Course description
Assertiveness
When people are assertive they portray a strong, confident image and can put their views across while still taking other people’s opinions into account.
Non-assertive, passive aggressive or aggressive behaviour can cause misunderstandings, frustration and even a breakdown in relationships at work.
In this highly practical session participants discover how effective body language, voice, and the words they say make a big difference to the results they get. Importantly, they learn how to build confidence that leads to assertive behaviour more of the time. And how to disagree without being disagreeable!
Delivery: Available as a full-day, half-day, bite-sized programme or webinar. Virtual and in-house delivery options.
Upcoming start dates
Outcome / Qualification etc.
- Recognise the differences between assertive, aggressive and passive behaviour
- Understand the impact your behaviour has on people
- Make assertive requests – and follow up effectively
- Say ‘no’, where appropriate
- Be more assertive in meetings
- Give negative feedback – without giving offence
Training Course Content
Why be assertive?
Assertiveness defined
- What is assertiveness?
- Why does it matter?
- The assertiveness spectrum
- Passive
- Assertive
- Aggressive
- Skills practice: demonstrating the spectrum
Channels of assertiveness
- The three channels of assertiveness
- What we show
- What we say
- How we sound
- The ‘I’m OK / you’re OK’ model
- Avoiding non-assertive behaviour as a default position
- Skills practice: confidently stating your opinion
Assertive language
- The importance of direct communication
- The problems with indirect communication
- Skills practice: standing your ground
- ‘Wimp talk’v‘power talk’
- ‘Wimp talk’ quiz
- Voice
- Body language
- Skills practice: making assertive requests
Refusing requests and saying ‘no’
- The hardest word
- When to use it…
- … and how
Assertive follow-up
- Empathic assertion
- The broken record technique
- Keeping body language consistent with verbal
- Skills practice: making assertive requests
- Self-disclosure and empathy
- Escalating requests
How to disagree without being disagreeable
- The 3As model
- Acknowledge
- Agree
- And (not ‘but’)
- Skills practice: disagreeing in an assertive way
How to be assertive in different situations
- How to raise an issue
- How to be proactive and assertive with your manager
- Barriers
- Skills practice: suggesting a change
- How to give negative feedback
- Have the right mindset
- Have a framework
- Skills practice: giving feedback to a colleague
- How to be assertive in a meeting
- Why do it
- How to do it
- Skills practice: group exercise
Actions and next steps
- Review
- Personal action planning
- Next steps
Course delivery details
Available as a full-day, half-day, bite-sized programme or webinar.
Virtual and in-house delivery options.
Reviews
Average rating 4.7
The way Scott interacted with us all was great. Made sure everyone was involved in the meeting. Enthusiastic from start to finish.
You learn about your own behaviour and how you can adjust little things to become more assertive and get better outcomes in certain situations.
Request info
Get Inspired! Watch the Video
Maximum Performance
At Maximum Performance, we are passionate about improving the performance of individuals, teams and organisations. Our extensive portfolio of courses are offered via a range of flexible delivery options - including open courses, in-house training, webinars and virtual classrooms. We...
An informative and thought-provoking session that made me think about the way I conduct myself.