What is assertiveness?
Assertiveness is one of the tools for dealing effectively with others. It simply means standing up for yourself, speaking directly, and expressing effectively your ideas, wishes and concerns, without “beating around the bush,” making excuses, or apologizing. There are two types of assertiveness-demanding situations. The first is when someone asks you to do something that you just don’t feel like doing. There are, unfortunately, people who take advantage of others by trying to elicit constant or excessive favors. The second type of assertiveness-demanding situation (and this is a point which is not always made), is one in which people behave rudely toward you, try to put you down, insult you, or treat you in a patronizing manner. For maintaining your self-respect, as well as for attaining success, learning effective responses for these occasions is critical as well.
