do not want to be overbearing.

Assertiveness translates into being confident and not afraid of sharing your wants and beliefs. When handled correctly, it reflects a person who is in control of their own actions, choices and knows when to speak up. Therefore, it can be a very positive behaviour.

In the workplace, assertiveness can benefit you by increasing your confidence when pitching ideas to colleagues, increase the visibility of your skillsets and talents, and help to gain respect from those above and below you. This increases your chances of a win-win outcome with any issue or tough situation that inevitably arises at work from time to time.

Understanding the difference between passive, aggressive and assertive behaviour allows us to choose a more assertive response in dealing with important relationships at home and work. This program can make that difference.

Specifically you will learn to:

• Differentiate between aggressive, assertive, and non-assertive behaviour.
• Respond assertively (verbally and non-verbally) in role play situations.
• Identify barriers to people acting assertively.
• Identify the use of irrational and negative self-talk (beliefs) and replace it with encouraging, more rational, positive self-talk.
• Deliver “I” messages in the form of requests and complaints.
• Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness skills in delaing with a variety of behaviours in others.