“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, and to humiliate and to humble”, Yehuda Berg says so. Communication is one of the best mediums to exchange and impart the information to others. Though the categories of communication are far-flung, the finest way to confer the information efficaciously is Assertive communication. This article, expounds the significance of assertive communication.
What is assertive communication?
Assertive communication is the constructive way of articulating, both positive and negative ideas such that it doesn’t condemn or criticize anybody. It helps in finding out satiating solutions to the disagreements, by giving equal importance to the deliberations of others as well. The power of assertive communication is that it doesn’t put oneself down to prove that others are right, rather it preserves the priorities and allows to express it in honest way.
The advantages of being assertive
- Assertive communication allows us to clearly explain the situations and feelings that the person from hearing end will never feel being getting offended.
- It develops the attitude of listening to people, during a discussion. This helps in ending up a meeting or an argument cordially.
- Assertive communication, reduces anxiety and urge of proving one self, free of guilt.
- It highly reduces the chances of misinterpretation and misconception,
- Assertive communication also encourages to respect others opinion. This avoids, ending a conversation with unwanted argument.
- Being assertive, helps to streamline a discussion, keeping it intact with what’s necessary and what is to be avoided.
- It reduces the chances of hurting others as well as upholding our self-esteem.
Why assertive and not aggressive?
Being aggressive while communicating signifies a person’s inability to look at the solution of any problem, rather making them to over-think on why it had happened
- Aggressive communication doesn’t give a chance to everyone to voice their opinion whereas Assertive communication gives importance to each and every one who is involved in the discussion.
- Being aggressive makes a person so autocratic whereas being assertive brings subtle conversation by making a person ingenious.
- Aggressive communication emphasis on accusation of a person for the mistake that has been done without a detailed discussion whereas assertive communication insists on finding out the solution rather than magnifying the problem.
- While communicating aggressively, it doesn’t give enough time for the person at the hearing end to think about the situation, rather it creates an image of being offensive whereas communicating assertively gives enough space and abundant time to think on how to arrive at the solution.
Being assertive, is it a remedy?
Assertive communication might not go well with all the situations. We can never guarantee that the end result would be a successful one. Sometimes, the assertion would turn out to be imperative to others Doreen Virtue says“Once you have a major success with assertiveness, you learn that it’s a much healthier path than being a doormat to the insensitive folks. You gain respect for yourself, have more time for your priorities, and develop authentic and healthier relationships.” At the end of the day, all we would receive is a lesson and self-respect and a satisfaction of not hurting anyone.
You may want to read other articles written by the same author – ‘Tips for writing an exceptional resume‘ , ‘ Alternate Career Option as a Fitness Trainer‘ , ‘ 5 Golden rules for setting the goals ‘ , ‘ Who decides the expiry date for a woman’s dream? ‘ .
About the author:
Mrinalini: A computer science graduate, with an overall experience of about 6 years in IT Industry. Though I had been a techie full time, I always had a love for writing and thirst for becoming a writer. Mother of 3 year old Kid, it took me years to realise, what I needed to make myself end my day completely satisfied. Am a blogger, traveler, adventure lover and an ardent book reader. I read a lot, believe books are the best companions in the world. I love to enjoy each day of my life, as it often comes bagged with full of surprises.
(The author is a guest blogger at Her Second Innings. The opinions expressed are those of the author.)
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