Assertive Communication Skills Training
Course 244
3 DAY COURSE

This Assertive Communication Skills training course will use video demonstrations, role-playing activities, journaling, and practical workshops to help you become self-aware of behavior patterns and increase your ability to get work done. Those who communicate with an assertive tone rather than passivity or aggression are more likely to maintain positive workplace relationships while meeting their goals. Learn these assertiveness skills to convey your message with authority and impact.

Assertive Communication Skills Training Benefits

• Demonstrate and model assertive behavior for win-win outcomes
• Gain self-awareness of your attitudes, behavior patterns, and habits
• Develop a positive, proactive response to difficult behaviors
• Exhibit confidence in your ability to address challenging situations

Assertive Communication Skills Course Outline

Assertiveness Essentials

Recognizing modes of interactive behavior

• Considering critical attributes of assertive behavior
• Identifying characteristics of nonassertive behavior
• Acknowledging areas of personal vulnerability and opportunity
• Responding appropriately to manipulation or bullying

Contextual and situational considerations

• Asserting 360 degrees: peers, direct-reports, bosses and vendors
• Assessing the impact of organizational culture
• Accommodating intercultural norms
• Navigating power relationships within the organization

Expressing Personal Power

Pinpointing patterns of behavior

• Raising self-awareness
• The role of personal history
• Exploring how identity, fear and habits impact results
• Creating new personal effectiveness

Mapping how people handle conflict

• Enhancing your ability to respond to conflict
• Recognizing your conflict style
• Responding differently to different situations
• Considering the role of Emotional and Social Intelligence

Overcoming Challenging Situations

Applying viable assertiveness techniques

• Deciding which situations call for assertiveness
• Witnessing the dynamics of constructive and destructive interactions

Adopting effective assertiveness strategies

• Developing options to respond productively
• Identifying your assertiveness style and adapting your approach
• Giving up blame and focusing on solutions
• Seeing the win-win potential of cooperation
• Finding the root cause through effective questioning

Building Your Assertiveness Skill Set

Committing to assertive and skillful outcomes

• Developing powerful nonverbal communication
• Accepting responsibility for resolution
• Initiating improved communication
• Communicating clearly in complex situations
• Deflecting criticism and personal attacks

Developing the tools

• The power of "I" statements
• Saying "no" productively
• Addressing difficult issues using the DESC approach
• Pushing through resistance

Mastering Assertiveness

Establishing a proactive assertiveness style

• Taking time to think clearly
• Modeling productive approaches
• Responding to everyday situations
• Giving and receiving feedback

Practicing effective assertiveness principles

• Leveraging a four-step process model
• Accurately assessing your situation
• Targeting desired outcomes
• Measuring results

Launching Your Assertiveness Plan

Constructing an assertiveness action plan

• Adopting an attitude of responsibility and mutual respect
• Committing to timelines and outcomes
• Prioritizing changes in assertive behavior

Putting the "action" into the assertiveness action plan

• Constructing a blueprint for your action plan
• Reinforcing your newly developed assertiveness skills
• Scheduling time to assess progress
• Practicing assertive behaviors
• Modifying your action plan to accommodate change