There are four primary styles of communication that is widely known: assertive, passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive. It's important to note that each of these styles can be effective in certain situations, but it's generally most effective to communicate assertively, as this allows you to be true to yourself and advocate for your own needs and values, while also building trust and respect in your relationships. Before you learn tips on how to be assertive, it's important to briefly understand the four communication styles and what makes them different.

1. Assertive communication This style involves standing up for your own needs and expressing your thoughts and feelings directly and honestly, while also respecting the rights and feelings of others. Assertive communication is an important skill to have in a variety of contexts, as it allows individuals to be true to themselves and advocate for their own needs and values, while also building trust and respect in their relationships. It can also help individuals set and maintain healthy boundaries, and can improve their ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.

2. Passive communication

Passive communication is a style of communication in which an individual fails to express their own thoughts and feelings, and allows others to make decisions for them or control the situation. It can be problematic because it can lead to individuals feeling unfulfilled and resentful, and it can also create misunderstandings and conflict in relationships. Passive communicators may also be more vulnerable to being taken advantage of or mistreated by others.

3. Aggressive communication

This style involves expressing your own needs and feelings in a way that disregards the rights and feelings of others, and may involve using threats or intimidation. It's important to note that aggressive communication is generally not an effective or healthy style of communication because it involves expressing one's own needs and feelings in a way that disregards the rights and feelings of others, and may involve using threats or intimidation

4. Passive-aggressive communication

This style involves expressing negative thoughts and feelings indirectly, through subtle resistance, rather than addressing the issue directly. Passive-aggressive communication can be problematic because it can create misunderstandings and conflict, and it can also damage relationships. Passive-aggressive behavior can be confusing and frustrating for others, and it can make it difficult to resolve conflicts or address underlying issues.

5 Tips for Communicating with Assertiveness

1. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Knowing your rights and responsibilities can help you be assertive because it gives you a clear understanding of what is expected of you and what you are entitled to. This can give you confidence and a sense of clarity when it comes to advocating for yourself and your needs. For example, if you have a clear understanding of your job duties and any relevant policies or procedures, you will be better equipped to advocate for yourself if you feel that you are being unfairly treated or if you have concerns about your work environment. Similarly, if you know your rights as an employee, you will be better able to assert yourself if you feel that your rights are being violated or if you need to advocate for fair treatment.
   

2. Communicate Clearly and Directly: Be direct and clear in your communication, and avoid being passive or aggressive. Use "I" statements to express your own feelings and perspective, rather than blaming or judging others. Communicating clearly and directly can help you be assertive because it allows you to express your thoughts and feelings in a straightforward and honest way. This can help you clearly articulate your own needs and perspectives, and it can also help you avoid misunderstandings or confusion. For example, if you have a concern about a project at work, you might say something like, "I'm feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work I have on my plate. I'd like to discuss ways to prioritize my tasks and delegate some of the workload to ensure that everything gets done on time." This is a clear and direct way of expressing your thoughts and feelings, and it allows you to advocate for your own needs while also considering and respecting the needs of your team.
   

3. Use Nonverbal Cues Nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, can be powerful tools for communicating assertively. These cues can help convey your confidence, sincerity, and conviction, and they can also help reinforce the message you are trying to communicate. For example, if you are communicating assertively, you might use nonverbal cues such as maintaining eye contact, standing up straight, and using a confident tone of voice. This can help convey that you are serious and confident in what you are saying, and it can also help establish your credibility and authority. On the other hand, if you are using passive body language or a timid tone of voice, it may be more difficult for you to effectively communicate your needs and assert yourself.
   

4. Practice Active Listening Practicing active listening can help you be assertive because it allows you to fully understand the perspective of others, and it can also help you better articulate your own perspective. Active listening involves paying full attention to what the other person is saying, and making an effort to understand their perspective and emotions. It involves asking clarifying questions and using verbal and nonverbal cues to show that you are listening, such as nodding your head or maintaining eye contact. For example, if you are in a meeting and someone makes a suggestion that you disagree with, rather than immediately shutting down their idea, you might try actively listening to their perspective. You might say something like, "I understand your idea, but I'm feeling concerned about X, Y, and Z. Could you help me understand more about your perspective on this?" This allows you to express your own feelings and concerns while also showing that you are willing to consider the perspective of others.
   

5. Seek Support Seeking support can help you be assertive because it can provide you with guidance, resources, and encouragement when you are facing challenges or situations that require you to assert yourself. For example, if you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to advocate for yourself in a certain situation, seeking support from a mentor, colleague, or HR representative can provide you with valuable perspective and guidance. They may be able to offer suggestions for how to effectively communicate your needs or help you navigate a challenging situation.

Overall, being assertive takes time and practice. Assertiveness is a skill that requires self-reflection, self-awareness, and practice in order to be effective. It involves standing up for your own needs and expressing your thoughts and feelings directly and honestly, while also respecting the rights and feelings of others. To improve your assertiveness skills, you can practice self-awareness, communicate clearly and directly, seek feedback, practice active listening, and seek support when needed. Remember, being assertive is a skill that takes time and practice to develop, but with patience and persistence, you can learn to effectively advocate for yourself and your needs.

Check out this testimonial video of First Global Logistics employees who completed our Assertiveness and Confidence training programme. They share their thoughts on how being assertive has helped them in the workplace.