Assertiveness Skills: Communicating with Authority and

Impact
you will learn how to
Develop a positive, assertive style
Respond productively to challenging behavior patterns in others
Build a personal skill set that will enable you to react positively in demanding situations
Improve your relationships through a productive and powerful attitude
Apply assertiveness skills in personal and professional situations
Generate the results you want when dealing with other people
course benefits
Professionals at all levels need the ability to proect their thoughts and ideas with an assertive
communication style! "hrough workshops, practice sessions, video demonstrations, self assessments, real#
playing and role#playing activities, you gain the confidence to behave assertively! $ou learn to set
boundaries, send the right verbal and non#verbal cues and respectfully ask for what you want!
who should attend
"his course is valuable for anyone who wants to enhance their assertiveness skills, build a confident,
credible image and develop effective workplace relationships!
%&periential activities, including real playing and role#playing, allow you to simulate real#world situations and
practice the skills and techni'ues presented throughout the course! Activities include(
Practicing assertive introductions
Defining assertive and non#assertive behavior
Recogni)ing assertive characteristics
*odeling assertive behavior options
Assertively managing real#world pressures and demands
Profiling your conflict handling style
Applying assertiveness techni'ues
Reacting rapidly to common challenges
Planning successful outcomes
Giving and receiving structured feedback
course content
Assertiveness Essentials
Recognizing modes of interactive behavior
+haracteristics of passive, aggressive, passive#aggressive and assertive behavior
Distinguishing the modes in action
Responding productively to manipulation
Realtime assertiveness skills
+apturing the essentials of an interaction
Determining when a situation calls for assertive action
*anaging the what and how of interactions
Articulating the results you want to achieve
Enhancing your success through effective influence strategies
Guiding effective choices using an assertiveness process model
+reating powerful outcomes that work
!andling Conflict "roductively
"inpointing patterns that drive behavior
Recogni)ing the influences of personal history on behavior
%&ploring how identity, habits and fear impact results
#apping how people handle conflict
%nhancing your ability to respond constructively to conflict
Assessing your preferred style
Building an adaptative approach to conflict
E$pressing %ourself "owerfully and "rofessionally
&ools and techni'ues for building your assertiveness style
,eeping the conversation on track
Giving yourself time to think
+reating clarity in confusing situations
Getting your point across in meetings
-aying no productively
Deflecting criticism and personal attack
.andling bullying and pressure
"utting techni'ues into practice
-electing the appropriate tools for the situation
Planning for productive results
&aking responsibility
/wning your point of view
Giving up blame to enhance your effectiveness
"he power of 0I0 statements
&ranscending Challenging Situations
Articulating what you want
-etting assertiveness goals
Defining preferred outcomes
+reating new assertiveness habits
(iving and receiving feedback
Applying a four#step process to plan for difficult conversations
-taying factual in emotionally charged situations
Providing a powerful rationale for shifts in behavior
*anaging yourself in demanding situations
Applying best practices under pressure
#astering Assertiveness "racticalities
Actualizing your preferred behaviors and responses
Ac'uiring insight and awareness through ournaling
Developing a personal action plan
Reinforcing the rewards of change
Recogni)ing areas where you need support
Applying assertiveness skills to your realworld challenges
+reating and practicing new behaviors
Planning your assertiveness strategy
"aking the ne&t step1
Lesson Steps
(oal:
o 23 "o e&plore the meaning of a human value or emotion!
Overview of Lesson Plan:
Age Level:
Suggested Time Allowance:
)b*ective:
o 23
o 43
o 53
Activities:
o 23 "alk about the concept of human value
o 3 Participants create their own story, poem, or essay
o 63 %ach individual shares their work with the group
o 73 .ave individuals evaluate the meeting in writing for the newsletter
Materials
Evaluation/Assessment:
Extension Activities:
Upload Art or! To "umanit#$uest%com
o Post your artwork to the assertiveness discussion area.

&eferences:
Books on topic
Additional &elated Articles:
Ot'er (nformation on t'e e)
Samples of participants work

Software Tools - tools that can be used to implement that particular activity.

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Curriculum

ASSER&I+E,ESS
8 Complex Thouhts 8 !ctivities " Prorams 8 #$-%au Claire &ome
Assertiveness is*
! personal techni'ue developed
with practice
Tactfully bein your real self
(pen and honest statements
)escribin specific behaviors
*ot backin down
*ot name-callin
Security throuh honesty
Standin up for yourself in a
creative way
Bein able to label your feelins
Showin sensitivity to others
Breakin down your own and others+ defenses
!cknowledin your weaknesses but relyin on
your strenths
)ealin with conflict
! two-way communication process
,ollowin throuh on a decision to deal with a
person or situation
*ot aressive or threatenin
Both verbal and non-verbal
+O+,ASSE&T(-E .E"A-(O&
,ailin to stand up for one+s rihts- either by failin to express feelins or preferences or by allowin
another person to infrine upon one+s rihts.
ASSE&T(-E .E"A-(O&
Standin up for one+s rihts by expressin one+s thouhts and feelins in a direct- honest and
appropriate fashion without denyin the rihts of others.
A//&ESS(-E .E"A-(O& Standin up for one+s rihts in such a way that violates the rihts of
others or demeans the other person.
LE-ELS O0 ASSE&T(O+
Simple Simple- uncomplicated statement of what you want. ./+d rather o out to eat than cook
toniht.0
%mpathic /ncludes a statement about the other+s situation. ./ know you+re busy- but / need to talk
with you.0
Confrontive Points out discrepancies in the other+s behavior. .$e areed to study- but you went to
play basketball.0
Soft %xpresses positive sentiment without embarrassment. ./ really appreciate what you+re
doin.0
!ner Constructive expression of aner aainst a person+s actions. ./ et anry when you
borrow my clothes without askin because then / can+t wear them when / want to. /
would rather you ask before you borrow them. 0 1odel2 ./ 3 4describe feelins-
reactions5 when you3 4describe behavior5- because then3 4describe effect5. / would
rather you3 4ive alternative behavior5.
A .(LL O0 ASSE&T(-E &(/"TS
6. 7ou have the riht to 8ude your own behavior- thouhts and emotions- and to take the
responsibility for their initiation and conse'uences upon yourself.
9. 7ou have the riht to offer no reasons or excuses for 8ustifyin your behavior.
:. 7ou have the riht to 8ude if you are responsible for findin solutions to other people+s
problems.
;. 7ou have the riht to chane your mind.
<. 7ou have the riht to make mistakes = and be responsible for them.
>. 7ou have the riht to say- ./ don+t know.0
?. 7ou have the riht to be independent of the oodwill of others before copin with them.
@. 7ou have the riht to be illoical in makin decisions.
A. 7ou have the riht to say- ./ don+t understand.0
6B. 7ou have the riht to say- ./ don+t care.0
ASSE&T(-E+ESS (S A S1(LL T"AT (S 2E-ELOPE2 (T" P&A3T(3E
)emonstrate assertive body lanuae- includin direct eye contact- erect body posture- and
clear and audible speech. #se estures and facial expressions for emphasis.
#se descriptive- not labelin words to point out the behavior of others. .7ou have been
borrowin my clothes without my permission-0 rather than .7ou clothes stealer.0
%xpress your feelins and experiences caused by the behavior. ./ feel anry when you wear
my clothes without askin me because / can+t wear they when / want to.0
Cive an alternative behavior. ./ would like for you to ask me before you borrow my clothes.0
%ach situation is uni'ue. !sk yourself- .$hat would / like to happenD &ow possible is this
oalD $hat rihts does the other person have in this situationD $hat obstacles are there to the
person makin the behavior chaneD !m / comfortable with my rihts to deal with this
situation assertivelyD0
!dapted from Couar Clues- #niversity of 1innesotaE1orris- and Thundar Bolts- *orth )akota
State #niversity.
&he &raining
/ur training is carried out in a risk free environment which encourages delegates to practice the
skills needed for positive assertion! 9e may use a number of training methods including role#
play, video, audio, workshops and group e&ercises to enhance the learning process!
Assertiveness self#assessment
:earn to recognise assertive behaviour and its positive results in the workplace
Developing assertive body language
Developing confidence and self#esteem
Developing an assertive vocal image
Giving feedback, criticism and praise
;nderstanding and asserting your rights
+hallenging and changing negative and destructive internal dialogue
Accessing e&ternal resources and self#help strategies
-imple assertive techni'ues and e&ercises
Recognising assertive, aggressive and passive behaviours in yourself and others
Reacting to and managing aggressive and passive behaviours in others
Practice assertive behaviour
Individual rights and responsibilities
"aking the first steps to becoming assertive
.ow to say 0no0 with confidence and without feeling guilty
-tanding up for yourself and stating your point of view confidently
;nderstanding the link between stress and assertiveness
.andling conflict and aggressive behaviour
<egotiating assertively with colleagues