How To Communicate With Assertiveness: 16 Strategies
If you want to understand how to communicate assertively, you will love this article.
Assertiveness is a direct and honest way of communicating with others while still showing respect. This involves being clear about one’s thoughts and desires, and not hesitating about expressing them. Assertive individuals can communicate without getting angry or letting their emotions take over.
Developing assertiveness takes practice, but by focusing on expressing needs, using facts rather than blaming, and showing respect for others, one can become skilled at this effective method of communication.
How to Communicate With Assertiveness:
1. Being assertive means being clear and direct about your needs and expectations.
Passive individuals tend to hide or fulfill their needs, while assertive individuals are straightforward in stating what they want and asking for it. To practice assertiveness, try making direct statements when expressing your thoughts or needs. It’s important to respect other people’s needs and schedules, but do not avoid expressing your own needs to accommodate others.
Boundaries are a vital aspect of assertiveness and it is vital to communicate them clearly to others. For example, if someone at work is interfering with your ability to complete a task, tell them firmly that the distraction is a problem for you and suggest a special time to meet and discuss the problem.
It’s important to have a clear understanding of your values and priorities in order to communicate them effectively to others. Make sure you know precisely what you want, need, or consider before disclosing it to others.
2. Use “I” statements to express your own needs and wants, rather than “you” statements, which may come across as blaming or aggressive.
“I” statements focus on your own perspective and needs, rather than blaming someone else.
For example, rather than saying “You are always making it difficult for me to do my job,” use “I” statements such as “I need better resources to do my job well and efficiently.”
When expressing your needs, focus on what you want and need, rather than blaming someone else. Blame can come across as aggressive rather than assertive.
3. Assertive communication involves the ability to say no respectfully.
Passive individuals may struggle to say no at all, while aggressive individuals may not appreciate their refusal. Assertive people may say “no” when they really cannot do something or accommodate someone, but they do it respectfully. If you are unable to complete an assignment or challenge, try offering another or resource.
For example, if a client asks you to do a project that’s beyond your job duties and expertise, you can firmly say, “I can’t do it for you right now, but I know a specialist in another department who might be able to help. Let me get their phone number for you. It’s helpful to provide an explanation for your “no,” but it’s not necessary to communicate as assertively.
4. Work on speaking in a more professional manner.
Keep track of your speech patterns and make adjustments if you are not assertive. Avoid using casual or unprofessional language. You may find that you speak too fast or use a raised tone of voice because you are unsure whether the other person will listen or if what you are saying is true.
These habits undermine assertiveness because they communicate uncertainty and insecurity. By changing them, you can improve your assertive communication skills.
5. Assertive communication also involves using the right body language.
It’s important to make sure your body language is confident and relaxed, including maintaining good eye contact and having an upright posture. When speaking, keep your back straight and shoulders back. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can appear closed or defensive. Watch your facial expressions and try not to furrow or furrow your brows.
Also, pay attention to muscle tension in your body and take deep breaths or stretches to help relax. Keep in mind, while maintaining eye contact is important, avoid staring as it can come across as aggressive or intimidating.
6. Instead of exaggerating, use factual statements.
This can help you stay focused and avoid conflict. For example, when discussing a task you don’t want to do, state how long you think it will take, such as “I estimate it will take me a month to prepare,” rather than saying something like “This is going to take a long time. .” This way you communicate factually rather than using hyperbole that could be misconstrued.
7. Keep your response short and easy.
When communicating assertively, avoid using too many words to describe yourself (1). Speak confidently and directly, while remaining polite. Instead of giving long-winded explanations, keep your statements short and relevant.
Avoid using filler words like “like,” “um,” or “yes,” preferably pausing. This will make it easier for others to understand your request and make you appear more confident.
8. Prepare in advance what you want to say.
If you know you must talk to someone a couple of need, concern, or opinion, prepare ahead of time. Practice staying calm, speaking clearly, and making positive statements that express your needs.
Some people find it helpful to write scripts or practice with friends or colleagues. If you have someone who plays a role in the conversation with you, ask them for feedback on how you can improve. If you do not feel snug making a decision on the spot, have some pre-written answers that you can use in numerous situations.
9. Evaluate your interactions with other people every day.
Take time at the end of the day to reflect on how you communicate with others. Recognize the moments where you were assertive and congratulate yourself. Also, consider areas where you could be more assertive and consider how you might improve the situation in the future.
Ponder questions like, where do you demonstrate assertive communication? Was there a chance for you to become more assertive that you missed? Are there times when you try to be assertive but seem aggressive?
10. Acknowledge other people’s emotions.
When communicating assertively, it is also important to listen actively and show that you understand the viewpoint and emotions of the person you are talking to. This does not imply you must agree with them, but it is vital to validate their feelings and show that you are willing to work together.
For example, you could say, “I understand that you are concerned about the cost of this item, but I believe the time we saved creating the report will cover the initial cost.”
11. Manage your emotions effectively.
Strong emotions such as anger or crying can diminish the assertiveness and tranquility of your speech. Try to control your emotions when communicating with other people. Avoid using offensive language or curses.
If you start to feel irritated, take a few deep breaths and count to three between each inhalation and exhalation to help calm down. Repeat this until you feel calm enough to continue. If you find it difficult to regain your composure, respectfully ask for a break and get away from the situation to regain control of your emotions.
12. Communicate the implications of not respecting your boundaries.
If someone continues to disregard your needs or requests, it is vital to set firm boundaries and communicate the implications for not honoring them. This could include ending the relationship or limiting interactions until they show respect for your wants and needs. Speak calmly and clearly, without letting your emotions cloud your reasoning.
For example, you could say something like, “I understand that you have to be home by 8 p.m. to take care of your kids, but I need the mornings to be alone with my wife. If you can’t respect my wishes, we won’t be able to spend any more time together.”
13. Show appreciation to others when they meet your needs.
When someone does something for you, make sure to express your gratitude. Express your gratitude in a genuine and genuine way, whether through a written note or in person.
Also, make sure to return the favor by being open and willing to listen when they share their needs or concerns with you. For example, you could say, “I really appreciate the time and energy you put into completing this project. It wouldn’t be possible without your help. Let me know if there is anything I can do to support you in the future.”
14. When someone’s behavior makes you uncomfortable, use assertive communication to address the problem and suggest alternatives.
Instead of passively expecting change or getting frustrated, talk to the person directly and express how you feel. Give them specific solutions or suggestions that will make you more snug.
For example, “I understand that you need a pen, but I would feel uncomfortable if you took mine without asking. Can you ask me before picking up or picking up from the stock room yourself. In this way, you are not only expressing your discomfort, but also providing the person with a specific action that will solve the problem.
15. When dealing with an aggressive attorney, such as a telemarketer or campaigner, state your needs firmly and follow up with action.
Communicate your desires clearly and take action if the behavior continues. For example, if a telemarketer won’t stop calling (2), tell them you are not interested in their product and ask to be removed from their list. If they keep calling, take steps like writing down their information and reporting it to the appropriate authorities or blocking their number.
16. Use assertive communication to express your desires clearly and confidently.
In certain scenarios, such as asking for a raise, you can take the initiative to communicate assertively. State clearly what you want and why, while remaining open to dialogue.
For example, when asking for a raise, tell your boss, “I’d like to discuss the possibility of a raise. I have consistently exceeded expectations in my department by 30% and I believe my hard work should be reflected in my salary. My goal is to achieve a 7% increase, can we work towards that?”
Let others respond and have interaction in productive conversations. Being demanding rather than asking can negatively impact your chances of getting what you want.
Thank you for reading this article on how to communicate with assertiveness and I actually hope you take my advice into action.
I wish you good luck and that I hope that its content has been a good help to you.
