Interpersonal Communication: Communicating Assertively

Overview/Description
Effective communication in the workplace can be a balancing act. If you're too passive, you may have trouble getting others to do what you want. If you're too aggressive, you may turn people off. Getting what you want in the workplace requires a balance of assertiveness without aggressiveness. This course will guide you as you move into a more straightforward and more effective communication style. You'll learn about the benefits of assertive behavior and how to distinguish it from passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive behavior. You'll also learn about the requirements for assertive communication, such as being honest and straightforward, being respectful of others' needs and feelings, and using assertive body language and tone. Finally, you'll learn about how to increase the power of your assertive communication when your first attempts don't get the results you intended. Materials designed to support blended learning activities aligned with this course are available from the Resources Page.

Target Audience
Individuals who want to develop or refresh their interpersonal communication skills

Expected Duration (hours)
1.0

Lesson Objectives

Interpersonal Communication: Communicating Assertively

classify the behavior styles exhibited in a given scenario

recognize statements and practices that demonstrate assertiveness, in a given scenario

communicate assertively in a given scenario