The communication it is one of the essential pillars in a happy relationship. Assertive communication influences friendship, partner, family relationships and, of course, also in the professional context. Assertive communication is rewarding even in the relationship that a person establishes with himself. What is assertive communication? Assertiveness is the attitude that a person has when expressing their point of view in a clear way and in a totally respectful way before the interlocutor.
Understanding the importance of Assertive Communication with an example that occurs very frequently
The assertive communication avoid frequent mistakes such as personal attacks and reproaches (which generate even more distance in communication) and bet on expressing feelings in the first person. Here is a clear example of what assertiveness is.
For example, when two friends meet to go to the movies and one of them is half an hour late without prior notice, three possible situations can occur:
1. There are people who in this type of situation can act passively by repressing their discomfort and welcoming the friend as if they hadn't been uncomfortable from a long wait.
2. On the opposite side of the balance is the possible aggressive attitude of that friend who, tired of waiting and with his patience exhausted, receives his friend with reproaches and a fit of anger.
3. On the contrary, there is also a third possible attitude (the healthiest), which is assertive attitude. An assertive person, in this type of situation, could express their point of view in this way: "I feel hurt when you arrive so late and do not give advance notice because I feel that you do not value my time." That is, it is a phrase in which the person justifies their way of feeling based on an objective fact.
An effective alternative to aggressiveness or passivity
Why is the assertive communication versus aggressiveness or passivity? Because it is a type of dialogue that enhances empathy between the sender and the receiver, therefore, there is a rapprochement in personal positions, which enhances mutual understanding.
There are some words that are a clear example of an assertive message: thank you, sorry and please. Messages that when reinforced in the professional context, also improve the work environment thanks to a friendly and enriching communicative environment.
