“Every time we speak, we choose and use one of four basic communication styles: assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive.” Jim Ron

Communication is literally at the core of our daily interventions. When it works, things flow magically and we feel productive, understood and part of a team. The reality is however that most of us find it difficult to be assertive in certain situations. It’s easier to be passive aggressive or just to avoid conflict in general than to speak your mind and express your opinion. Also, being assertive is at times being associated with being dominant or rude.

Technically, it’s about expressing your own point of view whilst feeling confident. Becoming a master of communicating authentically will not only foster your leadership skills but allow for thriving team dynamics that will propel in performance.

“The practice of assertiveness:

· being authentic in our dealings with others

· treating our values and persons with decent respect in social contexts 

· refusing to fake the reality of who we are or what we esteem in order to avoid disapproval

· the willingness to stand up for ourselves and our ideas in appropriate ways in appropriate contexts.”

Nathaniel Branden

There’s an excellent book out there by Chip & Dan Heath called Decisive. If you haven’t read it yet, maybe you would like to watch their TED video first and try our Worksheet with simple exercises on how to change your mindset.