Being assertive in the workplace will not only boost your self-esteem, but will also have a positive impact on your professional career. Every organisation, no matter the industry, will have bossy co-workers, lazy team members, and overbearing managers. If you stand up to these individuals in a professional and respectful manner, that’s being assertive. There are many benefits to being assertive in the workplace, such as:
It will help you to earn respect
When you are assertive, it will be difficult for others to take advantage of you or to intimidate you. You will start to earn respect in your workplace for your no-nonsense attitude, sincerity and respectfulness.
It gives you the ability to control your emotions
Once you learn how to be assertive, you will learn how to control your emotions more effectively and efficiently. This is very important in the workplace, as you need to keep your emotions at bay when dealing with difficult work-related situations.
It helps you to set boundaries
It is very difficult to push around an assertive person in the workplace, and you will very rarely find this happening. This is because having an assertive nature enables you to set boundaries with your colleagues. The moment that boundaries are set within the workplace, everyone has a clear understanding of the dynamic of the professional relationships and it helps you to avoid and limit unwelcome interactions and behaviour.
It builds your judgement
Undoubtedly, there will be a number of adverse situations within the workplace, and being assertive will help you to judge whether you need to speak up, or hold your tongue. This will help you to steer clear of any unnecessary stress and trouble within the workplace.
It teaches you how to put your foot down and say no
When you are assertive, you will be able to put your foot down and say no to situations that you know will have a negative impact on your performance.
As can be seen from the above, there are many benefits to being assertive within the workplace and the importance of being assertive in your professional life cannot be denied. It’s important to remember that you need to work on your assertiveness on a continuous basis, as there will always be situations in the workplace that will test your assertiveness. Continue to sharpen your assertiveness skills and you will be able to reach your professional goals.
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)
