How can I be more assertive?
By Kevin
@excellence7 (3647)
Mauritius
December 15, 2019 1:48pm CST
Hello friends,
Being assertive is one thing I have been working on for some time but it is taking way more time than I ever thought it would.
In my personal life, with friends and relatives, I am able to be assertive: to stand for my rights, to utter clearly what I think and to say the truth even when it hurts.
But when it comes to my professional life, especially with 'dictator' bosses around, I tend to be less assertive. It is not that I am not assertive at all. I am but in many situations, I tend to be soft and I accept the instructions given to me, even when deep down I am not entirely in agreement with those instructions.
I have been watching several videos on how to improve and to be more assertive. I am trying to improve myself.
MyLotters, how can I be more assertive? Please guide me.
1 person likes this
1 response
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
15 Dec 19
If you want something from a person higher up, write down what you want to say. You can mention that you've written down everything so that you won't forget something. In this way you won't be diverted from what the conversation should be about by chit chat. It shouldn't happen that you remember important points afterwards you forgot to mention. You can go over your list with a friend before the decisive conversation.
Don't sit on the chair in a crooked position but upright. Don't fold your legs round the legs of the chair. Don't have a handkerchief in your hand which you roll round and round during the conversation.
Talk in a loud and clear voice. Do some exercises beforehand. Go for a walk and talk in a loud voice with yourself. Tell a tree what you want to tell your boss!
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@excellence7 (3647)
• Mauritius
16 Dec 19
Thank you for the valuable response. I like that part when you said: "tell a tree". I think this is a really worthy tip.
I will take your advice into consideration.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
16 Dec 19
@excellence7 Drop me a line when you've noticed an improvement!
I've just remembered something else: someone once told me that it helps to imagine a person that frightens you in underwear or a nightgown -- just something which pulls the person off the pedestal you have put them on and makes them normal just like everybody else.
1 person likes this
@excellence7 (3647)
• Mauritius
16 Dec 19
@MALUSE You are so right. I will let you know how it goes.
