Communicating assertively

Why is communicating assertively important?

• It's not important and a waste of time to learn how to do

• Communicating assertively allows you to set healthy boundaries and earn respect from others

• Communicating assertively allows you to put others' needs ahead of your own all the time, but sometimes people will taken advantage of.

• Communicating assertively allows you to get your needs met every time, even if that means that the needs of others are not heard or valued.

What type of communicator would you consider yourself to be?

• Passive (someone who almost always puts the needs of others ahead of their own needs)

• Aggressive (someone who almost always puts their own needs ahead of the needs of others)

• Assertive (someone who balances their own needs and the needs of others)

• Other

True or false: an I-statement is an assertive way to express your feelings fairly, firmly, and confidently without making the other person feel attacked or blamed

• True

• False

Write your own "I-statement" about any situation you want.

Remember to include what you feel, when you feel it, and what you want/need in your I-statement

True or false: there is scientific evidence supporting that listeners gain more meaning from a person's nonverbal communication (body language and tone of voice) than from verbal communication (the words a person says)

• True

• False

True or false: it is best to communicate your wants or needs to others right away, even if you are feeling emotional

• True

• False

True or false: a majority of the time the tone and intent of online message are misinterpreted as sarcasm, sincerity, and emotions are hard to detect without verbal and nonverbal cues.

• True

• False

Which of the choices below demonstrates assertive communication?

• "It's okay when you cancel last minutes... I guess. {sigh}"

• Saying nothing and walking away

• "I'm sick and tired of you ditching me! You're so selfish! Do it again, and this friendship is over!"

• "I feel disappointed when you cancel plans at the last minutes. What I want is for you to let me know sooner if you need to change our plans."

What are the three steps to to communicating assertively? (select 3)

• Using verbal I-statements to clearly express your feelings and a proposed solution.

• Use nonverbal communication such as direct eye contact, confident posture, active listening, neutral facial expressions, and calm gestures.

• Use intimidation and fear to get the other person to do what you want them to do.

• Wait to talk to the person if you feel you will be too passive or too angry during the conversation.

What is one thing you learned about assertive communication from the presentation?