Effective Communication and Soft Skills

13

Assertiveness Skills

After reading this chapter, you will be familiar with:

• Behavioural aspects of assertive, aggressive, and non-assertive responses
• Verbal and non-verbal aspects of assertive, aggressive, and non-assertive responses
• Assertive/responsive model
• Advantages of assertiveness
• Strategies to overcome non-assertive behaviour

INTRODUCTION

Many people have difficulty speaking up in conflict situations. Others may feel intimidated by intimidating people, or have low self-esteem and regularly put aside their own desires in favour of what others want. This can result in a lack of assertiveness, low self-esteem, and helplessness. Lack of assertiveness makes you feel powerless. Sometimes, if we feel our rights are being violated, we need ...