Assertiveness is a key communication skill that sits at the heart of everything we do in our daily practice. Being assertive enables us to clearly state our opinions, ensure our voices are heard, and make sure that our professional perspectives feed into discussions about the individuals we support.
Being professionally confident and assertive with those we work alongside supports the overall culture of our settings and can have a positive impact on the entire organisation.
Why it can be difficult to be professionally assertive
However, it is not always easy to be professionally assertive. We often work in stressful environments, with a range of colleagues whose experiences and perspectives may be very different to our own.
Heavy workloads, multiple responsibilities, heightened emotions and challenging situations can test even the most positive, supportive working relationships, and make it tricky to be assertive with our colleagues.
When we are new to our roles or to an organisation, or if we’re working with someone in a senior position to us, we might also struggle to be assertive. This may be because we feel less qualified or less sure about our own skills, knowledge and understanding, resulting in a level of self-doubt that hampers our ability to be assertive.
Assertive or aggressive?
These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do, in fact, have different distinguishing characteristics. Assertiveness is a positive way of communicating that is direct, clear and constructive. It focuses on the consideration of one another’s needs and values. When we communicate assertively, we maintain boundaries, show respect and take others’ needs into account.
Aggression, on the other hand, is rooted in negativity and the need to control other people. When we use an aggressive approach, we put our needs first and disregard the needs of others. This can involve making demands without explaining or listening; shouting or interrupting; berating someone; or even just adopting a certain tone of voice or body language. Ultimately, an aggressive tone jeopardises professional relationships and rarely leads to a positive outcome.
Read our article, Aggressive vs Assertive: How to Find the Right Tone.
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