Being Assertive In Business Is Critical For Success
Updated: Feb 16, 2024
Written by: Simon Haigh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Engaging employees to ensure the attributes to build a cohesive & inclusive growth culture are nurtured and embedded in behaviors in a real and tangible way requires real focus and intentional action to maximize success. So, let’s go ahead and explore some practical strategies to help you embed a growth mindset and foster a cohesive and inclusive growth culture.
An important trait of effective communication is assertiveness.
What is Assertiveness?
Well, it’s being direct about what you need, want, feel or believe, and in a way that’s respectful of the views of others. It’s a communication skill that can reduce conflict, build self-confidence and improve relationships.
According to Martyn Newman in Emotional Capitalists, assertiveness, as a communications strategy, is most effective when driven by principles of effective marketing and negotiation, including documenting or ensuring your position, is made unequivocally and acknowledging your customers' needs. I would suggest the same applies to team dynamics. Assertiveness requires practice, particularly if this is something you struggle with. You need to make the decision to positively assert yourself, commit to being assertive rather than passive or aggressive, and start practicing today.
As good team dynamics require direct, respectful communication to garner optimal results, it’s important that assertiveness is fostered on a team-wide basis. When we’re not assertive, we can suffer from a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, which can then have a self-perpetuating effect of a cycle of limiting beliefs, which can be a drag on team dynamics and innovation.
Good assertiveness requires practice, and so here are some tips on how the newly onboarded employee can develop assertiveness:
Agree to disagree. Remember that having a different point of view doesn’t mean you’re right and the other person is wrong.
Avoid guilt trips. Be honest and tell others how you feel or what you want without making accusations or making them feel guilty.
Stay calm. Breathe normally, maintain eye contact, keep your face relaxed, and speak in a relaxed tone.
Take a problem-solving approach to conflict. Try to see the other person as your friend, not your enemy.
Practice assertiveness. Talk in an assertive way in front of a mirror or with a friend. Pay attention to your body language as well as to the words you say. Avoid aggressive language such as ‘you always’ or ‘you never’.
Be patient. Being assertive is a skill that needs practice. Remember that you will sometimes do better at it than at other times, but you can always learn from your mistakes.
In summary, assertiveness is a very important aspect of ensuring cohesive, inclusive, and aligned teams- direct but respectful communication is critically important for a trust-based team environment.
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Simon Haigh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Simon Haigh, known as The Growth Strategist, helps organizations and leaders unlock, build and sustain business, leadership, brand, and mindset growth through his coaching, consulting, training, publications, speaking, and e-learning programs. Simon’s clients include high-performing leaders, companies, business schools, professional organizations & Government bodies globally. His work is endorsed by world no. 1 leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith. He is nominated by PeopleHum Top 200 Influential Thought Leaders 2021, Thinkers 360 4 Sales, 9 Entrepreneurship, 10 Legal & IP, 13 Health & Wellness, 33 Mental Health, 37 Management & 47 Emerging Tech, and featured in the PeopleHum Top 100 Thought Leader series for Mindful Negotiation. He has also been featured on numerous global TV and radio outlets, and two of his three Amazon 5 Star books – How to be a Better Dealcloser and Dealmaking for Corporate Growth, are endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, and he is an associate member of the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Organisation. Simon is also an acclaimed Keynote Speaker.
