How to be Assertive at Work

People are often scared of being too assertive at work, afraid they will be seen as aggressive or rude. Learn how to be strong in a respectful, professional way.

Office politics can be brutal. Many professionals get taken advantage of simply because they are afraid of standing up for themselves. It can be intimidating to confront difficult situations at work. Most people don’t want to be considered rude or disrespectful, so they accept things that happen and don’t speak up when they’re frustrated. Eventually, they end up quitting and moving on without ever having tried to be assertive.

Of course, there are ways to be both assertive and professional. It is a delicate balance but one that is well worth the effort.

First off, being assertive does not mean being pushy. It doesn’t have to be confrontational or rude. It simply means being straight-forward and strong. If you have an idea, opinion or problem to address, being assertive tells others you mean business. Here are a few tips to help you be more assertive without upsetting others or harming your reputation at the office.

Don’t Make Demands
Being assertive doesn’t mean you will always get your way. You must still make reasonable requests and expect that sometimes you’ll get exactly what you want and sometimes you won’t. Being a professional is all about compromise. You must be willing to negotiate. Unless you are the top boss, making demands won’t get you very far.

Address Issues Directly
If you have a problem with someone or something, don’t beat around the bush. Don’t gossip with others, complain to co-workers or write mean things on your blog. Confront the situation head on by speaking with the people directly involved.

Project Confidence
It is much easier to take advantage of someone who seems meek and submissive than someone who appears poised and self-confident. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by those in authority. Maintain a self-assured image even when in doubt. Always be professional but stand your ground. Set appropriate limits and learn how to say “no” when necessary.

Control Emotions
Don’t let frustration or anger get the better of you. In a professional environment, being emotional is a sign of weakness. If you’re feeling stressed, take a few minutes in private to breathe deep and re-focus yourself. Be cautious of sharing your feelings with co-workers as it may come back and bite you in the future.

Remember Your Value
It’s much easier to be assertive when you remember that you are a valuable member of the organization you work for. Your presence and contribution are important. They didn’t hire you to blend into the background. Let your voice be heard, show your personality and be strong. Don’t be afraid of being assertive. It is definitely possible to do it without upsetting others or looking aggressive. If done in the correct way, being assertive will help you build a powerful reputation in any business.

By Christine Scivicque

How To Be Assertive: Advance Your Career By Being Assertive

Knowing how to be assertive in the workplace is a great advantage for you. After all, the big bosses won’t care about your attendance record or how well you make coffee. They’re more interested in, and are more likely to remember, employees who are determined and carry out their own ideas.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re at work or at a doughnut shop. Learning how to be assertive is the first step to achieving your bigger goals and ambitions.

It’s your ticket to success. However, there are a few key points you must remember and practice before you set out to take that step.

Being Assertive Is Not Being Aggressive.

Many people make the mistake of thinking these two concepts are the same. You know better than that. Being aggressive can backfire on you big time.

Your co-workers, and even your employers, might feel intimidated or turned off by your aggressiveness. You don’t want to scare them away, do you?

Be subtle. If you have an idea, pitch it in a “soft” way. But don’t overwhelm the whole office with it.

Assertiveness Rests on Self-Confidence.

You won’t ever get past the first step if you don’t even have self-confidence. Learning how to be assertive includes improving all your other skills.

Try talking to yourself in front of the mirror. If you can’t even do that, then how do you expect to convince your boss of your credibility? You might even have to work on your stance and observe your body language.

Practicing how to be assertive in the workplace gives you many benefits that extend beyond your 9-5 timetable. You can also use the skills you have honed when trying to socialize with other people. Just remember that moderation is key, and that you are capable of becoming a self-confident and assertive person.

 

By Michael Lee