How to Assert Yourself Healthily at Work

Confidence & Self-AwarenessCommunication & FeedbackAll employees≈ 25 min

Key skill: Assertiveness

Summary

Communicate without fleeing, attacking, or manipulating: this module teaches you to recognise these three reflexes in conflict and replace them with assertiveness — self-assertion that respects both your own needs and the other person.

Target audience

Anyone wanting to promote a positive model of communication and collaboration

Learning objectives

Assert yourself in a healthy way, without avoidance, aggression, or manipulation
Be clear-eyed about your doormat, prankster, or hedgehog tendencies
Communicate assertively while respecting yourself and others
Identify your avoidance behaviours and how to overcome them

Module outline

ArticlesAn assertiveness self-assessment · Playing with anger: understanding the difference between controlled anger and anger you're suffering through
Expert videoAn overview of Gordon's 4 attitudes towards conflict (avoidance, aggression, manipulation, assertiveness) and tips for healthy self-assertion
AnchoringA quiz and true/false exercise to explore the topic further and cement what you've learned
Memo cardDownloadable memo card: the key takeaways from the expert video
CommitmentConcrete examples to help you define your own commitment
BonusA selection of videos to go further (TED, YouTube)

Models & methods

Assertiveness; the 4 attitudes towards conflict (avoidance, aggression, manipulation, assertiveness); speaking in "I" statements.

Research-based

The four attitudes towards conflict are attributed in the module to Gordon.