Workplace Practical Strategies

Author: None
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Publish Date: 2006-11-01
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1.3.1 The Difference Between Assertiveness and Arrogance
The University of Illinois Counseling Center at Urbana compiled a manual aimed at helping students develop an assertive style. In this manual, the center defines "assertiveness" as the ability to express oneself and advocate for one's rights without infringing on others' rights. According to the manual, "assertiveness" means "communicating with others in a direct, open, and sincere manner. It is about self-improvement and self-expression." In contrast, "arrogance" refers to trying to control or dominate others in communication. The manual states, "Arrogance often has negative effects, easily provoking others' anger, deep-seated resentment, and even losing the respect of colleagues and subordinates."
Passive resistance is detrimental to taking control of one's destiny. People who are passive at work often appear indifferent and lack ambition. They lack confidence and feel that their ideas, opinions, and feelings are insignificant and unimportant.
1.3.2 Understanding Your Rights
Since companies now emphasize teamwork, you must learn how to create your own work schedule and strive to achieve your work goals. You cannot be extreme—neither overly proactive to the point of being aggressive nor too passive. You should be assertive. This will greatly benefit you. It is important to know that assertiveness is built on certain principles, including:
- The right to have values, beliefs, speech, and emotions.
- The right to express the expectation of being treated with respect.
- The right to self-expression.
- The right to be informed or to seek help.
- The right to change one's opinion or make mistakes.
- The right to self-affirmation even if one is not perfect.
In the workplace, to transform these rights into acceptable behaviors, it is necessary to understand and practice them. In cultivating assertive behavior, it is essential to master some key techniques.
1.3.3 Directly Communicate Information
Communicate your message directly to the appropriate person. If you can convey the message personally, do not use intermediaries or agencies. People who are aggressive often enjoy playing the role of intermediaries because they like to see others suffer and derive pleasure from self-serving actions that enhance their "authority." People who are passive tend to rely on intermediaries to achieve their goals because it reduces their sensitivity to the message they want to convey and avoids the need to defend their views. Intermediaries also believe that passive people, due to their excessive disregard for their own worth, are unwilling to obtain feedback directly. Ms. Schonberger advises never to use intermediaries or agencies to convey messages, as this is unreliable. "I strive to communicate directly with my colleagues," she says, "Generally, using intermediaries or agencies means either you have something you don’t want to disclose publicly, or you’re not willing to get feedback directly. Either way, it can lead to problems."
1.3.4 Collect and Utilize Feedback
Ask others to review whether the message you want to convey is clear. If your message is ambiguous, you must