How to Be More Assertive
12 Sept 2024 · 1 min
0:57
Three ways to sound more assertive: say your next action aloud to signal intent, tell people directly what you won't accept instead of pleading, and use "when I'm ready" to control your own timing.
Three ways to sound more assertive: say your next action aloud to signal intent, tell people directly what you won't accept instead of pleading, and use "when I'm ready" to control your own timing.
How to be more assertive. Number 1, say what you're doing out loud. That is, tell them your next step and then do it. You can use the phrase, I'm going to. For example, I'm going to hang up the phone now. I'm going to walk away from this conversation. I'm going to ignore how you just spoke to me. When you state your intentions out loud, it empowers you with a sense of control, and that makes you more assertive. Number 2, if somebody's doing something that you don't like, instead of saying, please don't do that, which is sometimes a weaker position, Assert yourself with phrases of authority. Those sound like, "I do not accept the way you're treating me right now." "I do not allow people to talk to me that way." It's authority not over the other person, but of yourself, showing that you have control over how others interact with you. And number 3, get comfortable with the phrase, "When I'm ready." For example, "I will respond to you when I'm ready." "I will address this subject when I'm ready." It's a reminder that your needs drive the schedule, not the other way around. And that's how to be more assertive. So try that and follow me.
