Taking A Step – Assertive Skills and Your Career

Taking A Step – Assertive Skills and Your Career

How we assert ourselves with others often makes the difference in how far we progress in our careers. Do we stand up for our thoughts, back down, attack, compromise or ignore issues when they are difficult to confront? Assertive people get ahead in their careers because they face difficult issues, solve problems before they fester, create trust so that others are willing to take risks, are innovative and contribute their best.

Assertive behaviour can be learned but sometimes our personality preferences can become obstacles to expressing ourselves. Personality theory indicates we all have specific penchants for ways we would like to behave in the world. Others, however, often have opposite expectations for our behaviours, which can create tension.

There are two basic processes you can use to deal with others’ expectations of your behaviour when they counter your own preferences:

• Self understanding: have an understanding of your personality preferences and your typical approach to dealing with difficult situations.
• Willingness: during difficult situations with others, combine yourself understanding with a willingness to stay in a problem-solving mode.

These two basic processes can help us be more effective when the world and others in it don’t conform to our expectations. According to Dr. Carl Jung, father of “type” psychology, the tension between opposing preferences is the very essence of life itself. Without tension, there would be no energy and consequently no personality. When it comes to any confrontational situation that requires that we maintain assertive behaviour, it helps to understand that the situation is creating a “learning” opportunity for us — a chance to grow.

What are your thoughts on assertiveness and your workplace patterns?  Do you alter, avoid, or accommodate difficult situations?

Stay awake, aware, and alert and strive to lead a well-tempered life – a life that possesses both hardiness and flexibility.  The good news is that once you are awake, it’s hard to go to sleep again, but if you do, do it on purpose and prepare yourself for the consequences.

 

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