Assertiveness Training is a structured, interactive approach to training clients to display confident and positive feelings in constructive ways. It teaches clients how to display assertive behaviour without becoming aggressive. It is also suitable for those who just want to enhance their ability to share positive emotions with others. This training can also be used by management team members when the need arises.
The four styles of assertiveness training are: The First is called the First Style. This teaches clients to recognise and understand their own body language in difficult situations. This will help them to control their reactions before they become aggressive. The person becomes aware of their own body language and utilises appropriate body language techniques to defuse a tense situation. When body language is ignored in difficult situations, assertiveness training will usually involve redirecting the client's attention to someone else or simply turning their back to the person. Body language and verbal cues are the tools that make up effective communication, not physical aggression.
The Second style of assertiveness training teaches clients to use non-verbal communication such as eye contact and body language. People learn to recognise and utilise confident body language in order to establish an atmosphere of openness, mutual respect and cooperation. When these skills are learned, people are able to use them in all kinds of situations, including business and social situations. Those with poor communication skills often feel very inhibited and uncomfortable in groups or while on a first meeting with a prospective client. As they gain confidence through practice, they are able to open up and meet people more confidently.
The Third style of assertiveness training teaches clients to utilise confident and open body language when communicating with others. These skills include walking tall, smiling and speaking up, without holding back. They learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings from the heart. This style is about expressing yourself without feeling intimidated or unwanted. It doesn't mean you have to have an over-developed sense of self-worth. If you feel good about yourself and feel that you are competent to impart your message, then your message will be accepted and you will be more likely to create positive feelings within the recipient.
The fourth style of assertiveness skills teaches clients to turn their feelings into active actions. The goal is to change a negative feeling into a desired one. For example, if a person feels uncomfortable about speaking to someone in particular, then they can practise sitting up straight, folding their arms across their chest and looking straight ahead. By doing this, they can train themselves to become far more comfortable in situations where they might feel shy or uncomfortable. Eventually, they will be able to speak to anybody with confidence and comfort and use strong assertive words and phrases without any fear of rejection.
The final style of assertiveness teaches clients that they need mutual respect. In this communication style, people learn to set standards so that both parties can feel valued. People who take an assertive approach can be very assertive but without having to resort to violence, the message will not be lost and they will gain mutual respect.
To develop these skills, it's important for clients to understand what they are trying to achieve and then they must practice the techniques consistently to ensure success. It can take time to build self-confidence and assertiveness skills, and many will need to make some significant life changes before they can fully benefit from their efforts. For example, speaking to a large audience requires a great deal of confidence. When you lack self-confidence, it is very difficult situations that you will confront in everyday life. However, with consistent practice, you will improve your ability to face difficult situations and will develop your own unique brand of assertiveness.
Learning how to use assertiveness correctly requires that you have self-confidence, communication skills, and a good sense of self. You must know when to use assertiveness and when to back off. If you learn these tools by finding a good assertiveness course, you will be on your way to becoming an assertive master. This new confident attitude will have a long lasting effect on your relationships, career and general life.
