Assertiveness And How it Helps

Written By Colēgia

Communication skills are one of the cornerstones of being able to interact with others. One skill that is very helpful is assertiveness. Today we want to discuss what this is, how it can help, and some ways we can implement this into our lives.

Assertiveness And Expression

Assertiveness can be seen in many areas. It is often characterized by a combination of being confident and strong-willed in regards to communication. A good example of this is standing up for yourself. This is an essential life skill that will be used in many different situations. Dealing with a peer who is bullying you is one such way we can see this. One thing to keep in mind is to consider your own safety before using this approach as that is your number one priority. Assertiveness is helpful as it is a form of expression that can help you convey what you want in a direct manner. Another common example of this is telling someone how something makes you feel. If you feel a friend has been rude to you and aren't sure why being direct can help bring these issues to light so you can work things out.

“Assertiveness can be seen in many areas. It is often characterized by a combination of being confident and strong-willed in regards to communication.”

Being Mindful of Your Communication

While an assertive approach is helpful, it is good to be extra mindful of this as it can often be mistaken for aggression. An aggressive approach isn't necessarily the best as it can put tension between both sides and cause strife. Understanding how we communicate with this assertive approach is good as we can still say how we feel while being mindful. One way to do this is to use “I feel” statements. These are good as they let us still express our feelings while being direct at the same time. Instead of using you language, using I feel statements instead as a substitute can shift from an accusatory approach to being more honest. Entering into a conversation with a healthy mentality is good as it allows us to focus on the message and how we express it.

“While an assertive approach is helpful, it is good to be extra mindful of this as it can often be mistaken for aggression.”

Why It's Important

Assertiveness is the gateway to being able to accurately express yourself better and to work toward the things you want. There will be many instances where learning how to properly communicate with others will be able to lead toward much better outcomes. One such example is being able to improve friendships by being honest with one another. This is good as it can build trust and let others know how both sides feel. This also applies to others as well. Being able to be direct with someone can help clear the air and make it known what your intentions are with a conversation. Assertiveness is good as it is a form of self-control that can help us manage our thoughts and emotions in a more constructive manner. It can help us learn to appreciate all the subtle nuances that come with communication and can ultimately make us a more well-rounded individual.

Colēgia

Colēgia

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