How confident do you feel yourself to be when it comes to effectively asserting yourself in certain situation such as presenting yourself at the workplace, social settings, or at home. This whenever your input or opinion is needed.
The majority of people under these circumstance find it a little difficult to be assertive under certain conditions, whether it’s the delegation or the direction of others, or when assigning orders or asking for something in their personal lives.
One of the most common barriers being a parallel which exists between becoming too overbearing, annoying, or aggressive instead of being assertive. It’s believed that you can quickly lose credibility along with any moral high ground that you may of established the instance that you display signs of unjustified aggression.
To be more assertive, begin by appearing as calm, cool, and collected as possible, while being persistent while staying focused and in control. Make sure that you repeat whatever it is that you want listing the reasons why, and then listen for feedback.
Ask them to reconsider the implications of not doing whatever it is that you’re requesting. Never threaten them, begin shouting or becoming a bully. Make sure that you stick to your guns while outlining the consequences, and why it’s important that they carry out the act.
Raising Your Expectations
Expect that you’ll be heard, that they’ll listen to you, then you’ll be amazed at the difference once you’re mentally prepared. Think of yourself as a lion tamer who never shows any fear, otherwise they’ll sense your nervousness and attack.
Make clear concise expectations on yourself along with others, while not expecting them to read what’s on your mind. Always articulate exactly what you’re expecting from them and why.
Having A Defined Physical Presence
Be aware of how you use and control your body language, as doing so can make a huge impact on how others view and treat you. It’s all part of the expecting them to listen to you mentality.
Make sure that you hold your head high at all times without becoming arrogant, be a force to be reckoned with, even without saying a word. If you appear intimidated or timid, they will sniff you out immediately.
If you’re at the workplace or a social setting, always decide beforehand where you’re going to sit, or how you can rearrange the room to your advantage when you’re planning an engagement with others.
Make sure that you find the power seat, whether behind a desk or face to face, this since doing so has a direct bearing on how the interaction will progress. Never give any mixed messages.
Learning To Control And Project Your Voice
The tone of your voice has a major impact on whether you’ll be heard or not. So make it a point that you take a deep breath and clear your throat so that your voice becomes steady and sustained.
Think about what you want to say beforehand and in what order, the exact message which you want to get across. Make sure you avoid any forms of shouting, whining, nagging, or finger pointing.
There’s no point in raising your voice as you just need to simply say what you need to as firmly as possible in a even keeled dominant voice. Make sure that you know how you sound first, privately. Never mumble or slur your words as you’ll lose instant credibility.
Make sure that you use the correct pronunciations that you’re wanting to say, delivering the exact pitch and tone. Do so by breathing deeply while protecting your vocal cords.
Making Sure That Your Ready
Once you’re prepared, you’ll then be able to speak with confidence and authority, so make sure that you’re aware of all the potential issues which may come up.
Everything will then fall into place because you’ve made the proper preparations on what you want to say, which comes particularly important especially if you’re planning to speak in front of a group of people.
Make Sure You Create Instant Rapport
During the initial introduction, it’s always important to immediately connect with the person or group that you’re dealing with. Be as open and friendly as possible, smile and be radiant.
Think Of The “Language” That You’re Going To Use
Dictating your stream of speech can be extremely powerful. You can begin with a positive statement which will set the tone while placing them at ease.
The reason being that if you constantly ask others for a favor, then they’ll begin to think and believe that they’re always helping you do a favor, this instead of it being a part of their job description.
Always Display Your Gratitude
Once someone has done whatever it was you asked of them, it becomes extremely important to always acknowledge their effort. By doing so, they’ll be a lot more inclined to help you out again in the future. Usually just a simple “Thank You” will suffice.
Inject A Bit Of Humor
Supply comic relief but use it appropriately and never direct it at your colleague or clients expense. Make fun of yourself instead of others as what doing so does is it relaxes everyone.
To Become Assertive
Those who feel that being assertive is a difficult thing to do often assumes that everyone else finds it an easy process. While the truth being that most people will feel anxious in certain situations.
What’s surprising is that whenever you talk to someone who comes across as extremely overly confident and loud, the reality is that they’re either insecure or nervous. Coming across as assertive makes all the difference, and you can do so with a bit of focused practice.