Applying Assertiveness

Assertive - being able to make clear statements of what you want from others in a given situation, without being abrasive or demeaning.

An effective manager needs to behave in an active and assertive manner to get things done. Assertive managers are able to express their feelings and act with appropriate degrees of openness and candor, but still have a regard for the feelings or rights of others.

Assertiveness and the ability to express your feelings to others are skills that people possess to different extents. Some are aggressive, direct, and blunt, and can appear domineering, pushy, or self-centered. Most people tend to be passive, inhibited, and submissive; they bottle up their feelings and fail even to stand up for their legitimate rights. Passive individuals seek to avoid conflicts and tend to sublimate their own needs and feelings in order to satisfy others.

Most people fall between the extremes of passive and aggressive. At these extremes, passive and aggressive behaviors hinder effective managerial relations because neither encourages openness. Effective managers need to be assertive, express their ideas and feelings openly, and stand up for their rights, and all in a way that makes it easier for those they are managing to do the same. The assertive manager is always sensitive to the needs of others; he or she does not seek to rule less assertive people. Trying to achieve dominance may produce short-term results but will not make the best use of the abilities of members of your team.

ACTION POINT: Express your ideas clearly and confidently and encourage your team to do the same.