Assertiveness is a healthy way of communication, it is the ability to speak for oneself in a way that is honest and respectful. Assertiveness is also standing up for your rights, to state your opinion and to claim what is rightfully yours.
Assertiveness is commonly mistaken as defending oneself at the cost of others’ respect and dignity. Being outrageous and fierce is not assertiveness neither is being polite and a silent listener considered as assertiveness. Assertiveness is expressing your needs, perspectives and decisions without hurting or disregarding others’ needs, perspectives and decisions.
Individuals lack assertiveness in two ways.
- Being Aggressive and Outrageous: People who are always aggressive and outrageous face the issue of opposition and ignorance.
- Being Polite and Feeble: People who are always polite and feeble face the issue of being burdened and taken for granted.
Assertiveness is not the extremes as seen above, it is being firm so that you are respected and honoured. Lacking assertiveness can be problematic as it allows the third party to manipulate an individual’s communication in an unhealthy, offensive and deviant manner.
An unassertive person can be trained to be assertive through counselling services. Therapeutic procedure such as ‘Assertiveness Training’ is helpful in training the person to become more assertive in their day to day life. Therapist will be closely associated with the individual over a period of time guiding him/her through various situations that demands assertiveness.
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