THE ASSERTIVE WAY!

Assertiveness can contribute to the better use of leader’s time by enabling them to deal more effectively with interruptions. Assertiveness is defined as the capacity to express our ideas, opinions of feelings openly and directly without putting down ourselves or others.

Recently, attention has been given not only to identifying assertive right, but also to training people in assertiveness. Assertive rights are based on the fundamental notion that each individual adult is ultimate judge of his or her own behaviour. It implies taking personal responsibility for one’s actions.

The right to say ‘no’ is difficult for most people to accept. They feel that they ought not to say no because it is uncooperative, selfish etc.

Assertiveness training attempts to emphasize the importance for individual rights of the capacity to say ‘no’ without feeling guilty about it, and points out that saying ‘no’ we are rejecting the request not the person.

Making better use of one’s personal rights can enable leaders to fend off many of the interruptions inflicted on them by others, and thus create more space for themselves at work.

Similar considerations apply to the right not to feel obliged to take responsibility for others people’s problem.