Assertiveness Skills:
Communicating with Authority and Impact

What is this course about?

In this course, you gain self-awareness of your attitudes and behavior patterns that promote or hinder assertive behavior. Through video demonstrations, role-playing activities, journaling, skill development and workshops, you increase your ability to get work done using proven tools and techniques. Back at work, you can apply what you have learned to productively and assertively improve outcomes.

You learn how to maintain confidence, communicate effectively and project a positive self-image while avoiding passive and aggressive behavior.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for anyone who wants to communicate assertively. Participants strengthen their ability for creating successful outcomes at work through exploring assertive and non-assertive behaviors and their impacts.

What background do I need?

No special background is required, but a willingness for self-reflection and enhancing your ability to work constructively with others is helpful.

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM -- an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques.

Through media-rich case studies, discussion, role–playing and video-based activities, you are engaged throughout the course in a highly interactive learning environment. Using examples of common assertiveness scenarios and your own assertiveness challenges, you build your awareness, skills and experience to take back to the workplace. At the end of the course, you are armed with an Assertiveness Action Plan to successfully apply new competencies that are targeting your specific needs and situation.

How do assertiveness skills help me get the work done?

In a diverse, global work environment, professionals are faced with the daily challenge of obtaining others' cooperation. New skills to navigate interactions with a broader, more diverse workforce are required. In addition, it is often necessary to be assertive with people at all levels of an organization. Those who communicate with assertiveness, rather than passivity or aggression, are more likely to maintain positive workplace relationships while meeting their goals. This course provides proven techniques for enhancing your ability to get things done.

Will I leave this course with strategies and tools for being assertive?

Yes. Not only do you leave this course knowing what assertiveness is, but you also have a process, templates and a toolkit for mapping out an Assertiveness Action Plan. You gain exposure to models of behavior that are effective in a wide variety of situations.

Is this a course that my whole team would benefit from?

Absolutely. An understanding of the different approaches to assertiveness is essential. If everyone on your team understands the concepts and principles of assertiveness, you will all communicate more directly and with increased efficiency. This course is designed to give you and the members of your team-whatever their location-the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. Through modeling the assertive communication techniques from this course back at work, others may be encouraged to follow your example.

Is assertiveness about verbal communication only?

No. Assertiveness is about verbal and non-verbal communication. There are many non-verbal signals that factor into how we are perceived. Gestures, facial expressions, appearance, and posture are all indicators of what we think of others and ourselves.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much time is devoted to workshops?

More than 70 percent of the course is experiential and active. Workshops include:

• Practicing assertive communication
• Exhibiting confident body language
• Recognizing assertive characteristics
• Modeling assertive behavior options
• Assertively managing real-world pressures and demands
• Profiling your conflict handling style
• Applying assertiveness techniques
• Responding proactively to common challenges
• Planning successful outcomes
• Giving and receiving structured feedback

Interactive, group workshops and individual writing exercises explore skill building. During the writing activities, participants focus on their unique needs and situations.

What is the difference between assertive behavior and aggressive behavior?

Assertive behavior is the ability to express your views, rights and opinions honestly, without infringing upon the rights of others. Assertiveness fosters good relationships and has a positive effect on others, increasing collaboration and productivity.

Aggression, however, shuts down communication. Aggressive behavior may seem useful in fulfilling short-term goals, but it will eventually break down relationships and cause resentment, resistance and sabotage. This course helps you distinguish the differences between assertiveness and aggression.

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 11 professional development units (PDUs).

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers several related courses. Please see our catalogue for complete details. Courses related to Course 244 include:

• 3411, Emotional Intelligence: Achieving Leadership Success 
• 284, Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving  provides the skills to leverage your personal thinking preferences using techniques based on cutting-edge, whole-brain technologies.
• 292, Communication Skills: Results through Collaboration  emphasizes specific tools and techniques for improving listening skills, delivering effective messages and bridging different communication styles.
• 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results without Direct Authority  helps you deal with challenging relationships, influence and persuade your colleagues and provide leadership in your organization.
• 344, Time Management Essentials  are both valuable for anyone who wants to improve their productivity and strengthen their time-management skills.
• 345, Delivering Dynamic Presentations provides the tools needed to plan and deliver polished presentations with confidence.
• 246, Managing Information Overload: Techniques for Working Smarter provides the skills needed to process fast-paced information to develop a competitive edge.
• 3405, Developing Your Leadership Voice provides the skills to create and apply your own communication style in a way that best represents you.