Get Adobe Flash player

Assertiveness Training

 “Things that matter most
must never be at the mercy of things which matter least”
Goethe

On this page
Introduction
Workshop Session Plan
Key Learning Outcomes

Workshop Focus:
Learning strategies on how to assert your needs and concerns positively
Target Audience:
Staff and management
Duration:
Half day workshop
Expected Outcomes:
Improved communication in the workplace where staff learn to be proactive in asserting their needs and concerns without conflict which enhances efficiency, productivity and harmony.
Here is a video to whet your appetite on assertiveness by Brian Carroll, Pyschologist

 

Introduction

Assertiveness is a skill few in society understand.  It is neither aggressive or passive, it is the ability to assert one’s needs and concerns without domination and within a forum of respect and sharing power. An assertive person is one who is able to assert themselves without evoking feelings of defensiveness or negativity.  The ability to assert enables people to reclaim their power, to work effectively with others and is a powerful communication skill that builds trust, understanding and team work.

It is important to note what happens when people are not assertive. Often mistakes will happen because a person was too shy to speak up or lacked confidence. They may have noticed a mistake in statistics but it was not there job to say anything as the workplace is risk adverse. How many accidents have we heard about in the media because a person didn’t communicate an issue as it arose. Another important factor is that great ideas can be lost because staff have not felt they are able to assert themselves, or point out the gaps they see in a strategy or perhaps the flaw in a design. Assertiveness enables people to speak up, own ideas, feel inclusivity and deal with problems in a way that does not escalate an issue but is helpful to all concerned, even if it is criticism.

Ricardo Semler was a Brazillian renowned for his radical style of industrial democracy. His innovative business management practices attracted worldwide attention. Examples of his ideas included: letting his employees set their own hours, design their workplace, choose their own IT, share all information and have no secrets. He was not concerned about mistakes but encouraged full disclosure (openness). This resulted in a very effective workplace. The employees were empowered and asserted themselves, working for the best interests of the company.  How many good ideas have been stifled due to exclusivity, fear and insecure cultures?

Therefore, learning assertiveness is important to all organisations and unleashes the latent potential of people and prevents conflicts through openness, good communication and building community.

Workshop Session Plan

The workshop session plan is as follows:

  • Definition of assertiveness
  • Are we assertive?
  • Wearing masks
  • What was the Milgram Experiment?
  • Assertiveness – Do you flow or block?
  • Stepping forward in assertiveness
  • Articulately being heard
  • Balancing needs and sharing space
  • Communicating with I-Statements
  • Undertaking Role Plays
  • Learning to listen to hear
  • The assertiveness triangle

 

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Participants will learn what assertiveness means
  • Participants will understand how many wear masks in organisations and how to become more authentic
  • Participants will learn about the importance of speaking up when a topic is against their conscience
  • Participants will learn how to assert without creating undue resistance or conflict
  • Participants will learn the confidence to step up and how to deliver their message without defensiveness
  • Participants will learn listening skills in order to understand the difference in listening to speak and listening to hear
  • Participants will understand that communication is about balance and sharing space
  • Participants will learn how to use I-Statements to state their case from their own perspective
  • Participants will learn about the assertiveness triangle and understand the differences between passive and aggressive styles